The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
Group Manager, International Brand Activation (L5)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering regional P&L management, building and leading a team of managers, developing multi-market strategies, and consistently hitting regional targets. You'll need to show you can scale your impact beyond a single programme.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding regional pipeline and brand lift targets.
- Successfully mentored and developed several direct reports into senior roles.
- Led a major cross-regional initiative that delivered significant business impact.
- Recognised internally as a strategic leader and trusted advisor to regional VPs.
- 2
Head of Marketing for a Major Business Unit
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Broadening your marketing expertise beyond just experiential, encompassing digital, content, and product marketing. You'll need to demonstrate holistic business unit leadership and P&L accountability for the entire marketing function.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven ability to integrate experiential marketing seamlessly into broader marketing campaigns.
- Successfully launched new products or entered new markets with comprehensive marketing strategies.
- Demonstrated strong collaboration with sales and product leadership to drive revenue.
- Managed a diverse marketing team covering multiple disciplines.
- 3
Head of a Global Marketing Agency (Client-Side Lead)
5-7 yearsSkills to master
- Managing large agency teams, developing strategic client relationships, and driving business growth for multiple clients. This path requires a strong commercial mindset and a deep understanding of agency operations.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed a portfolio of multi-million-pound client accounts.
- Demonstrated thought leadership in the agency space, attracting new business.
- Built and retained high-performing agency teams.
- Deep understanding of diverse client needs and how to translate them into effective campaigns.