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
Head of Content / Senior Content Marketing Manager (from a smaller company)
3-5 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Scaling content operations, managing larger teams, developing executive communication skills, and demonstrating strategic impact beyond individual projects.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully built and scaled a content function from scratch or significantly grown an existing one.
- Consistently hit or exceeded content-driven revenue/pipeline targets.
- Effectively managed a team of 3-5+ content professionals, including hiring and performance management.
- Developed strong relationships with C-suite and senior stakeholders in previous roles.
- 2
Marketing Director / VP of Marketing (with a strong content focus)
2-4 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Deepening content expertise, understanding content's specific contribution to overall marketing mix, and leading a dedicated content function.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed a broader marketing function but had content as a core responsibility and passion.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate content with other marketing channels for cohesive campaigns.
- Proven track record of strategic planning and budget management across multiple marketing disciplines.
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing managers.
- 3
Agency Director / Senior Account Director (Content Specialism)
4-6 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Transitioning from client-service to in-house leadership, building internal teams, and owning a single brand's long-term content vision.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed large content strategy accounts for multiple clients.
- Developed and presented multi-year content strategies to senior client stakeholders.
- Managed large project budgets and agency teams.
- Demonstrated expertise in a specific industry relevant to our business.