I was just promoted to a Director at my company.

22 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 19,2022 at 1:48PM UTC

   With all due respect, I would not have signed on until the compensation was made clear to begin with, but here you are. It always baffles me when people take a position without knowing exactly what they will be paid. I would go back to them and ask why they are so far off from what was initially discussed, and what their plans are to bring it more in line with your expectations or what they intiially said it would be. Then go from there. Know your value and your worth, but keep in mind that you need to be realistic with the market too.

2. Kimberley Ferretti HammettSeptember 19,2022 at 1:49PM UTC

   Definitely ask for what you deserve! Express in an objective way that the comp is much further from what you had expected, remind them what you were expecting, and ask for how they arrived at their number. Listen respectfully but be prepared with research to back your number up. If they still push back ask if you are allowed to see the criteria they use for pay grades. You can definitely stand firm while also limiting tension by reminding them you enjoy working there and are excited about this role but need to ensure you're being properly compensated for the increased responsibility. A work culture you enjoy is worth trying to stay but if you aren't being paid fairly this interaction will gnaw at you, especially since they had you sign before revealing the number. Hopefully it's a productive conversation for you. Good luck!

3. AnonymousSeptember 19,2022 at 2:10PM UTC

   I would say it's not too late to negotiate. You can always explain that when you 'signed on', you were doing it directionally, subject to different and higher compensation expectations than you've been given. I think you're actually in a better spot to do that now that you know they've invested / wanted you and probably not looked elsewhere for the role. I know that wasn't your intent so you aren't doing a 'bait and switch' and I would not feel badly about doing this now at all!

   Good luck and let us know how it goes.

4. AnonymousSeptember 20,2022 at 2:08PM UTC

   Thank you! That helps a lot. I think calling out the bait and switch would help underscore my concern. I certainly do not want to leave but, making this much of a sacrifice will impact my family.

5. AnonymousSeptember 19,2022 at 2:13PM UTC

   Unfortunately by signing into an unknown compensation package, you have painted yourself into a corner and that lack of finalizing $ was by design by the company. So lesson learned there.

   All you can do now is arm yourself with market research and try and negotiate. I would lead by saying "I wanted to prove my value and show the demonstrate my worth to Leadership. Now that I've done so I need the company to work with me to true up my compensation within market standards" then present your search and deductive reasoning based on that.

6. Kristie WhiteSeptember 19,2022 at 2:27PM UTC

   Yes, dragging their feet was a tactic. But what do you mean by signed on? Typically a promotion doesn’t include any legal documentation, so I’m hearing you accepted the job. Now you have two scenarios, do your research and negotiate for more money. And consider the compounding value of the promotion after one year. Is that promotion going to position you for your next big jump? What’s the value of the work and responsibility?

7. AnonymousSeptember 20,2022 at 2:15PM UTC

   Great questions! So I’ve been with the company for almost 6 years and this is my 3rd promotion. The most recent promotion I accepted was for me to expand my skill set and have a greater impact on the business. For them, I have a proven track record with developing top talent and managing client relationships.

   My responsibilities are quick expansive. It’s a relatively new program so I’m building and scaling the program’s processes, maintaining/improving client retention, growing/improving employee retention, GTM strategy and, of course, profit/loss.

8. Kristie WhiteSeptember 20,2022 at 6:58PM UTC

   Sounds like you have a good track record already. Would this position prepare you for a Vice President position? Or are you already there? That's the question I would ask myself. It sounds like VP is just around the corner for you (depending on the size of a company of course). Plus if you do the job for a year, then you have a proven track record IN the position to lobby for higher compensation. But I wouldn't back down on comp now if you think you are underpaid compared to other Directors - your current salary needs to be comparable unless they can defend it.

9. AnonymousSeptember 19,2022 at 2:54PM UTC

   I was in a similar situation though have been successful with negotiating an increased salary.

10. AnonymousSeptember 20,2022 at 2:16PM UTC

    That’s great news! I think they are open to listening but I’m concerned with the outcome. What was your approach?

11. AnonymousSeptember 20,2022 at 2:57PM UTC

    I gave a range that was appropriate for the position and let them know that I was not going to sell myself short.

    Good luck!

12. Gretchen SkalkaSeptember 19,2022 at 3:04PM UTC

    I think there is a third path to consider, which is to stay in the new role with the great culture and professional relationships - and develop them all.

    Because what you sign on with and what you get can be two VERY different things.

    Many years ago, I signed on with a company at a rate I knew to be lower than it should be. But, like you, I was aligned with the leadership and their mission.

    After a few months in my role I was give a salary correction that moved my compensation comfortably past what I would have originally felt was justified.

    That role and that leader changed my career.

    Please give it time. Trust your gut on the company, culture and the relationships you've built and the rest will work itself out.

13. Crystal HowellSeptember 19,2022 at 10:24PM UTC

    I would speak up, layout your skill set and know next time moving forward get it in writing or follow up with thank you for your time, and would like to reiterate our comp discussion of xxxxxxxxxxxx. Just Do You, if they can get you for cheap, move on................you can call your friends for lunch or happy hour, you might double your salary now that you have title.

14. JenniferSeptember 19,2022 at 10:59PM UTC

    First, congrats on the promotion! It's even better since it's a company with a great culture, where you're happy and have built strong relationships. I have a few clarifying questions.

    -When you say "signed on," do you mean signed official paperwork, or that you essentially said "This opportunity sounds great. I'm in!"?

    -Are you already in the new role? If so, for how long?

    -Did they actually present you with the comp package, or did you get your first paycheck in the role and realize it was lower than you expected?

    -How far off is your comp from the salary range discussed?

    -Do you have any benchmark data within or outside the company that you based your salary expectation on?

    I think it's totally appropriate to go back to your manager/HR and mention that the salary is lower than what you all discussed. Even if you had been out of ballpark with your salary expectations, manager/HR were aware of what you expected. In my opinion, it was their responsibility to clarify the actual range for the role.

    I agree with other comments that you should approach them with supporting evidence of why your expectations were appropriate and ask what data they used to determine your salary.

15. AnonymousSeptember 20,2022 at 3:07PM UTC

    I started the new role at the start of the quarter. They didn’t have the new comp laid out for a variety of reasons. Mainly with the company going through structural changes so I don’t believe it was intentionally drawn out.

    I do like the idea of understanding the research they did

16. JJSeptember 20,2022 at 12:54AM UTC

    If my company discussed a high salary and then offered me something significantly lower, I would quit.

17. Shanita Taylor BSIS, BSc (Psyc), M.A.E.LSeptember 20,2022 at 1:37AM UTC

    Congratulation,
    This is an upper-level leadership position. This is an eye-opener for you. In the future, do not decide on this without seeing things through or getting all the necessary information. I am not sure why they let you sign on without discussing your pay in the first place. Sound a little sketchy. First, try communicating this to them and see if they would kindly negotiate your payment.

18. Thuyvi DaoSeptember 20,2022 at 1:34PM UTC

    Advocate for yourself and re-negotitate after a few weeks of work where you have exceeded expectations on your tasks given. You know best what kind of finances your family needs, so evaluate what your priorities are and what you want from this job. You are in a senior level leadership position, be your own cheerleader and get what you want. Once the company realizes what you're worth they too will have a crossroad to face in their decision. But you will find more satisfaction if you speak up about it and not let it fester and feel underappreciated for your efforts.

19. AnonymousSeptember 20,2022 at 11:27PM UTC

    I’d do both, starting with looking for new opportunities. Inform your renegotiation by what you find in the market.

    There are a number of upsides to looking for opportunities first:

    -Looking will build your familiarity with the market, help you assess your value, and help you renegotiate.

    -If you come to your employer with an outside offer, it will likely help you renegotiate.

20. Joshua CorderoSeptember 21,2022 at 12:47PM UTC

    You say you don't want to leave because of the great culture and your relationship with the leaders in each department. You have to ask your self if the value those things bring equal the value that is missing from your comp.

    If they do then let go of your comp issues and enjoy your new role, the culture and your relationship with the leaders.

    If this doesn't then you have to be willing to go and find the comp level you feel you deserve.

21. AnonymousSeptember 21,2022 at 1:28PM UTC

    Great work culture doesn’t pay the bills.

22. Shanita Taylor BSIS, BSc (Psyc), M.A.E.LSeptember 26,2022 at 2:10AM UTC

    Giggles