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, Marketing Technology / Marketing Operations
Often 3-5 years at this level before stepping into a VP RevOps role.Skills to master
- Deep expertise in MarTech stack management, marketing attribution, lead lifecycle, and cross-functional project leadership. You'd need to expand your scope to include Sales and Service operations.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully owned and scaled a significant MarTech stack for a large organisation.
- Demonstrated ability to influence Sales and Service leadership on joint initiatives.
- Proven track record of improving marketing-sourced pipeline and ROI.
- Experience managing a substantial budget and leading a team of managers.
- 2
VP, Sales Operations / Sales Enablement
Typically 3-5 years at this level, then moving into a broader RevOps role.Skills to master
- Sales forecasting, territory planning, compensation plan design, sales process optimisation, and sales technology (CRM, sales engagement platforms). You'd need to build out your Marketing and Service operations knowledge.
You're ready to move on when
- Significantly improved sales efficiency and quota attainment for a large sales organisation.
- Successfully implemented and driven adoption of major sales technology platforms.
- Strong analytical skills with a focus on sales performance metrics.
- A clear understanding of the full customer journey beyond just the sales cycle.
- 3
Head of Business Operations / Chief of Staff (Commercial)
Roughly 2-4 years in a broad operational role, then specialising in RevOps.Skills to master
- Cross-functional project management, strategic planning, executive communication, and a broad understanding of business processes across multiple departments. This path often provides a holistic view of the business.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led complex, cross-departmental initiatives with significant business impact.
- Proven ability to influence and align diverse executive stakeholders.
- A strong grasp of the company's overall commercial strategy and operational levers.
- Comfortable operating at a high strategic level with direct exposure to the CEO/Board.