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
Senior Manager, Virtual & Hybrid Events (L5)
3-5 years at L5Skills to master
- Mastering portfolio management, P&L ownership at a smaller scale, strategic vendor relations, and leading a team of managers.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding portfolio-level KPIs and financial targets.
- Successfully launching and scaling new digital event formats.
- Demonstrating strong leadership in building and developing a high-performing team.
- Proactively identifying and mitigating strategic risks.
- Building strong relationships with C-suite and cross-functional leaders.
- 2
Head of Digital Marketing / Head of Events (from another organisation)
Variable, depending on prior organisation size and scopeSkills to master
- Adapting to our company culture and tech stack, demonstrating strategic leadership in a new context, and quickly building credibility with internal stakeholders.
You're ready to move on when
- A proven track record of P&L management and strategic leadership in a comparable industry.
- Demonstrated ability to drive innovation and transformation in digital experiences.
- Strong references highlighting leadership, strategic vision, and commercial acumen.
- A clear understanding of our market and competitive landscape.
- 3
Director of Product / Marketing (with strong event tech background)
3-6 years in a related Director-level roleSkills to master
- Translating product/marketing expertise into the specific nuances of experiential marketing and event P&L management, understanding audience engagement in a live context.
You're ready to move on when
- Deep expertise in product strategy or marketing automation, particularly as it relates to customer journeys and data.
- A strong understanding of event technology platforms and their capabilities.
- Demonstrated ability to lead large teams and manage complex projects.
- A genuine passion for creating engaging digital experiences.