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
VP Customer Success / Head of Customer Service
16-20 years total experience, with 5+ years in a senior leadership role managing large operational teams.Skills to master
- Deep operational expertise, strong people leadership, P&L management, ability to drive efficiency at scale, and a strategic understanding of customer retention.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed a customer service or success organisation of 50+ people.
- Demonstrated ability to improve operational metrics (e.g., AHT, FCR) while maintaining high CSAT.
- Proven track record of influencing product roadmaps based on customer feedback.
- 2
Principal CX Designer / Manager, CX Design
12-16 years total experience, with 3+ years leading complex CX programmes and managing teams.Skills to master
- Mastery of enterprise service design, VoC programme architecture, strong business case development, and executive communication.
You're ready to move on when
- Owned and successfully delivered multi-journey CX programmes.
- Mentored and developed a team of senior CX designers.
- Consistently secured buy-in from senior leadership for significant CX initiatives.
- 3
Management Consultant (specialising in CX)
15-20 years total experience, with 5+ years at a senior level in a top-tier consulting firm.Skills to master
- Strategic advisory, client relationship management, complex problem-solving across diverse industries, and a strong understanding of business transformation.
You're ready to move on when
- Led multiple large-scale CX transformation engagements for Fortune 500 clients.
- Developed and presented strategic recommendations to C-Suite executives.
- Proven ability to drive adoption and measurable impact for consulting engagements.