The simple way to get a job like that, is to apply for it. Instead of waiting for someone to retire in your current company for instance.
And its not unheard of. My sister-in-law worked from startup contributor to Cisco VP by applying for the next job up, one at a time, from company to company.
And its not unheard of. My sister-in-law worked from startup contributor to Cisco VP by applying for the next job up, one at a time, from company to company.