Inside Hilti’s Outperformer Programme: Developing Tomorrow’s Global Leaders

Written by the Hilti GB / Northern Europe employer brand team – sharing real stories and insights into life, culture and careers at Hilti.

 

At Hilti, leadership development doesn’t start once you’ve “earned your stripes.” It starts early – with trust, responsibility and exposure that stretches potential into real impact.

The Outperformer Programme is Hilti’s global leadership development programme, designed for high‑potential Master’s graduates who are ready to take on responsibility, learn fast, and build a truly international career. Over the course of two years, trainees rotate through roles across the business, work in different countries, and collaborate with colleagues and leaders from around the world – all from day one.

To bring the programme to life, we asked recent programme alumni of the Northern Europe region to share their perspectives on what it’s really like to be an Outperformer trainee – from early responsibility to global mobility and personal growth. You'll hear from:

• Geoff Palmer, Talent Project Manager, who started with Hilti GB
• Denise Chen, Product Manager, who started with Hilti Denmark
• Harry Gibson, Product Manager, who started with Hilti GB
• Teodor Eriksson, Product Manager, who started with Hilti Sweden

Real responsibility, from the very start

One of the defining features of the Outperformer Programme is the level of responsibility trainees are given early on. Whether on the Business or Finance track, trainees are placed at the heart of Hilti’s field-based customer‑focused business model – Sales Account Management – taking ownership rather than observing from the sidelines.

“As an Account Manager, I was responsible for maintaining and driving a territory generating over £300k per year. That level of ownership meant making the most of every learning opportunity, performing every day and driving the business in the way it needed to be driven.” – Harry 

The responsibility doesn't stop with the first customer-facing role. As trainees progress through the programme, they are trusted with projects that tackle real business challenges across the business. Geoff Palmer experienced this during a rotation in the UK, where he was asked to address Account Manager retention.

I was given a problem and told to find a solution. Hilti gave me the flexibility to define what that solution would look like, while working closely with senior stakeholders.... It was an incredible opportunity to take ownership of a real business challenge.

 

Learning through rotation and challenge

The programme is structured around multiple rotations across roles, functions and countries, each designed to broaden perspective and accelerate learning. After completing the first step in sales, trainees take on project assignments in marketing, finance, logistics, and other departments.

That variety gives trainees a broad view of the business, but it also means repeatedly stepping into unfamiliar environments and building credibility quickly.

Denise found that each rotation brought a different challenge. Moving between teams and projects meant constantly learning, adapting and building confidence in her own judgement. Over time, she realised that growth wasn't about having all the answers from the beginning.

"After my second project rotation, I realised that being new, and not having all the knowledge from the beginning, is completely fine. You can take ownership of what you can do, but also of things you cannot do yet." – Denise 

That is what makes the programme demanding: trainees are not simply moving between job titles. They need to understand a new environment, make sense of its complexity and find a way to contribute in a short amount of time.

A truly international experience

Global mobility is a core part of the Outperformer experience. But the value of working internationally is not just about relocation or travel. It is about learning how different teams, markets and cultures make decisions, build trust and define success.

Teodor describes this as one of the most important lessons of the programme. Working across countries helped him understand how strongly local perspectives and business norms can vary, while also reinforcing something more universal.

“Regardless of where we come from, people want to be heard, respected and understood. I have learned that successful collaboration starts with curiosity, open-mindedness and a genuine interest in understanding other perspectives. When you create that environment, cultural differences become a strength rather than a barrier.” – Teodor 

Development, mentoring and exposure to leadership

Alongside the hands-on work, Outperformers benefit from mentoring, feedback and exposure to senior leaders. This support helps trainees translate experiences into development – not just by giving answers, but by offering perspective.

Having a mentor with experience and drive who can guide you, give advice, bounce ideas off and help you understand strengths and weaknesses has been so valuable. Perspective is harder to come by than you would think, and seeing things in a different light is often enough to help you find the next step.

 

Development on the programme is not only about the roles trainees take on. It is also about the conversations, feedback and examples that help shape how they see themselves as future leaders.

The programme also includes global summits – from visits to Hilti headquarters to leadership development experiences in partnership with renowned universities – bringing cohorts together to learn, reflect and build networks across borders.

 

A fast pace – with purpose

The Outperformer Programme is not designed to be easy. The pace is fast, expectations are high and the environment changes frequently. Trainees move between functions, countries and business challenges, often before they feel fully comfortable in the previous one.

Harry describes that constant change as both the most demanding and one of the most valuable parts of the programme.

The most demanding aspect is the constant change of function and location. It can bring stress, but it is also incredibly exciting when you accept it as a fantastic opportunity. If you approach new environments as a way to learn, grow and develop, the hardest part of the programme becomes one of the most compelling reasons to do it.

That sense of challenge is echoed across the responses. The programme asks trainees to stretch themselves, but it also surrounds them with peers, mentors, leaders and networks that help them keep moving forward.

Where the journey leads

As the programme comes to an end, Outperformers move into landing roles outside their home region, continuing their international careers and applying what they’ve learned in new contexts.

For many alumni, the programme becomes a foundation – not just for their next role, but for how they approach leadership, collaboration and decision‑making long‑term.

The programme strengthened my ability to work across regions, leverage a global network and solve complex challenges with creativity and speed. It taught me how to shape direction, define success incrementally and stay adaptable while learning through execution.

 

 

Is the Outperformer Programme right for you?

Successful Outperformer trainees share more than strong academic backgrounds. They are curious, open to feedback, willing to relocate, and motivated by responsibility and impact. They thrive in environments where learning is constant – and where growth comes through doing.

If you’re ready for a fast‑tracked, international development experience that challenges you to grow early and think globally, the Outperformer Programme could be the start of your journey.

Explore the Outperformer Programme and discover where your potential could take you.