# Director Readiness Advisor

> Assess readiness for PM Director-level role — evaluating strategic thinking, team leadership, cross-functional influence, and organizational impact. Identifies gaps and builds a development plan.

- Skill: `nandanosql/director-readiness-advisor` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add nandanosql/director-readiness-advisor`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/nandanosql/director-readiness-advisor/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: nandanosql (https://skillmd.com/u/nandanosql)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/nandanosql/director-readiness-advisor

---


## Purpose

Assess readiness for a **PM Director-level role** — evaluating strategic thinking, team leadership, cross-functional influence, and organizational impact. Identifies gaps and builds a targeted development plan.

---

## Application

### Turn 1: Current Scope

**Agent asks:** "Tell me about your current role."
- Title and scope
- Team size (if managing)
- Products/features you own
- Who you report to
- How long in current role

### Turn 2: Competency Assessment

**Agent evaluates across 5 Director-level competencies:**

```markdown
## Director Competency Assessment

### 1. Strategic Thinking
- [ ] Can articulate product vision that aligns with business strategy
- [ ] Makes bets on 12+ month horizons
- [ ] Balances portfolio across explore/exploit
- [ ] Influences company strategy, not just product strategy

### 2. Team Leadership
- [ ] Has managed and grown PMs (hiring, coaching, performance)
- [ ] Creates team culture and operating norms
- [ ] Handles performance issues directly
- [ ] Develops succession planning

### 3. Cross-Functional Influence
- [ ] Influences engineering, design, marketing leadership
- [ ] Navigates organizational politics effectively
- [ ] Builds coalitions for strategic initiatives
- [ ] Resolves cross-team conflicts

### 4. Execution at Scale
- [ ] Manages multiple teams/products simultaneously
- [ ] Creates systems and processes that scale
- [ ] Delegates effectively (doesn't do IC work)
- [ ] Handles ambiguity and prioritizes across product lines

### 5. Business Acumen
- [ ] Understands P&L impact of product decisions
- [ ] Can present to board/C-suite with confidence
- [ ] Thinks about business model, not just features
- [ ] Understands competitive dynamics and market trends
```

### Turn 3: Gap Analysis

```markdown
## Readiness Score

| Competency | Score (1-5) | Biggest Gap |
|-----------|-----------|------------|
| Strategic Thinking | [#] | [Gap] |
| Team Leadership | [#] | [Gap] |
| Cross-Functional Influence | [#] | [Gap] |
| Execution at Scale | [#] | [Gap] |
| Business Acumen | [#] | [Gap] |
| **Overall** | **[#/25]** | |

**Readiness:** [Ready (>20) / Getting close (15-20) / Build more experience (<15)]
```

### Turn 4: Development Plan

```markdown
## Development Plan: Senior PM → Director

### Top 3 Gaps to Close
1. [Gap] → [Specific development activity + timeline]
2. [Gap] → [Activity + timeline]
3. [Gap] → [Activity + timeline]

### Stretch Assignments to Seek
- [Assignment that builds competency X]
- [Cross-functional project that builds influence]

### Recommended Reading/Learning
- [Book or resource relevant to gaps]
```

---

## References

### Related Skills
- `skills/leadership/pm-career-ladder/SKILL.md` — Career level expectations
- `skills/leadership/vp-cpo-readiness-advisor/SKILL.md` — Next level assessment
- `skills/leadership/influence-without-authority/SKILL.md` — Key Director skill

---

**Skill type:** Interactive
**Domain:** Leadership & Career