How to Become a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) in Your 30s

How to become a chief marketing officer (CMO)? We look at ways in which a young marketer aspiring for this role can prepare, and also listen to the advice given by high-achievers who were appointed CMO in their 30s.

The role of a CMOOpens a new window is multi-dimensional and the best CMOs today are creative, innovative, strategic thinkers with a strong understanding of technology. Of all the roles in the c-suite, this is the one that probably spans the largest range of expectations – both strategic as well as execution-related. CMOs are architects of the customer experience and often drive product and service innovation. They define and manage all aspects of the brand and take a stand on social issues that are important to their consumers. Many of them drive change within their organizations and also play an active role in industry conversations.     

The potential to make an impact, as well as associated challenges, make the CMO role exciting for young marketers in a corporate environment, who often wonder how they can become a chief marketing officer. Young marketing professionals who aspire to be a CMO in their thirties can boldly pursue this ambition if they are equipped with the right insights, attitudes, and skills. 

Learn More: The Modern Chief Marketing Officer Is Also Chief Change AgentOpens a new window

Chart Your Path to Become a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO)

Review your resume against the following parameters to see whether you’re on course to becoming a CMO, or if there are gaps that need to be filled. Let’s look at the five most important areas that you should focus on and develop.

1. Education and experience: A Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with a specialization in marketing is the degree that’s found most often on the resume of CMOs. In addition, most also have at least 10 years of work experience in a marketing role. 
    
2. An ability to collaborate with other functions: The CMO role functions at the intersection of product development, delivery, customer service, IT and data analytics. If you can develop the ability and demonstrate your experience in working with cross-functional teams, you will build the confidence that you’ll make a great CMO.
    
3. Creative thinking: Marketing tells stories about the brand in creative ways through different media such as advertising, PR and social media. As you prepare to don the CMO role, try to develop your creative thinking and gain experience in handling impactful creative projects.
    
4. Marketing technology: A range of powerful technology applications are used to get the best returns from marketing efforts and investments. Some of these are CRMs, marketing automation, web analytics, social media management platforms, and customer data platforms. A good understanding of these marketing technologies and an ability to utilize them effectively is an important attribute for a CMO today.
    
5. Leadership: The CMO is the leader of the marketing team, and quite often, the team be a mix of on-site and remote resources, as well as employees, agencies and contractors. Can you develop the ability to lead such a team, and get the best performance from each individual, to collectively achieve corporate objectives? Leadership development training programs and reading could help you to develop in this area.
    

Learn More: The Rise of the Hyper-Relevant CMOOpens a new window

Let’s Hear It From Folks Who Became CMOs in Their 30s

Leslie Berland of Twitter, Jen Rubio of Away and Ryan Bonnici of G2 all became CMOs in their 30s, and have been featured in the Forbes list of ‘The World’s Most Influential CMOs’ for 2019Opens a new window . Let’s look at the advice they offer to young marketers.

Find a Role and Company That Aligns With Your Passion
 

Leslie BerlandOpens a new window was appointed as Twitter’sOpens a new window first-ever chief marketing officer in 2016 when she was 37 years old and was given the responsibility of marketing TwitterOpens a new window to users and advertisers. Subsequently, her role was expanded to include ‘Head of People’. CNBC Make ItOpens a new window spoke with Leslie Berland about her career advice for young people and wrote that: “Rather than believing success is tied to a prestigious position, Berland says young people should understand success is really tied to their passion and the impact they can have on a company. She advises recent graduates not be so quick to say “yes” to a job simply because the title or company sounds good. Instead, she says, find a job that “reflects what excites you, what motivates you and what inspires you.” That’s when, she emphasizes, “you will do your best work.”

The purpose, culture, and values of a company are very important. If you are aiming for a marketing leadership position there, do study these aspects, and whether they resonate with your own passion and values.

Learn More: How CMO Trends Drive the IndustryOpens a new window

With Passion and Purpose, You Can Forge Your Own Path
 

Jen RubioOpens a new window did not land a plum job as a CMO, but rather co-founded a luggage company – AwayOpens a new window . She took it to a valuation of $1.4 billion and raised $100 million in 2019. She is featured on the Forbes list for her ‘steady yet adventurous’ leadership of the marketing function. The brand targets young consumers and speaks their language across digital channels. 

In an interview to Inc.Opens a new window , Jen shares advice for young marketers. “You don’t have to graduate from an Ivy League school, and work at a particular place, and get an MBA to start a billion-dollar company. But you have to have a purpose. If you start a company because you think you should, but your heart is not in it–that won’t give you the fuel to get through the hard stuff. We had the passion…”

Make the Most of Opportunities to Network
 

Ryan BonniciOpens a new window became a part of the C-suite at G2Opens a new window , a business solution review platform, at the age of 29, and has led its rebranding. His journey to the chief marketing officer role is fascinating. Ryan used to work as a flight attendant with Qantas, serving in the economy class before being promoted to business and first-class. There he made the best use of his time and access to business leaders. He would Google more information about passengers he found interesting, and strike up conversations. It was such a chat with a Microsoft executive that helped him to know how he could apply for a cadetship and got him his first break in the industry. Ryan went on to work at Hubspot and Salesforce before landing his dream job at G2. 

Ryan’s adviceOpens a new window for young marketers with the ambition to become a chief marketing officer: “I think what I’ve done and what I’d recommend other people do, is try and grow and join a mid-size company or a bigger company, whereby you’re working under someone that you really admire and is incredibly smart and good at what they do. Because I think that’s really the most important thing. it’s like the learnings that you will get and the autonomy that you’re getting from being able to try different things and new things.”

Never Stop Learning or Trying

These pointers from the high-achievers who landed the chief marketing officer job when they were less than 40 years old are extremely valuable for other young marketers who are striving to achieve the same milestone. You can delve further into the concepts detailed here by looking for podcasts, interviews, publicationsOpens a new window , and training programsOpens a new window . Start today! Passion and preparation will help you to become a CMO in your 30s. 

Are you driven by the ambition to be a CMO? How are you preparing for this role and which knowledge resources are most useful to you? Is the path of how to become a chief marketing officer (CMO) looking clearer? Do let us know on FacebookOpens a new window , LinkedInOpens a new window or TwitterOpens a new window .