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
Director of Service Operations & Technology (L6)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Deepen understanding of multi-year technology roadmapping, master vendor negotiation for enterprise platforms, and gain extensive experience presenting to the C-suite and Board on operational performance and strategic investments. You'll need to demonstrate consistent delivery of large-scale projects and significant P&L management.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led the transformation of a major business unit's service operations, demonstrating quantifiable impact on efficiency and customer satisfaction.
- Consistently exceeded targets for technology adoption and ROI on large-scale platform implementations.
- Developed and presented compelling strategic proposals to the executive team, securing significant buy-in and resources.
- Built and mentored a high-performing leadership team within your domain.
- 2
VP, Global Customer Success (from another organisation)
N/A (external hire)Skills to master
- Bring a proven track record of scaling customer success organisations globally, driving significant increases in Net Revenue Retention and Customer Lifetime Value. You'll need a strong background in customer advocacy, account management, and strategic client relationships at an executive level.
You're ready to move on when
- Demonstrated success in a similar executive role at a comparable or larger organisation, with verifiable impact on key CX metrics.
- Strong external network and reputation as a thought leader in customer success and experience.
- Experience navigating complex organisational structures and influencing cross-functional peers to achieve customer outcomes.
- 3
Chief Product Officer (CPO) or Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) (internal lateral move)
5-7 yearsSkills to master
- This path requires a deep understanding of customer needs from a different executive lens. You'd need to demonstrate how your product or marketing strategies were fundamentally customer-driven, leading to exceptional customer experiences and measurable business impact. It's about showing that your 'customer obsession' extends beyond your functional silo.
You're ready to move on when
- Led product development or marketing campaigns that resulted in significant improvements in customer satisfaction and engagement.
- Consistently advocated for the customer voice in product roadmaps or marketing strategies, directly influencing key business decisions.
- Developed a comprehensive understanding of the end-to-end customer journey, even from a different functional perspective.