The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Global Mobility Specialist (L2)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Managing a diverse caseload of standard assignments, preparing accurate cost estimates, and effectively resolving routine escalations with vendors and assignees.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently high assignee satisfaction scores for your cases.
- Successfully managing 90%+ of cases without needing manager intervention.
- Proactively identifying and flagging potential issues before they escalate.
- Taking initiative to mentor new joiners or share knowledge with the team.
- 2
HR Business Partner (with Mobility Focus)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Understanding broader HR strategy, employee relations, talent management, and how mobility fits into the overall HR landscape. It's about shifting from a specialist to a generalist with a deep niche.
You're ready to move on when
- Demonstrating strong relationships with business leaders and HRBPs.
- Proactively advising on talent deployment beyond just mobility specifics.
- Taking on projects that bridge mobility and wider HR initiatives.
- Showing a keen interest in broader HR challenges and solutions.
- 3
International Tax Consultant (from a Big 4 firm)
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Adapting from a client-facing advisory role to an in-house operational and strategic one. This means understanding internal processes, managing internal stakeholders, and translating complex tax advice into practical company policy.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven ability to manage multiple client engagements and deadlines.
- Strong communication skills, able to simplify complex tax concepts.
- A desire to work within a single organisation, influencing internal strategy.
- Experience with global mobility clients and understanding their operational challenges.