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
Regional Manager / General Manager (L5)
3-5 years in previous roleSkills to master
- P&L management for a smaller region, managing managers, strategic planning for regional operations, and institutional client relationship management.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding regional financial targets and operational KPIs.
- Successful development and retention of direct reports, with clear succession plans.
- Leading significant regional projects (e.g., new property onboarding or major system upgrades).
- 2
Head of Asset Management (from a smaller firm)
4-6 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Investment strategy, portfolio optimisation, advanced financial modelling, working with capital markets, and understanding owner objectives beyond day-to-day operations.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven ability to increase asset value through strategic management decisions.
- Successful disposition/acquisition projects and capital allocation strategies.
- Strong understanding of real estate financial performance and market drivers.
- 3
Senior Consultant (Real Estate Advisory)
5-7 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Strategic problem-solving for diverse real estate clients, deep market analysis, process improvement, change management, and presenting to executive clients.
You're ready to move on when
- Successful delivery of complex advisory projects with demonstrable client impact.
- Strong client feedback and repeat business from advisory engagements.
- Ability to translate strategic recommendations into actionable, implementable plans.