Strengths‑led career consulting for senior professionals and leadership teams.
You know what you're capable of. Let's make sure the right people do too.
You have the experience and the ability. What you need is clarity, a plan, and someone who can help you see what you bring and go after the right opportunity with confidence.
I'm a career consultant who uses strengths-based diagnostics to cut through the guesswork. The foundation for better performance, stronger decisions, and meaningful change. 15 years in career development. Belfast-based, working across the UK, Ireland and beyond.
Career Consultant Belfast - Consultative Strengths Support for Your Career
I partner with high-achievers who feel something isn't quite right in their role, offering deep insight into their unique working patterns and the shifts needed for fulfilment.
Career Road
Vocation and Purpose
We identify what isn't working and why, using your natural strengths to find the clarity and alignment you need to move forward with confidence.
Strategic Step
Detailed Roadmap
Leave with more than insight. We build a practical, personalised plan for your next career move or professional step, with a focus on long-term growth.
Capability
Commanding Presence
Improve how you communicate, lead, and show up in the moments that matter, so you make a real impression in your current role and beyond.
Pro Plan
Expert Choices
Make better calls at work by understanding your core strengths, values, and what you are genuinely optimising for in your professional life.
Two ways to work together
Take the Free Career Energy Audit
Find out where your energy is going and what it's telling you. A free 10-minute self-assessment for mid-career professionals who know something's off but can't quite name it. Score yourself across 10 statements, answer two honest questions, and walk away with a clear picture of what needs to change. It lands in your inbox immediately.
Subscribe below. Plus a weekly dose of honest thinking on work, leadership and what comes next.
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Ascent: Four months. One clear direction.
For senior leaders who've just stepped into the role and are still finding their footing.
The moment you start, your leadership starts shaping the room.
Your team takes its cues from you before you've said a word. How you handle the first decision, the first disagreement, the first moment something goes wrong, becomes the story they tell themselves about what kind of leader you are. They're not waiting for a speech. They're watching for a pattern.
That's the weight most new leaders underestimate. It's not just your own performance under scrutiny, it's that everyone around you is forming their sense of direction, safety, and standards from how you show up, often within the first few weeks.
Working With Paula
"I would highly recommend Paula for advice and guidance. She reconfigured my CV, bringing it up to date professionally and efficiently. I also received great advice and assistance with my LinkedIn profile."
— Enda M
About Paula
Drawing on fifteen years of experience across employability programmes, public sector organisations, further education colleges, and charities, Paula established Donnan Coaching Services in 2023 to help professionals find clarity and build confidence in their careers.
Now operating as Paula Donnan Advisory, she works with both individual professionals and organisations to deliver strengths-led consulting and development.
Paula also works as a freelance associate coach for Executive Connexions and as a partner for Neurodiversity Spark. A certified Strengthscope practitioner and Level 5-qualified Coach and Mentor, Paula is an active member of the Association for Coaching. Her approach is practical, evidence-based, and built around the individual, ensuring every client achieves meaningful and lasting professional growth.
Certified industry expertise
"I know you're an excellent career coach, but what I didn't expect was to get offered a fantastic job just two days after our session. The meeting, your advice, everything was spot on."
— Rehab F
"Paula is wonderful to work with and has provided insightful feedback and assistance whilst progressing in my career journey. I've found her to be direct, honest and trustworthy."
— Rachel C
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