Leadership Level Pathway

This table sets out the overarching Leadership pathway. For more detailed information about the descriptors for each of the levels, you can either click on the boxes and a pop-up will appear, or click on the level at the top, for e.g. L3, and it will take you to a separate page which provides more detail about that level.

L3    L4    L5    L6    L7   
L3 - Elvie Values

Demonstrates

Consistently demonstrates Elvie values. For e.g. no ego, respectful, strong team player, proactively comes with options for solutions to problems, i.e. doesn't just grumble about issues and ways of working.
L3 - People Management

Developing Manager

Entry level line management role. Provides direct supervision to one or more junior individual contributors, usually in a single discipline.

Assigns tasks to their team and monitors work at frequent intervals. A portion of time is normally spent performing individual tasks related to the team.

Developing understanding of people management practices, including professional development, effective 1:1s, handling difficult management situations, performance management etc.
L3 - Managing Change

New to Change Management

Limited experience of organisational design and change management.
L3 - Craft Knowledge

Knows Their Stuff

Demonstrates strong generalist knowledge and understanding of their craft and often advises others on difficult matters. Uses expertise to guide their direct reports/team.
L3 - Elvie Knowledge

Emerging

Emerging understanding of wider Elvie context and goals.
L3 - Planning and Strategy

Develops Routine/Operational Plans (Team Level)

Develops and manages routine operational plans for their team.

Receives assignments based on short-term objectives and manages operational initiatives to deliver tactical results.
L3 - Procedures and Practices

Adapts Existing

Provides direction to employees according to established policies, procedures and management guidance.

Identifies where existing team and craft-level processes, procedures and practices can be improved/enhanced and suggests variations in approach.
L3 - Scope and Complexity

Diverse Scope - Key Contributor to Projects

Works on tasks and problems of diverse scope where analysis of information requires evaluation of variable factors.

Key contributor to projects. May assume responsibility for smaller projects in their entirety or key workstreams on larger projects.
L3 - Problem Solving and Judgement

Unusual: Well Reasoned Solutions

Employs analytical and problem solving techniques to assess unusual issues and identify causes. Exercises judgment and interpretation of procedures and policies to determine appropriate action and make well-reasoned decisions related to their area of work.

Acts as guide to their team and may become actively involved, as required, to resolve problems.
L3 - Reliability and Delivery

Regularly Delivers

Regularly delivers work to a good standard with minimal need for correction or significant feedback. Refines and improves each time they do something.
L3 - Anticipation

Identifies and Addresses Problems

Identifies problems related work to their own work and their team's work and takes initiative to address these before they escalate.
L3 - Efficiency and Productivity

Prioritises Effectively

Capable of prioritising tasks; avoids getting caught up in unimportant details. Provides clear expectations for their direct reports and assists them to re-prioritise, as needed.
L3 - Independence

Mostly Independent with Some Support

Work is done independently and is reviewed at critical points. May make routine operational decisions related to their team independently, seeking guidance and direction when more complex issues arise.
L3 - Collaboration and Interaction

Gains Cooperation and Builds Effective Relationships

Gains cooperation and builds effective relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners related to their area of work.

Interactions are mainly with direct team, supervisors, peer groups and external customers and stakeholders related to their area of work.
L3 - Communication and Influence

Adapts Style and Persuades

Communicates effectively within own team and across other teams.

Writes reports and presents technical information concerning specific projects or programs. Able to adapt communication style to differing audiences, including advising and presenting to people not familiar with the subject matter, which may require skills of persuasion and diplomacy.
L3 - Feedback

Seeks and Gives (Team)

Seeks feedback from their team and gives regular, helpful feedback to their team.

Reflects on feedback in a non-defensive way and uses it to inform development plans and approaches
L4 - Elvie Values

Promotes

Actively lives and promotes Elvie values in behaviours and approaches within their team. Proactively contributes to initiatives and projects that support and build Elvie's culture
L4 - People Management

Established Manager

Manages the activities of multiple sections or a discipline. Likely to manage individual contributors and/or junior managers.

Delivers results through direct reports, providing significant direction and technical advice to their team. Guides by function or department practices and well-defined management precedents.

Sound understanding and application of people management practices, including professional development, performance management, handing difficult management situations.
L4 - Managing Change

Implements Change (Team Level)

Manages the implementation of change within their direct team. Recognises the impact of change on others and leads through positive behaviour and coaching.

Able to define resource requirements for their team and evolve and develop job roles to meet business needs.
L4 - Craft Knowledge

Depth and Breadth

Exhibits wide-ranging and more in-depth knowledge of their craft and its relationship with different crafts.

Builds and applies knowledge of best practice and industry trends and supports their direct reports to build their expertise by sharing knowledge and learning.
L4 - Elvie Knowledge

Sound

Sound understanding of wider Elvie context and goals.
L4 - Planning and Strategy

Translates and Executes Functional Plans (For Sub Function)

Translates functional plans into operational processes and guides execution.

Receives objective based assignments based on functional plans, and determines resources to meet schedules and goals. Develops and manages operational initiatives to deliver tactical results.
L4 - Procedures and Practices

Determines Approach (Sub-Function)

Directs the application of existing principles and policies and supports the development of new processes and approaches within their craft.

Determines methods and procedures on new assignments or projects.
L4 - Scope and Complexity

Complex - Scopes and Manages Projects

Works on complex issues where analysis of situations or data requires an in-depth evaluation of variable factors.

Scopes and manages projects of increasing complexity.
L4 - Problem Solving and Judgement

Complex: Sound Solutions

Uses knowledge and acumen to resolve more complex issues. Able to determine solutions and actions based on more limited information and precedent.

Identifies and proposes sound solutions to problems affecting their team.
L4 - Reliability and Delivery

Consistently Delivers

Consistently delivers work to a high standard. Gets it right first time - or pretty close. Pushes boundaries, but is pragmatic and realistic about what is possible.
L4 - Anticipation

Identifies and Mitigates Risks

Able to spot potential risks and pitfalls related to current work, demonstrating an ability to avoid problems before they happen.
L4 - Efficiency and Productivity

Productive and Efficient

Works productively and efficiently. Proactively clears roadblocks for their team.
L4 - Independence

Independent, Minimal Direction

Works with a high-degree of autonomy and minimal direction. Work is reviewed upon completion and is consistent with objectives.
L4 - Collaboration and Interaction

Trusted Partner

Communicates and partners effectively across teams and builds trusted relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners related to their area of work.

Interacts internally at a more senior levels regarding important issues within their own team, and begins to develop relationships with leaders across the organisation.
L4 - Communication and Influence

Influencer, Reads the Room

Communicates their point of view in a compelling way and is able to use persuasion and influence in delivering ideas, recommendations and messages that relate to the wider business.

Conveys advanced and complex information in a clear and accessible way.
L4 - Feedback

Seeks and Gives (Outside Team)

Seeks and gives provides regular, constructive feedback both within and outside of their direct team.

Actively reflects on feedback and uses it to inform own development and approaches. Able to help and guide their team to reflect on feedback and set development goals.
L5 - Elvie Values

Cultural Role Model

Role models Elvie values to both within and outside of their team. Leads initiatives and approaches that positively promote and build Elvie's culture and is proactive in finding solutions to cultural challenges. Recognised for their impact on team culture.
L5 - People Management

Solid Manager, developing Leader

Manages activities of one or more disciplines. Likely to line manage a small team of more experienced individual contributors and managers.

Scales themselves by their emerging ability to delegate work effectively to team members; ensures tasks are completed without micromanaging.

Solid manager and developing leader who is confident in their knowledge and application of effective people management practices. Adopts a coaching style in their approach to management and supports their teams to develop and grow.
L5 - Managing Change

Implements Change (Team Level)

Manages the implementation of change within their direct team. Recognises the impact of change on others and leads through positive behaviour and coaching.

Able to define resource requirements for their team and evolve and develop job roles to meet business needs.
L5 - Craft Knowledge

Subject Matter Expert

Applies broad and specialised expertise in their craft and/or several related crafts. Is recognized internally as a subject matter expert.
L5 - Elvie Knowledge

Strong

Strong understanding of wider Elvie context and goals.
L5 - Planning and Strategy

Informs and Executes Strategy (Sub-Function and Function)

Contributes to the development of strategy for a function, craft or multi sub-departments.

Guides execution of functional strategy within their team/sub-function through the establishment of team level OKRs and work plans. Delegates assignments to direct reports and uses OKRs to help focus their team's efforts.
L5 - Procedures and Practices

Designs Appropriate (Function)

Leads the design and development of appropriate craft-level policies, processes, models and approaches.
L5 - Scope and Complexity

Significant - Manages Complex Projects

Works on significant and unique issues where analysis of situations or data requires an evaluation of variable factors, some of which are intangible, ambiguous or unknown.

Scopes and manages large, complex projects involving multiple, cross-functional teams.
L5 - Problem Solving and Judgement

Advanced: Creative Solutions

Applies advanced problem solving techniques and conceptual thinking to understand critical issues and implications, quickly breaking down complex problems into potential solutions, knowns and unknowns in order to get solid resolutions faster.

Provides solutions to issues in creative and effective ways within own craft.

Guides their team to solve complex techical issues that require investigation and analysis.
L5 - Reliability and Delivery

Strong Track Record

Strong track record of delivery and creating improvements and positive changes in their department.
L5 - Anticipation

Anticipates Future Issues

Identifies and proactively addresses future issues before they grow into something bigger.
L5 - Efficiency and Productivity

Maximises Own and Others' Productivity

Connects their team's effort with organisational context, prioritising effectively based on OKRs. Exceeds at getting their team to focus on the highest impact work.

Reduces the complexity of projects and processes and maximise their own their teams' productivity.
L5 - Independence

Independent and Self-Directed (Craft/Team Level)

Autonomous and self-directed in their area of work. Makes independent operational and tactical decisions for their team and takes accountability for ensuring successful execution. Surfaces significant strategic issues and requirements to senior leadership.
L5 - Collaboration and Interaction

Networker and Activator

Creates formal networks internally and externally related to key issues and ideas both within and outside of their craft.

Interacts regularly with senior management and external partners/stakeholders, which frequently involves discussing and negotiating matters of significance concerning their functional area.May manage relationships with major external suppliers and partners (particualrly at L6 level).
L5 - Communication and Influence

Skilled Influencer & Facilitator, Builds Consensus

Skilled facilitator, who is able to listen to and guide debates to build consensus and convince diverse stakeholders on desired outcomes. Developing an ability to articulate a vision.

Able to influence others in sensitive and complex situations while preserving relationships.
L5 - Feedback

Seeks and Gives (Outside Team)

Seeks and gives provides regular, constructive feedback both within and outside of their direct team.

Actively reflects on feedback and uses it to inform own development and approaches. Able to help and guide their team to reflect on feedback and set development goals.
L6 - Elvie Values

Cultural Role Model

Role models Elvie values to both within and outside of their team. Leads initiatives and approaches that positively promote and build Elvie's culture and is proactive in finding solutions to cultural challenges. Recognised for their impact on team culture.
L6 - People Management

Established Leader

Leads the activities of a functional area or multiple integrated disciplines/teams.

Established leader who builds and supports high functioning, motivated teams and is comfortable managing people with different skills sets and areas of focus.

Leads and supports their function whilst continually achieving impact and improvements across their areas of responsibility.

Creates opportunities for direct reports to grow, coaching and developing managers in their team to be successful.
L6 - Managing Change

Partners Organisational Design and Change

Able to partner with senior management on organisational design for their functional area and lead implementation of change in their team. Empowers their team to understand the reasons for change and their role in it.
L6 - Craft Knowledge

Holistic Craft Knowledge

Understands deeply the end to end nature of their craft. Serves as an expert for specific areas of their craft and is comfortable guiding, supporting or leveraging the knowledge of people in their team, who might have different and/or more advanced expertise in certain areas.
L6 - Elvie Knowledge

Integrated

Integrated understanding of wider Elvie context and the interrelationships between different crafts and departments.
L6 - Planning and Strategy

Defines Functional Strategy and Supports Organisational Strategy

Participates with senior management to help develop organisational-level strategy and define functional strategy and priorities. Delivers strategic insights related to their function/craft area.

Effectively cascades functional strategy within their team, translating into functional plans and guiding execution.
L6 - Procedures and Practices

Conceptualises New (Function)

Applies extensive knowledge of theories and best practice to direct and guide the development of new ideas, approaches and policies both own craft.

Makes final decisions on implementation of functional policies and procedures and ensures operational effectiveness.
L6 - Scope and Complexity

All Encompassing - Leads Large, Critical Projects

Works on issues that impact Elvie's success and/or address future strategy, concepts and products.

Leads large projects that are business critical and may affect the whole organisation.
L6 - Problem Solving and Judgement

Critical: Solves the Most Difficult Problems

Works on complex issues where problems are not clearly defined and where fundamental principles do not fully apply. Capable of solving the most difficult and critical problems the team encounters.

Leads teams to solve critical technical, operational or organisational problems, using professional concepts to guide resolution.
L6 - Reliability and Delivery

Elvie Star

Impeccable track record of delivering improvements and impact within own department and the wider business. Makes real change in how Elvie delivers its business.
L6 - Anticipation

Forecasts Change (Craft)

Anticipates change and developments relating to their craft and ensures Elvie stays ahead of the curve.
L6 - Efficiency and Productivity

Maximises Own and Others' Productivity

Connects their team's effort with organisational context, prioritising effectively based on OKRs. Exceeds at getting their team to focus on the highest impact work.

Reduces the complexity of projects and processes and maximise their own their teams' productivity.
L6 - Independence

Independent and Self-Directed (Craft/Team Level)

Autonomous and self-directed in their area of work. Makes independent operational and tactical decisions for their team and takes accountability for ensuring successful execution. Surfaces significant strategic issues and requirements to senior leadership.
L6 - Collaboration and Interaction

Networker and Activator

Creates formal networks internally and externally related to key issues and ideas both within and outside of their craft.

Interacts regularly with senior management and external partners/stakeholders, which frequently involves discussing and negotiating matters of significance concerning their functional area.May manage relationships with major external suppliers and partners (particualrly at L6 level).
L6 - Communication and Influence

Drives Direction and Motivates

Leads internal conversations about areas of their job function/craft and builds consensus around direction. Uses this direction to engage and motivate their team.

Reconciles multiple stakeholder views (inc senior leaders) to drive business results, while confidently and sensitively managing any emerging conflict.
L6 - Feedback

Promotes Feedback

Actively promotes the giving and receiving of feedback to improve the effectiveness of others. Able to deliver difficult feedback constructively, including upwards.
L7 - Elvie Values

Cultural Ambassador

Drives broader organisational efforts around culture, work and values. Acts as a cultural ambassador both within and outside of Elvie.
L7 - People Management

Dynamic Leader

Leads the direction and activities of multiple functional areas through subordinate Heads of/Leads and Managers who have responsibility for the successful operation of assigned areas.

Recognised as an influential leader, with matrix leadership skills who is able to expertly lead and motivate individuals and teams that they do not directly line manage.

Proactively nutures the talent of senior people in their function. Solid understanding of people management strategies and how to develop leaders in their function to be successful.
L7 - Managing Change

Leads Organisational Change

Able to plan and lead large change programmes, effectively managing and supporting their function and wider teams through change, ambiguity and complexity.

Strategically plans for how people and processes scale.
L7 - Craft Knowledge

Thought Leader

Widely recognized as a thought leader in their craft by both internal and external community.

Clear expertise as a manager, leader and operator.
L7 - Elvie Knowledge

Strategic

Strategic understanding of wider Elvie context and the external environment in which the company operates, including commercial realities.
L7 - Planning and Strategy

Partner in Organisational Strategy

Key partner in the development of organisational-level strategy, playing an active role in all stages of the process. Delivers strategic insights and identifies unmet needs, markets or opportunities that the company could pursue.

Partners with the leadership team for the department to provide cohesive direction towards company goals. Translates organisational level strategy in their multi-functional areas, using team OKRs to ensure all teams under their leadership are pulling in the same direction.
L7 - Procedures and Practices

Conceptualises New (Elvie Wide)

Applies extensive knowledge of theories and best practice to direct and guide the development of new ideas, approaches, projects and policies both within own craft/function and across Elvie. Formulation of ideas requires a longer term view which takes account of strategic goals and objectives.

Implements company wide policies and practices.
L7 - Scope and Complexity

Leads Strategic Projects

Works consistently with abstract ideas or situations across functional areas of the business. Able to assess and assimilate complex data and and intangible variables to identify fundamental issues, providing strategy and direction for multiple functional areas.

Leads large strategic projects that support the drive of key commercial and cultural initiatives internally and externally and may affect Elvie's long-term success.
L7 - Problem Solving and Judgement

Complex, Elvie Wide: Strategic Solutions

Leads team(s) to solve highly complex, strategic company-wide matters.

Formulates strategic solutions based on a longer-term view, taking into account Elvie's strategy, goals and objectives.

Partners with Exec to make resolve critical organisational issues, which involves challenging decision-making whereby hard trade off decisions need to be made at a total Elvie level.
L7 - Reliability and Delivery

Elvie Star

Impeccable track record of delivering improvements and impact within own department and the wider business. Makes real change in how Elvie delivers its business.
L7 - Anticipation

Forecasts and Embraces Change

Anticipates external factors that could influence organisational strategies and position in the market.

Resilient and agile in the face of adversity and change.
L7 - Efficiency and Productivity

Builds a High Performance Function

Develops proven strategy, structure and processes that helps their team achieve outstanding results with clear understanding of context and goals.
L7 - Independence

Autonomous, Directs Self and Function(s)

Highly autonomous in leading their function. Makes key strategic decisions for a function/multiple functions and helps to influence the strategic decisions of the Exec.

Responsible and accountable for negotiating and making strategic decisions with major external partners.
L7 - Collaboration and Interaction

Elvie Driver

Trusted partner to the Exec who maintains well-developed relationships with senior leaders both internally and externally. Leads relationships with high profile partners, stakeholders and supppliers and creates formal networks with key decision makers.

External spokesperson for Elvie on key issues.
L7 - Communication and Influence

Influential Leader - Excites and Inspires Others

Influences organisational level policy and strategy based on communication strategies and persuasion skills. Recognized as an influential leader.

Leads conversations about the direction of their function and drives consensus to the adoption of this direction. Confidently articulates vision and direction for the team that excites and inspires, the team, senior leaders and partners.
L7 - Feedback

Promotes Feedback

Actively promotes the giving and receiving of feedback to improve the effectiveness of others. Able to deliver difficult feedback constructively, including upwards.

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Level Profile
Expedition Analogy
L3 Manager
An established performer who is likely to line manage mid and junior level ICs. Early management experience.
Guides team while rock climbing (Skills/training needed, risk-taking support systems in place)
L4 Senior Manager
A high-level performer with strong relationships and the ability to lead projects and line manage teams.
Leads extended alpine mountain-climbing trips (Experienced leadership required for multi-faceted environment)
L5 Lead
A high-level performer with strong relationships and the ability to lead people. Established management experience and early leadership experience.
Pilots expedition through unexpected snow storm. (Strong tactical decision-maker, handles unforeseen issues).
L6 Head of
Effective leader focused on building teams and process for high impact results. Proven management and leadership experience.
Controls search efforts to find missing hikers. (Strategic battle-tested leader, directs operational units).
L7 Director/VP
Dynamic leader, focussing on achieving company goals, growing talent and execution. Significant management and leadership experience, managing managers and multiple teams.
Directs efforts of both air and ground search parties (inspires action, coordinates simultaneous initiatives).
L3 Manager
L4 Senior Manager
L5 Lead
L6 Head of
L7 Director/VP
Elvie Values
Demonstrates
Promotes
Cultural role model
Cultural role model
Cultural ambassador
People Management
Developing manager
Established manager
Solid manager, developing leader
Established leader
Dynamic leader
Managing Change
New to change management
Implements change (team level)
Implements change (team level)
Partners organisational design and change
Leads organisational change
Craft Knowledge
Knows their stuff
Depth and breadth
Subject matter expert
Holistic craft knowledge
Thought leader
Elvie Knowledge
Emerging
Sound
Strong
Integrated
Strategic
Planning and Strategy
Develops routine/operational plans (team level)
Translates and executes functional plans (for sub function)
Informs and executes strategy (sub-function and function)
Defines functional strategy and supports organisational strategy
Partner in organisational strategy
Procedures and Practices
Adapts existing
Determines approach (sub-function)
Designs appropriate (function)
Conceptualises new (function)
Conceptualises new (Elvie wide)
Scope and Complexity
Diverse scope - key contributor to projects
Complex - scopes and manages projects
Significant - manages complex projects
All encompassing - leads large, critical projects
Leads strategic projects
Problem Solving and Judgement
Unusual: Well reasoned solutions
Complex: Sound solutions
Advanced: Creative solutions
Critical: Solves the most difficult problems
Complex, Elvie wide: Strategic solutions
Reliability and Delivery
Regularly delivers
Consistently delivers
Strong track record
Elvie star
Elvie star
Anticipation
Identifies and addresses problems
Identifies and mitigates risks
Anticipates future issues
Forecasts change (craft)
Forecasts and embraces change (craft and Elvie wide)
Efficiency and Productivity
Prioritises effectively
Productive and efficient
Maximises own and others' productivity
Maximises own and others' productivity
Builds a high performance function
Independence
Mostly independent with some support
Independent, minimal direction
Independent and self-directed (craft/team level)
Independent and self-directed (craft/team level)
Autonomous, directs self and function(s)
Collaboration and Interaction
Gains cooperation and builds effective relationships
Trusted partner
Networker and activator
Networker and activator
Elvie driver
Communication and Influence
Adapts style and persuades
Influencer, reads the room
Skilled influencer & facilitator, builds consensus
Drives direction and motivates
Influential leader - excites and inspires others
Feedback
Seeks and gives (team)
Seeks and gives (outside team)
Seeks and gives (outside team)
Promotes feedback
Promotes feedback

Leadership Profile / Analogy

This table provides an overarching profile for each level, along with an analogy to bring to life the general expectations of the role.

Learn more about Leadership Levels:

L3 Manager L4 Senior Manager L5 Lead L6 Head of L7 Director/VP