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
From Events & Comms Specialist (L2)
2-3 years at L2Skills to master
- Taking full ownership of smaller projects, proactive problem-solving, basic vendor management, and demonstrating consistent reliability. You'd also need to show initiative in suggesting improvements and learning new tools.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed 5+ small-to-medium events (e.g., department offsites) end-to-end with minimal supervision.
- Designed and executed 3+ internal comms campaigns that achieved measurable engagement targets.
- Consistently identified and proposed solutions to project challenges, rather than just escalating problems.
- Received positive feedback from managers and peers on your reliability and attention to detail.
- 2
From Marketing/PR Specialist with Event Focus
5-7 years in a related roleSkills to master
- Adapting external comms skills to an internal audience, understanding the unique nuances of corporate internal events, and developing strong stakeholder management skills within a corporate environment. You'd need to learn our internal systems and culture quickly.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed significant components of external marketing events (e.g., trade shows, product launches).
- Demonstrated strong project management skills and ability to work with multiple vendors.
- Proven ability to craft compelling narratives and manage complex communication plans.
- Successfully navigated cross-functional collaboration in previous roles.
- 3
From Project Manager (Non-Events Specific)
6-8 years in project managementSkills to master
- Translating general project management principles to the specific demands of live events and internal communications, including creative problem-solving, stakeholder empathy, and understanding the 'human' element of engagement. You'd need to quickly get up to speed on event tech and comms platforms.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed complex projects with multiple dependencies and tight deadlines.
- Strong track record of budget management and risk mitigation.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- A demonstrable interest in employee engagement and corporate culture.