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
Director of Global Workplace Services (L6)
3-5 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Deepen expertise in global portfolio management, master executive-level influencing, build a strong track record of P&L ownership and strategic project delivery. Focus on developing a global leadership mindset.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed a global P&L of £5M+ and delivered significant cost savings.
- Led a major global capital project (e.g., a new HQ fit-out) from inception to completion, on time and on budget.
- Consistently presented strategic recommendations to the C-suite that were adopted and successfully executed.
- Built and mentored a high-performing global team of 10+ managers and specialists.
- 2
Head of Real Estate for a Large Multinational (External)
5-7 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of diverse global markets, prove ability to navigate complex international regulations, and showcase experience in M&A real estate integration. Build a strong external network.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed a multi-billion pound global real estate portfolio for another large, complex organisation.
- Led real estate due diligence and integration for significant M&A transactions.
- Successfully negotiated major global leases and property disposals with demonstrable financial impact.
- Presented strategic real estate plans to the Board or equivalent executive body.
- 3
Senior Partner/Director in a Global Real Estate Consulting Firm
7-10 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Transition from advisory to direct operational and P&L accountability. Develop a deep understanding of internal corporate dynamics and build a global in-house team. Focus on execution and long-term strategy ownership.
You're ready to move on when
- Led major strategic real estate consulting engagements for Fortune 500 clients.
- Developed and implemented global workplace strategies for multiple organisations.
- Demonstrated strong client relationship management at the C-suite level.
- Proven ability to translate complex strategic advice into actionable, measurable outcomes.