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
Workplace Change Specialist (L2)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering communication plan drafting, survey design and analysis, managing a 'Change Champion' network, and owning specific workstreams within larger projects. Basically, getting really good at the 'doing' parts of change.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering high-quality outputs on assigned change management tasks.
- Proactively identifying and proposing solutions to emerging resistance.
- Demonstrating strong informal leadership within project workstreams.
- Successfully managing stakeholder relationships within your scope.
- 2
Project Manager (with Change Focus)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Developing strong project planning, risk management, and stakeholder communication skills, specifically applied to projects with a significant people-change component. Understanding how to integrate change activities into a broader project plan.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully delivered several complex projects on time and within budget.
- Demonstrated ability to manage project risks related to human adoption.
- Strong track record of effective communication with project sponsors and teams.
- A clear interest and aptitude for the 'people' side of project delivery.
- 3
Senior HR/Internal Communications Specialist
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Deepening understanding of organisational design, employee engagement, and strategic internal communications. Translating HR/Comms expertise into a facilities context, focusing on employee experience during transitions.
You're ready to move on when
- Led significant internal communications campaigns for organisational initiatives.
- Played a key role in employee engagement programmes or cultural change efforts.
- Demonstrated ability to influence senior leaders on people-related issues.
- A clear desire to specialise in the physical and digital workplace experience.