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
Manager, Global Project Portfolio (L5)
3-5 years at L5Skills to master
- At L5, you'd have mastered portfolio optimisation, resource allocation across multiple programmes, and driving benefits realisation. You'd also be comfortable managing a team of L4s and regularly presenting to senior VPs.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding portfolio ROI targets and strategic goal attainment.
- Successfully led the integration of a major acquisition or a multi-year business transformation programme.
- Recognised as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on strategic investment decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to build and develop a high-performing team of programme managers.
- 2
Head of Strategy for a Smaller Business Unit
4-6 years in a similar roleSkills to master
- Coming from a Head of Strategy role, you'd have a strong foundation in strategic planning, market analysis, and business case development. You'd need to deepen your expertise in the execution and governance of large, complex portfolios.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully developed and implemented a growth strategy for a business unit, showing clear P&L impact.
- Proven ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable initiatives and secure executive buy-in.
- Experience managing a small team of strategists or project managers.
- Strong understanding of the operational challenges of executing strategy in a global context.
- 3
Senior Consultant from a Top-Tier Strategy Firm
8-10 years post-MBA consulting experienceSkills to master
- You'd bring exceptional analytical rigour, problem-solving skills, and experience advising C-suite clients on complex strategic issues. You'd need to adapt to the internal dynamics of a large organisation and gain hands-on experience in long-term portfolio ownership and team leadership.
You're ready to move on when
- Led multiple large-scale strategic projects for global clients, with demonstrable impact.
- Strong client relationship management at the executive level.
- Proven ability to structure complex problems and develop actionable recommendations.
- Experience managing engagement teams and developing junior consultants.