A job title structure reflects both market conventions and organisation-specific requirements. Well-designed job titles are consistent, clear and scalable across the organisation.
Ideally, a job title follows this format:
[Rank] + [Role] + [Area of Expertise]
Senior Specialist Finance
Alternatively, a recognised professional designation may be used:
[Rank] + [Professional Title]
Senior Controller
Based on organisational analysis and job evaluation, a consistent job title structure can be developed across all business units.
Below is an illustrative progression aligned with job grades:
Operator
Senior Operator
Junior Technician
Technician / Junior Specialist
Senior Technician / Specialist
Senior Specialist
Junior Analyst
Analyst
Senior Analyst
Expert
Senior Expert
Principal Expert
Supervisor
Team Manager
Manager
Senior Manager
Director
Un- / Semi-Skilled Labour: Grades 16–14
Middle-Skilled Labour: Grades 13–10
High-Skilled / Professionals: Grades 9–6
Management: Grades 5–1
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
09
08
07
06
05
04
03
02
01
Sr. Operator
Operator
Un-/Semi-Skill-Labor
Sr. Specialist
Sr. Technician / Specialist
Technician / Jr. Specialist
Jr. Technician
Middle-Skill-Labor
Principial Expert
Sr. Expert
Expert
Sr. Analyst
Analyst
Jr. Analyst
High-Skill-Labor / Professionals
Director
Sr. Manager
Manager
Team Manager
Supervisor
Manager
In this example:
Roles for unskilled or semi-skilled labour are titled Operator or Senior Operator, depending on grade
Leadership roles graded at levels 12 or 13 are titled Manager
Titles are supplemented with functional areas, such as:
Operator Logistics / Operator Production
Manager Accounting / Manager HR Administration
Job title structures typically align with clearly defined career paths, allowing progression without forcing employees into management roles.
Management roles focus on disciplinary leadership, organisational responsibility and budget accountability.
Typical titles include:
CEO
Managing Director
President
CxO
Executive Vice President
Extended Board Member
Vice President
Director
Team Leader
Team Manager
Vice President
Management titles often reflect company culture and may function as status symbols or purely operational designations. Ideally, managers focus on leadership, while technical expertise remains within specialist roles.
Engineering careers usually follow a structured progression from entry to senior expertise.
Typical titles include:
Fellow
Distinguished Engineer
Senior Technical Expert
Senior Architect
Technical Expert
Architect
Senior Engineer
Engineer
Junior Engineer
Trainee
Senior roles are typically assigned based on expertise, business need or functional responsibility.
This path covers skilled trades and production roles.
Typical titles include:
Supervisor
Foreman
Technician
Master Craftsman
Craftsman
Tradesman
Worker
Operator
Operative
Apprentice
Common roles include electricians, mechanics, welders, plumbers, fitters and similar skilled trades.
Specialist careers often follow a two-tier structure:
A structured progression at junior and mid levels
Select senior roles accessible based on outstanding expertise or organisational need
Typical titles include:
Principal
Head of …
Senior Expert
Expert
Senior Specialist
Specialist
Junior Specialist
Trainee
Consulting organisations typically operate with clearly defined career ladders linked to competencies, project roles and billing rates.
Typical titles include:
Partner
Associate Partner
Senior Manager
Managing Consultant
Manager
Senior Consultant
Consultant
Associate Consultant
Business Analyst
Support roles range from semi-skilled to specialised professional positions.
Typical titles include:
Lead Clerk
Lead Administrator
Lead Advisor
Senior Clerk
Senior Administrator
Senior Advisor
Clerk
Administrator
Advisor
Junior Clerk
Junior Administrator
Junior Advisor
Apprentice
While many roles require on-the-job training, specialised support roles (e.g. accounting or case work) often require formal qualifications.
Project managers are responsible for planning, coordinating and delivering time-limited initiatives.
Typical titles include:
Project Director
Senior Project Director
Senior Project Leader
Project Manager
Project Leader
Project Coordinator
Project Assistant
Titles often correlate with project size, complexity and budget responsibility.
Sales titles often reflect scope, responsibility and geographic coverage.
Typical titles include:
VP of Sales
Senior Project Leader
Sales Director
Project Leader
Sales Manager
Key Account Manager
Sales Coordinator
Sales Consultant
Sales Representative
Sales Person
Account Executive
Sales Trainee
Geographic scope (District, Regional, National, International) is commonly used to differentiate levels.
Job titles, job families, career paths & competency profiles - the building blocks of a clear job architecture

Define grades, career paths & job families for a fair, transparent organization.
