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
Senior Performance Consulting Specialist (Internal)
3-5 years as a Senior ConsultantSkills to master
- Leading small-to-medium projects end-to-end, managing client relationships at the manager/director level, and consistently mentoring junior colleagues. You'll need to prove you can deliver independently and take initiative.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivers projects on time and achieves measurable KPI improvements.
- Receives strong positive feedback from senior stakeholders on influence and collaboration.
- Has successfully mentored at least two junior consultants to a higher level of autonomy.
- Proactively identifies and scopes new project opportunities without explicit direction.
- 2
External Management Consultant
8-10 years in a reputable external consulting firm (e.g., 'Big Four' or specialist boutique)Skills to master
- Experience leading complex client engagements, managing project teams, and developing strategic recommendations. You'll need to translate that external client focus to an internal stakeholder mindset.
You're ready to move on when
- Demonstrable experience leading engagement teams and managing project P&L.
- Strong track record of developing and presenting strategic solutions to senior client leadership.
- Adaptability to corporate culture and ability to build internal credibility quickly.
- Understanding of internal dynamics and how they differ from external client relationships.
- 3
Senior Operational Excellence/Process Improvement Manager
8-12 years in a dedicated operational excellence or process improvement role within a large organisationSkills to master
- Deep expertise in Lean Six Sigma or similar methodologies, a strong track record of driving significant operational improvements, and experience managing a team of process analysts or specialists.
You're ready to move on when
- Successful delivery of multiple large-scale operational improvement programmes.
- Proven ability to manage and coach a team of process specialists.
- Strong analytical and data-driven problem-solving capabilities.
- Experience influencing cross-functional operational leaders.