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
Internal Promotion (Digital Sales Manager L4)
3-5 years as an L4 Digital Sales ManagerSkills to master
- Consistently exceeding team quotas, exceptional talent development and coaching for individual reps, strong forecast accuracy, and demonstrated ability to lead significant projects beyond your direct team. You'd also be showing clear leadership potential and strategic thinking.
You're ready to move on when
- Your team consistently hits or exceeds its revenue targets.
- You've successfully mentored and promoted at least two individual reps into more senior roles.
- You're proactively identifying and solving systemic problems for your team, not just reacting to them.
- You've taken on leadership roles in cross-functional initiatives or special projects.
- You're regularly sought out by peers for advice and guidance.
- 2
External Hire (Senior Sales Manager at a smaller company)
Roughly 10-15 years of total sales experience, with 3-5 years managing managersSkills to master
- A proven track record of P&L ownership, strategic planning, and leading multiple sales teams to achieve aggressive growth targets in a similar industry or segment. You'd be bringing a fresh perspective and established leadership practices.
You're ready to move on when
- You've successfully scaled a sales function or segment in a previous role.
- You have demonstrable experience in organisational design and talent development at a management level.
- Your references speak to your strategic acumen and ability to drive significant revenue growth.
- You can articulate clear examples of how you've led through change and overcome significant sales challenges.
- 3
Sales Operations/Enablement Leader
10-15 years in Sales Operations or Enablement, with strong leadership experienceSkills to master
- Deep understanding of sales processes, CRM optimisation, sales tech stack, and data analytics. You'd need to demonstrate a strong commercial mindset and a proven ability to influence sales leaders, transitioning from supporting sales to directly leading it.
You're ready to move on when
- You've designed and implemented major sales process improvements that led to measurable revenue gains.
- You've built and led a high-performing Sales Operations or Enablement team.
- You have a strong network within the sales organisation and are seen as a trusted advisor.
- You've actively participated in strategic sales planning and contributed to revenue forecasting.