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
Promotion from Senior Virtual Events Specialist (Internal)
3-5 years as a Senior SpecialistSkills to master
- Developing programme-level strategy, managing budgets beyond individual events, leading and mentoring junior team members, and influencing senior stakeholders.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully owned and delivered multiple complex, multi-session virtual events independently.
- Consistently exceeded performance metrics for your assigned events and workstreams.
- Demonstrated informal leadership by mentoring junior colleagues or leading project teams.
- Proactively identified and implemented process improvements that benefited the wider team.
- 2
External Hire from a similar Lead/Manager Role
Direct entry with 8-12 years relevant experienceSkills to master
- Adapting to our specific tech stack and internal processes, quickly building credibility with key stakeholders, and understanding our brand's unique event strategy.
You're ready to move on when
- A strong portfolio showcasing successful virtual event programmes and team leadership.
- Clear examples of managing significant event budgets and achieving measurable ROI.
- Proven ability to build and lead high-performing event teams.
- Excellent references from previous Directors or VPs who can attest to your strategic and leadership capabilities.
- 3
Transition from Digital Marketing Manager (with Event Focus)
5-7 years in Digital Marketing, with 2-3 years directly managing digital eventsSkills to master
- Deepening technical proficiency in virtual event platforms, mastering live production workflows, and developing strong team leadership skills specific to event delivery.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed digital campaigns that included virtual events as a core component.
- Demonstrated a keen interest and aptitude for the technical and logistical aspects of event production.
- Proven ability to analyse event data and translate it into actionable marketing insights.
- Expressed a clear desire to specialise and lead in the virtual events space.