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
From Performance Improvement Consultant (L2)
2-3 years as an L2Skills to master
- Moving from owning workstreams to leading entire projects, managing more complex stakeholders, and mentoring junior team members. You'll need to demonstrate consistent project delivery and strong influencing skills.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led 3+ medium-sized projects independently.
- Consistently received high stakeholder feedback scores.
- Actively mentored junior colleagues, even informally.
- Demonstrated ability to navigate project roadblocks and political challenges.
- 2
From External Consulting (Senior Consultant level)
Direct entry, assuming relevant experienceSkills to master
- Adapting to the nuances of internal consulting (e.g., building long-term relationships vs. short-term engagements), understanding our specific organisational culture and systems, and transitioning from advisory to hands-on implementation.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven track record of leading projects in client-facing roles.
- Strong experience in process improvement methodologies.
- Ability to quickly build rapport and credibility internally.
- Comfortable with being accountable for implementation, not just recommendations.
- 3
From a Senior Business Analyst or Project Manager role
3-5 years in a relevant BA/PM roleSkills to master
- Deepening expertise in process mapping and analysis, developing formal change management skills, and shifting from project delivery to driving fundamental operational change. You'll need to demonstrate a proactive, problem-solving mindset beyond just managing tasks.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivered projects with a strong focus on process efficiency.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and solve root causes of operational issues.
- Seeked out opportunities to lead process-focused initiatives.
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills.