Executive Career Coaching for Director and VP-Level Operators

Built for operators, by an operator

At the Director and VP level, the job search changes. Fewer roles, longer processes, more stakeholders and a lot more riding on your story. Generic advice stops working.

I'm Mike Leighty, founder and head coach of Long Game Career Coaching. I led Cisco's Fast Track program. At Adobe, I led global sales contact center operations through the shift to subscription as the business grew from $200M to $2B. At Nike, I led Scaled Analytics Portfolio Management, helping move a 400-plus person organization to a product-based operating model. I hold an MBA in international business and sports management from Saint Mary's College of California.

I coach the way good operators run a business: clear targets, honest scorecards and no fluff.

Moving up: the jump to Director or VP

Getting promoted at this level is less about doing more and more about being seen as the person who already operates at the next level. We'll work on:

• Translating your work into scope, scale and business impact that leaders recognize
• Your executive presence in the room and in writing
• Sponsors, not just mentors, and how to earn them
• A promotion case your leadership can say yes to

Moving between big companies

Jumping from one large company to another is its own sport. Titles don't map cleanly, leveling varies and the interview loops are long. Together we'll:

• Decode leveling so you don't trade down by accident
• Build a story that travels across companies and industries
• Prepare for panel interviews, case-style questions and leadership deep dives
• Plan outreach to the people who actually influence senior hires

Offers and negotiation

At this level, the offer conversation can be as important as the interviews. The Peak membership ($599/mo) includes more frequent 1:1 coaching plus interview, offer and negotiation support, so you're not walking into the most important conversation of the search alone. Coaching is not legal or financial advice, so for contract terms or equity questions, bring in an attorney or financial advisor.

Programs for senior leaders

• Training Camp ($1,500): a focused, short-term intensive for an active search, a role transition or a layoff. Founding Member Training Camp is $1,200 for the first 25 clients.
• Build ($249/mo): a monthly 1:1 plus group coaching, good for a steady, long-game promotion push.
• Peak ($599/mo): more frequent 1:1s plus interview, offer and negotiation support.

Coaching is available in person in Portland or by video anywhere, which works well for busy calendars and leaders spread across time zones. No coach can guarantee a role or a promotion. What you'll get is a sharp, honest partner who has operated at scale.

Questions, answered