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
Global PR Manager / Head of Communications (L5)
You'd typically spend 3-5 years in a senior management role, leading a significant PR function or an entire communications team, before stepping up to a Director level. You'd have managed budgets and people.Skills to master
- Mastering strategic planning, team leadership, budget management, and executive advising. You'd need to demonstrate a consistent ability to deliver measurable results and navigate complex stakeholder environments.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led a major global communications campaign from strategy to execution, with clear, positive outcomes.
- Consistently provided sound communications counsel to senior leadership (e.g., VPs, SVPs).
- Built and retained a high-performing team, demonstrating strong mentorship and development skills.
- Managed budgets exceeding £500K with proven ROI.
- 2
Senior Agency Lead (Global Accounts)
Coming from a top-tier global PR agency, you'd likely have spent 5-8 years as an Account Director or Group Account Director, managing multi-million-pound global client accounts and large agency teams.Skills to master
- Developing and executing integrated global communications strategies for diverse clients, managing client relationships at the C-suite level, and leading large, multi-market agency teams. You'd be a master of agency operations.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed a portfolio of global clients with annual retainers exceeding £1M, consistently exceeding client expectations.
- Led new business pitches and secured significant global accounts.
- Provided strategic communications counsel to multiple C-suite clients across different industries.
- Demonstrated strong financial management of client accounts and agency resources.
- 3
Head of Internal Communications / Public Affairs (L5)
If your background is more specialised, you might spend 4-6 years leading a significant internal communications or public affairs function, demonstrating the ability to manage complex stakeholder groups and shape corporate narratives.Skills to master
- Deep expertise in employee engagement, change management communications, government relations, or policy advocacy. You'd need to show how these specialisms translate to broader external communications strategy.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led communications for a major organisational change or policy initiative.
- Built strong relationships with government officials or internal executive stakeholders.
- Managed complex and sensitive internal or public affairs issues with positive outcomes.
- Demonstrated strategic thinking beyond your specialism, connecting it to overall business goals.