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 Business Development Manager (L3)
3-5 years as an L3Skills to master
- Consistently exceeding targets for projects up to £50M, independently managing the full sales cycle, developing strong client relationships, and demonstrating early leadership potential by informally mentoring junior colleagues.
You're ready to move on when
- A personal pipeline consistently exceeding £100M.
- A bid-hit ratio of 20%+ on competitive bids.
- Positive feedback from internal teams on your collaboration and ability to drive consensus.
- Proactively identifying and pursuing new market opportunities without direct instruction.
- 2
Senior Project Manager (Construction) with Commercial Acumen
5-8 years in project management, transitioning to salesSkills to master
- Deep understanding of project delivery, cost control, and client management from an operational perspective. Developing strong commercial negotiation skills and a desire to move into client acquisition.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully delivered multiple complex construction projects on time and budget.
- Demonstrated ability to manage client expectations and resolve commercial disputes effectively.
- A strong internal network and understanding of our operational capabilities.
- Expressed a clear interest and aptitude for business development and client-facing roles.
- 3
Consultant (Construction Sector) with Sales Experience
4-7 years in consulting, with a focus on business developmentSkills to master
- Strategic advisory skills, market analysis, and a proven ability to generate and close consulting engagements within the construction industry. Translating client problems into actionable solutions.
You're ready to move on when
- A track record of winning and delivering consulting projects for construction clients.
- Strong analytical and presentation skills, with a focus on value articulation.
- An existing network of senior contacts within the construction industry.
- A clear understanding of the sales process and a desire to move into a direct sales role.