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, Global PMO / Head of Strategic Programmes
5-8 years at Director levelSkills to master
- Mastering portfolio management, leading large-scale programmes (e.g., £50M+), managing diverse teams of PMs, and consistently delivering strategic outcomes. You'll have built a reputation for navigating complex organisational politics and influencing senior leaders.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully delivered 3+ multi-year, multi-country strategic programmes with demonstrable ROI.
- Consistently received top performance reviews from the CEO/Board for strategic delivery.
- Built and mentored a strong leadership team beneath you, with clear succession plans.
- Recognised internally as the 'go-to' person for complex international challenges.
- 2
Regional Managing Director (MD) / Country Head
5-7 years as Regional MDSkills to master
- Full P&L ownership for a significant international region, deep understanding of market dynamics, regulatory environments, and cultural nuances within that region. You'll have demonstrated strong commercial acumen and the ability to grow a business unit.
You're ready to move on when
- Achieved consistent revenue growth and profitability targets for a major international region.
- Successfully launched new products or services into that market, overcoming local challenges.
- Built strong relationships with local government, industry bodies, and key clients.
- Demonstrated the ability to balance regional priorities with global strategic objectives.
- 3
VP, Global Operations / Supply Chain
5-8 years at VP levelSkills to master
- Deep expertise in optimising global operational processes, supply chain management, logistics, and manufacturing across multiple international sites. You'll have driven significant efficiency gains and built resilient global operational frameworks.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully transformed global operational processes, leading to significant cost savings or efficiency gains.
- Built and managed a resilient international supply chain, navigating major disruptions.
- Led large, diverse operational teams across multiple continents.
- Demonstrated a strategic understanding of how operations support overall business strategy.