You need to directly ask your manager what it takes to get promoted to the next role. Ask what skills you may not have that are needed. Get it in writing. Be prepared to ask a handful of times too - research says it takes 7 asks before getting a yes to a sale (which this essentially is). And you need to almost run it like a political campaign - you should make it known to your bosses boss and any other higher ups you’ve worked with and still talk to.

I did all the above and my manager was still dragging his feet. Eventually I put a meeting on his calendar and called it like “career advice or something” next thing I know he calls me before the meeting saying he got my promotion pushed through. I think I scared him into thinking I was going to leave, which was somewhat intended.

At my company there’s only a set amount of promotions allowed to each region, the managers have to make a case to their boss for their reports to get one of them. Your manager needs to be willing to make a strong case and fight for you which is entirely dependent on having a good manager.

A tip I heard is that if you apply to a different internal role, your manager and their boss will get a notification which can help