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 Executive Assistant
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering complex calendar management, international travel booking, expense reporting, and managing multiple priorities for senior leadership. You'd have already proven you can handle high-stakes logistics.
You're ready to move on when
- You're the EA who consistently gets rave reviews for their travel planning.
- You've managed international trips for multiple executives simultaneously.
- You're often asked by other EAs for advice on tricky bookings or travel policies.
- 2
Corporate Travel Coordinator/Manager
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Deep knowledge of corporate travel policies, vendor negotiation, group travel logistics, and problem-solving travel disruptions. You'd be comfortable with the operational side of travel.
You're ready to move on when
- You've successfully managed travel for large teams or complex events.
- You're an expert in using corporate travel booking platforms.
- You've dealt with and resolved major travel issues (e.g., cancelled flights, lost luggage) for employees.
- 3
Junior Investor Relations Analyst (with strong ops focus)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- A foundational understanding of investor relations, coupled with a strong aptitude for organisation and event logistics. This path is less common but possible if you've leaned heavily into the operational side of IR.
You're ready to move on when
- You've been the go-to person for event logistics within a smaller IR team.
- You understand the basic lifecycle of an investor roadshow.
- You've shown a keen eye for detail in all your IR-related tasks.