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 Investor Events at a smaller/mid-cap company
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Scaling event programmes, managing larger budgets, building out a more comprehensive IR strategy, and presenting to a broader range of stakeholders.
You're ready to move on when
- Successfully led multiple international roadshows for their current company.
- Managed a team of at least 2-3 direct reports.
- Demonstrated ownership of an annual investor event calendar and budget.
- Received strong feedback from their C-suite on event execution and strategic input.
- 2
Senior Investor Relations Manager / Lead
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Deepening capital markets knowledge, refining investor messaging, taking on broader IR responsibilities beyond just events, and building relationships with institutional investors directly.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivered high-quality investor communications and events.
- Played a key role in earnings call preparation and investor targeting.
- Acted as a primary point of contact for a segment of the investor base.
- Proven ability to influence internal stakeholders on IR matters.
- 3
Chief of Staff / Senior Executive Assistant (C-suite)
5-7 yearsSkills to master
- Mastering executive communication, strategic planning, project management across an organisation, and navigating complex internal politics. The focus here is on high-level executive support and operational excellence.
You're ready to move on when
- Managed complex calendars and travel for C-suite executives for many years.
- Demonstrated exceptional discretion and problem-solving skills under pressure.
- Successfully coordinated cross-functional projects and initiatives.
- Has a deep understanding of the executive's priorities and the company's strategic goals.