How can I break the ceiling from Sr. Product Marketing Manager to the next level (director or team lead)?

This is a hard jump to make! Not to sound like a broken record, but the first step is communicating with your manager to let them know that you want to move into management and getting their feedback on what you’d need to do to make that move and what timeline might be realistic. I can’t say it enough, being clear in what you want and communicating that to the people who can help you get there is essential to growing your career. From there, there are a few things you can do to help the process. ...Read More

The first thing you have to ask is - is there room for a director or team lead at my company in product marketing? My CEO once said there are basically two ways you can start managing a team: The company is growing (in headcount) and some of that can get allocated to you   If the company isn’t growing in headcount, there’s a reorg that happens where you’re given more scope / resources / headcount It’s worth noting that on (1) you need to be able to make a good case for why you should get some of ...Read More

First, Make sure you own your company's most strategic product. Usually that's the product with the highest revenue or fastest growth. Ideally both.   Second, make sure the execs know who you are. Go as high as you can go. Develop relationships with the CEO and/or board if you're small or mid-sized, aim for BU head if you're in a large enterprise. Be the one standing up in front of the exec team (or board) giving updates about your product. Say smart things.    Third, make sure you're riding the ...Read More

Perfectly correct answer from Mike. I do all these things and have been promoted annually. "Riding the right rocketship" also has the component of picking the right company in addition to the right boss. If you arrive ahead of growth, you'll earn team management responsibility as quickly as you can handle it. But if your company is stagnant, those above you will need to leave for you to advance. One caution I always give is not to grab a high title from a small company just because it's offered ...Read More

Adding on to all of the great advice above: Build your network: meet as many marketing leaders as you can so that when they're ready to hire someone externally you are on their list. Also get to know some good recruiters.  Be flexible and ready to leave your current company: your chances of being promoted at your current company are miniscule compared to the jobs available elsewhere  If you wait to get promoted at your current role, you're limiting your chances immensely. The math is pretty simp ...Read More