Engineering Manager → VP Engineering

A realistic transition from Engineering Manager to VP Engineering: transferable skills, the gaps to close, a step-by-step learning plan and alternative routes. Estimated skill overlap 48%. Difficulty: Medium.

Difficulty: Medium6 stepsDuration: 9 to 13 monthsOverlap: 48%

Transition from Engineering Manager to VP Engineering.

Transferable skills

  • Engineering leadership
  • Hiring
  • Delivery at scale
  • Stakeholder management

Skills to learn

  • Strategy
  • Org design
  • Technical vision
  • Budget

Step-by-step learning plan

  1. 1. Build on your Engineering Manager experience

    2–4 weeks

    Leverage

    • Engineering leadership
    • Hiring
    • Delivery at scale
    • Stakeholder management

    Map transferable skills — Engineering leadership, Hiring, Delivery at scale — against what a VP Engineering needs.

  2. 2. Learn the core of the VP Engineering role

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Strategy
    • Org design

    Technologies

    Planview

    Cover the biggest gaps first: Strategy, Org design.

  3. 3. Master advanced VP Engineering skills

    6–10 weeks

    Learn

    • Technical vision
    • Budget

    Handle the advanced topics: Technical vision, Budget.

  4. 4. Get productive with the VP Engineering toolchain

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    Planview

    Be hands-on with Planview and the rest of the target stack.

  5. 5. Practise VP Engineering work in real conditions

    4–8 weeks

    Ship a portfolio project or take on VP Engineering tasks at work.

  6. 6. Get certified and position yourself as a VP Engineering

    4–8 weeks

    Technologies

    SAFe Program ConsultantEngineering LeadershipTOGAF 9 Certified

    Update your CV and LinkedIn around VP Engineering, then apply to target roles.

Alternative routes