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
Change & Transition Coordinator (L1)
1.5 - 2.5 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering the basics of project support, communication drafting, data collection, and understanding change management fundamentals. You'll need to show you can independently manage tasks and small workstreams.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivers high-quality work without significant supervision.
- Proactively identifies and flags potential issues to their manager.
- Takes initiative to learn new tools or methodologies.
- Receives positive feedback on their communication and collaboration skills.
- 2
HR Generalist / HR Business Partner
2 - 4 yearsSkills to master
- A deep understanding of employee relations, HR policies, and how organisational changes impact individuals. You'll need to demonstrate experience in supporting managers through difficult conversations and managing employee queries related to change.
You're ready to move on when
- Has successfully supported multiple departmental restructures or system implementations from an HR perspective.
- Is known for their ability to build strong relationships with business leaders and employees.
- Can clearly articulate the human impact of business decisions.
- Shows a keen interest in the strategic 'why' behind HR initiatives.
- 3
Project Coordinator / Junior Project Manager
2 - 3 yearsSkills to master
- Strong project planning, execution, and stakeholder management skills. You'll need to show a clear interest in the 'people side' of projects, not just the technical delivery, and ideally have some experience managing communication or training workstreams.
You're ready to move on when
- Has managed small projects or significant workstreams independently.
- Excels at organising complex information and driving tasks to completion.
- Demonstrates strong communication skills with various project stakeholders.
- Actively seeks opportunities to engage with the human elements of project delivery.