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
Project Coordinator / Project Support Officer
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering scheduling, minute-taking, document management, stakeholder communication, and basic project tracking. Getting really good at anticipating project needs.
You're ready to move on when
- You're the go-to person for keeping projects organised and on track.
- You've successfully supported multiple projects simultaneously.
- You're comfortable chasing people for information without being annoying.
- You actively look for ways to improve administrative processes.
- 2
Executive Assistant / Business Administrator
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Exceptional organisational skills, calendar management, preparing materials for senior leadership, handling sensitive information, and proactive problem-solving.
You're ready to move on when
- You've managed complex calendars and meeting logistics for senior leaders.
- You're adept at preparing presentations and reports for executive review.
- You can anticipate needs and proactively address potential issues.
- You've demonstrated discretion and handled confidential information reliably.
- 3
Operations Coordinator (e.g., in a startup or smaller firm)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Wearing multiple hats, setting up new processes, managing vendor relationships, and a strong bias for action in a less structured environment.
You're ready to move on when
- You've been involved in setting up or improving operational processes.
- You're comfortable working in a dynamic, sometimes ambiguous environment.
- You've managed various administrative or logistical tasks independently.
- You're keen to bring structure to a fast-moving area like innovation.