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
Lead Solutions Design Consultant (Internal)
3-5 years as a LeadSkills to master
- Mastering large programme management, developing a strong coaching style, building a track record of influencing senior managers, and taking accountability for significant business outcomes.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led 3+ complex, cross-functional programmes from design to successful handover.
- Consistently received strong feedback on your ability to influence and manage challenging stakeholders.
- Demonstrated capability in mentoring and developing junior team members, with visible results.
- Proactively identified and championed new strategic initiatives beyond your immediate project scope.
- 2
Senior Manager / Principal in External Consulting
5-7 years in external consulting at a similar levelSkills to master
- Adapting to an internal client model (less 'project-based', more 'relationship-based'), understanding our specific organisational culture and politics, and building internal credibility. You'll need to learn how to thrive without the 'external expert' badge.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience leading large client engagements and managing project teams in a top-tier consulting firm.
- Proven ability to manage client relationships at a senior executive level.
- Strong track record of developing and selling consulting engagements (which translates to internal influence here).
- A genuine desire to make a long-term impact within one organisation.
- 3
Head of Business Improvement / Process Excellence (within a large organisation)
4-6 years in a similar internal leadership roleSkills to master
- Broadening your scope from process-specific improvements to holistic solution design, developing a more strategic, portfolio-level view, and building a team of multi-disciplinary consultants.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led a dedicated business improvement function or team.
- Demonstrated ability to drive significant operational efficiencies and cost savings.
- Experience in developing and implementing continuous improvement frameworks.
- Strong understanding of how process excellence links directly to strategic business outcomes.