How To Move From Manager to Director in 6 Steps (Plus Skills)

Pursuing high-level company leadership roles is a common goal for many management professionals. Moving from a position as a manager to a director position can be an exciting process and requires new skills and an impressive resume. If you're a manager interested in advancing your career, it may help to explore the steps involved in moving into an executive role.In this article, we provide steps for how to move from manager to director, define both roles and explain the skills to help you excel in your advancement.

What is a manager?

A manager is a professional in a broad category of junior leadership within the corporate structure. Managers may have many different roles depending on their company, department, experience and location, but many managers serve as the link between a company's departments and its corporate leadership. They often lead employees in their efforts to reach company goals and complete daily tasks.

What is a director?

A director is a role in a company's senior leadership that may involve a variety of responsibilities based on the business and its specific needs. Directors often take on a much larger role in determining the course of their company's future than managers do. They may help define their business goals, vision, and image, as well as provide leadership for managers. Here are some of the director positions a company may have within its leadership structure:

• Executive directors: An executive director is often the senior manager in their organization, and they're responsible for developing growth strategies and managing a company's operations. The executive director often implements the plans that the board of directors develops.
  

• Non-executive directors: These professionals are not employees of the company, but they provide independent advice and oversight to the board. They may also invite other outside professionals to provide additional expertise.
  

• Independent directors: Independent directors often make up a majority of a board and provide independent and objective counsel. They have no financial relationship to the company aside from their sitting fee, and they don't manage a business's operations.

How to move from manager to director

Consider these steps to move from a management position to a director role:

1. Complete education and certification

When advancing from management to a director position, it may be helpful to ensure that you have the necessary educational credentials. A bachelor's degree is often a prerequisite for upper management positions, and a master's degree in business management may help you distinguish yourself from other candidates. If you haven't already completed these degrees, you can consider enrolling in school either part-time or full-time.You may also need to pursue additional certification, depending on the role you seek. For example, if you're hoping to earn a position as a human resources director, you may have to complete a certification in human resources management through a professional accreditation body.

2. Develop skills

It may be helpful to develop professional directing skills before applying for a director position. You can consider taking on greater leadership responsibilities in your workplace and collaborating with other managers on company initiatives. You might also look for classes and seminars that teach business and finance skills, leadership and communication.

3. Build visibility

When moving from management to director positions, it may be helpful to increase your visibility within the company. This can allow you to show your capabilities to senior leaders. Consider asking those in leadership for greater responsibilities or starting a new initiative at work.When starting new initiatives or projects, consider starting with a proposal and presenting it to company leadership. If they approve it, you can build a team and see the project to completion. This can show that you have many of the essential skills of a director, including vision, teamwork and leadership.

4. Seek guidance

It may be helpful to find a mentor or adviser to help you assess your professional progress and give you advice. You might consider asking someone with leadership experience, such as a colleague or a former manager. Having an adviser can help you gain confidence, assess your progress and help you to better understand the role you're pursuing. Experienced professionals may also connect you with employment opportunities once you've developed your skills and abilities.

5. Understand the position

It's important to thoroughly learn about the role of a director so that you can adequately prepare for the new role. Consider conducting online research, listening to business lectures or speaking to directors in order to understand the difference between your current and future roles. This can help prepare you for the increased responsibility of being a director and show you how to increase your readiness.

6. Ask for the promotion

After raising your visibility within a company and developing your skill set, look for open director positions within your company or elsewhere. If your company has openings in upper management, you can consider asking your company leadership to consider you for the role. When you meet, you can describe your qualifications and any successful projects you've led as a manager. This can help these leaders recognize your investment in your professional advancement and show them that you're adequately prepared for the role.

(Source: Indeed)