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 Stakeholder Relations Specialist (L3/L4)
3-5 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Leading complex projects end-to-end, mentoring junior staff, acting as a company spokesperson on routine matters, and developing strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. You'll need to demonstrate you can handle significant responsibility independently.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led at least two major communications campaigns from planning to execution with measurable results.
- Consistently sought out for advice by peers and junior team members.
- Demonstrated ability to manage tricky media enquiries or stakeholder issues with minimal oversight.
- Proactively identified and mitigated potential reputational risks on multiple occasions.
- Proven ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to senior audiences.
- 2
Communications Manager (from another department/company)
Roughly 10-15 years overall experienceSkills to master
- Adapting to our specific industry's regulatory and media landscape, understanding our internal politics and decision-making processes, and quickly building credibility with our key internal stakeholders. You'll also need to get up to speed on our specific tech stack and reporting methodologies.
You're ready to move on when
- A strong track record of managing communications teams and programmes in a similar, complex organisation.
- Demonstrable experience navigating sensitive issues and advising senior leadership.
- Quickly grasps new industry contexts and builds effective relationships.
- Brings fresh perspectives and best practices from previous roles.
- Can articulate how their past experience directly translates to our challenges.
- 3
Public Affairs / Government Relations Manager
3-5 years in previous roleSkills to master
- Broadening their understanding beyond purely governmental stakeholders to include media, investors, and community groups. Translating policy advocacy into broader reputational strategy. Developing media relations and crisis communications expertise if it wasn't a primary focus previously.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully managed complex relationships with government officials or regulatory bodies.
- Demonstrated ability to influence policy outcomes through strategic engagement.
- Shows a keen interest in broader corporate communications and reputation management.
- Has a strong network of contacts beyond just the public sector.
- Proven ability to adapt communication strategies for different stakeholder types.