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It’s a question that our Recruitment Partner Ben Phillips has been thinking about lately.

After reviewing thousands of marketing CVs over the years, he started to notice a clear pattern in how quickly people reach senior level, and how much that depends on whether they stay loyal to one company or make a few well-timed moves along the way.

So, how long does it really take to reach the top of the marketing ladder in the UK?

Let’s dig into what we’ve seen, what the data shows, and what it means for marketers today.

Staying loyal: the slower, steadier route

If you stick with one company and work your way up internally, it usually takes 10 to 14 years to reach Head of or Marketing Director level.

You’ll build trust, become the go-to person for how things work, and grow within a business that knows your worth. But promotions and pay rises can take longer, and progression often depends on when the business is ready, not just when you are.

This route is built on stability and commitment, and for some marketers that’s exactly what they’re looking for.

In the UK, Marketing Managers typically earn between £40,000 and £50,000, while experienced Heads of Marketing and Marketing Directors average £80,000 to £100,000, with some roles at larger companies reaching £120,000 or more (source: Intelligent People, Jobted,Glassdoor).

That’s a big leap in both salary and responsibility, and it often reflects a decade or more of gradual progression in one organisation.

Moving roles: the faster climb

For those who switch roles every 2 to 4 years, the story looks different.

Career growth tends to move faster, and on average, you could reach Director level in 7 to 10 years. Each move can bring a 10 to 20% salary increase, fresh experience across industries, and new challenges that help you build range and confidence as a marketer.

It’s a quicker path, but not without its trade-offs. There’s usually less long-term security, and you’ll need to be intentional with every move so it builds towards something meaningful, not just away from your current role.

The short version

📊 Stay put: 10 to 14 years to Director

🚀 Switch smartly: 7 to 10 years

➡️ That’s roughly 3 to 5 years faster for job movers

Why do the two paths differ?

Here’s what’s really behind those numbers.

Staying put

• Builds deep institutional knowledge and trust.

• Offers internal influence and long-term credibility.

• But progression is often tied to company growth and internal structure.

Switching roles

• Brings fresh exposure to new markets, technologies and teams.

• Offers bigger step-ups and salary resets more frequently.

• But can come with more risk around culture fit or long-term stability.

Both paths can lead to success, it’s just about knowing what matters most to you.

What the UK data tells us

Marketing remains one of the UK’s most competitive and fast-evolving career fields. According to recent reports, over 225,000 people now work in marketing, up from 148,000 a decade ago. That growth means more opportunity, but also more competition for senior roles.

The salary jumps between levels also suggest clear career milestones:

• Marketing Executive: £25,000 to £35,000

• Senior Marketing Executive: £35,000 to £45,000

• Marketing Manager: £45,000 to £60,000

• Head of Marketing / Marketing Director: £80,000 to £120,000+

Those numbers fit with what we see every day. Marketers who stay in one business tend to hit the top band after a longer runway, while those who move every few years can sometimes close the gap faster, especially if they use each move to take on broader responsibility or new strategic experience.

What matters most today

With marketing changing so quickly, the skills that accelerate your career now look a little different to what they did ten years ago.

The top traits we see in marketers who make it to senior level faster include:

• Commercial thinking and data fluency.

• Strong cross-functional communication.

• Hands-on experience in digital, brand and growth channels.

• Clear evidence of impact, not just activity.

• Confidence to lead through change and innovation.

• Adaptability and curiosity are the real differentiators.

So, what’s the smarter move?

We see both sides of this debate play out daily at Kin.

Some marketers thrive by staying loyal, becoming the heartbeat of their brand and shaping its long-term success. Others rise quickly by taking bold steps, learning from new sectors, and keeping their skills fresh.

There’s no right or wrong answer here. What matters is being intentional. Know why you’re staying, and know why you’re moving.

Because whichever path you take, clarity is the real game changer.

Over to you

Have you seen marketers rise faster by staying loyal or by switching things up?

We’d love to hear what you think, especially if you’ve been on one side of that journey yourself.

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Photo by Israel Andrade on Unsplash