Hi All,

Seeking some guidance on navigating an internal international move. I’ve been with an MNC in the UK for the last 3 years and have reached the highest position available at my current site in Manchester.

To progress further, my options are usually to move to our London office (which I’d prefer not to do) or wait for a rare senior opening in Manchester. However, my ultimate goal is to migrate to Australia.

I’ve had an open conversation with my manager about this. He’s very supportive and suggested that I reach out to the equivalent teams in our Australian offices to start informal discussions. The idea is to get on their radar now, so when a role eventually opens up, I’m a known entity.

Here is where I’m struggling:

I feel incredibly awkward reaching out to people I don’t know with "no context." I don’t want to come across as someone just hunting for a job immediately, but I also want to be intentional about my interest in relocating.

I would love your advice on:

How do I break the ice with a "cold" internal message or email to a peer or lead in the Australian office?

What should the "informal discussion" actually look like? What questions should I be asking to build a genuine connection?

For those who have successfully navigated an internal global transfer, what is the best way to keep that connection alive over a "long journey" without being annoying?

I know this won't happen overnight, but I want to start on the right foot. Any scripts, tips on corporate etiquette for this, or "dos and don'ts" would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks.