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 Onboarding Specialist (Internal Promotion)
3-5 years as a Senior SpecialistSkills to master
- You'd have already mastered improving existing programmes, leading content refresh projects, and mentoring junior team members. You'd also be comfortable presenting to department leads.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led 2-3 significant programme improvement projects end-to-end.
- Consistently received positive feedback on mentorship and guidance provided to junior colleagues.
- Demonstrated ability to influence mid-level stakeholders and secure their buy-in.
- Proactively identified and proposed solutions to complex onboarding challenges.
- 2
L&D Program Manager (from another specialism)
5-7 years in a broader L&D roleSkills to master
- Experience designing and managing learning programmes in areas like leadership development or technical training. You'd need to quickly get up to speed on the specific nuances of new hire experience and early career talent.
You're ready to move on when
- Strong track record of managing complex learning projects with cross-functional teams.
- Demonstrated ability to apply instructional design principles to diverse learning needs.
- Proven experience evaluating programme effectiveness and reporting on ROI.
- A genuine interest and passion for the new hire journey and employee experience.
- 3
HR Business Partner (with L&D focus)
6-8 years as an HRBPSkills to master
- You'd bring a deep understanding of business needs, talent challenges, and stakeholder management. You'd need to develop stronger instructional design and learning technology skills, but your business acumen would be invaluable.
You're ready to move on when
- Demonstrated ability to consult with business leaders on talent-related challenges.
- Strong understanding of the employee lifecycle and its touchpoints.
- Experience driving people initiatives that impact business outcomes.
- A clear desire to specialise in the learning and development space.