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
CRM Executive (L2)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering end-to-end campaign execution, A/B testing, basic segmentation, and reporting. Getting really good at spotting errors and troubleshooting routine issues.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering campaigns accurately and on time.
- Proactively identifying and solving campaign-level issues without constant supervision.
- Demonstrating a strong understanding of customer journey principles.
- Showing initiative in proposing campaign optimisations.
- 2
Marketing Automation Specialist
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Deep expertise in a specific marketing automation platform (e.g., HubSpot, Marketo), building complex workflows, lead scoring, and integration with other systems.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully built and managed multiple complex automation programmes.
- Can troubleshoot technical integration issues independently.
- Has a strong grasp of lead management and scoring methodologies.
- Is the go-to person for technical queries on the automation platform.
- 3
Digital Marketing Executive (with CRM focus)
5-7 yearsSkills to master
- Broader digital marketing skills (SEO, PPC, social media) combined with a specialisation in how CRM supports these channels, focusing on integrated campaigns and customer experience.
You're ready to move on when
- Has successfully run integrated digital campaigns with a strong CRM component.
- Understands how different digital channels contribute to the customer journey.
- Can demonstrate how CRM activities enhance overall digital marketing performance.
- Has a holistic view of the customer experience across various touchpoints.