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 Sales Transformation Consultant (L3)
2-3 years at Senior levelSkills to master
- Leading projects end-to-end, mentoring junior colleagues, building strong stakeholder relationships, becoming a subject matter expert in a specific domain (e.g., CPQ, GTM).
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivering projects on time and budget with measurable impact.
- Proactively identifying and solving complex problems without constant supervision.
- Successfully influencing cross-functional teams and gaining buy-in for your recommendations.
- Demonstrating strong leadership potential and a desire to manage a team.
- 2
Sales Operations Manager
3-5 years in a managerial roleSkills to master
- Deep expertise in sales data, reporting, and CRM administration. Experience managing a team of analysts or specialists. Understanding of the operational challenges faced by sales teams.
You're ready to move on when
- Proven ability to optimise sales processes and improve operational efficiency.
- Strong analytical capabilities and a data-driven approach to problem-solving.
- Experience supporting sales leadership with strategic insights and recommendations.
- A clear understanding of the 'day in the life' of a sales rep and their operational needs.
- 3
Management Consultant (Sales Focus)
3-4 years as a Senior Consultant or Engagement ManagerSkills to master
- Structured problem-solving, client management, executive communication, developing strategic recommendations for sales organisations across various industries.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience leading client engagements and managing project teams.
- Ability to quickly diagnose complex business problems and propose actionable solutions.
- Strong presentation skills and comfort advising senior executives.
- A broad understanding of different sales models and industry best practices.