Negotiating job title - Manager to Sr Manager

Question

Can I negotiate a job title from Manager to Sr. Manager for a Fortune 50 company? Still in the interview process and would wait for an offer before doing so.

The base is 10% higher salary than my last Manager Role (which was referred to as a lead role - had 4 direct reports and this would have been a Sr. Manager or Director role at many companies, but unfortunately my prior company only had "Manager" below directors) and my OTE would be an additional 80%.

So the total comp would be about 90% more than what I was last making with my targets hit. This is in the same industry as prior role (business development in payments industry).

So salary should be almost 90% more than prior job, but I'm sick of not having title promotions on resume over these past 6 years and should have left my last role much sooner. Thanks!

19g617l4n47pa3 · Accepted Answer

I’m sorry to say I would say this is unlikely unless you have clarified the responsibilities of the role already.

A senior manager would be responsible for multiple teams line managing at least 12+ people directly/indirectly and managing managers.

There is normally budget (salary+compensation) factored into vacancies, making it difficult to hire beyond the approved level.

Additionally considerations are normally required on career paths of personnel who may be looking to obtain this senior level also and fair treatment of their skillsets and experience.

eightysixer · Answer

Are you going to be managing managers? Have you done so in the past? That's usually a prerequisite for a senior manager title.

The only caveat is - and my reference here is interviewing for IC roles so take with a grain of salt - if they are targeting the interview at one level, the compensation/offer committee targets pay at that level, etc. and you come in at the end asking for a higher level, it may trigger a redo of parts of the interview process.

In IC land, we generally need to confirm the level(s) we're being evaluated for at the start of the interview loop. Some companies have a loop that allows them to decide on a level at the end of the interview, but some companies want to change the loop to up-level you.

In your shoes, I would weigh the desire for the title (which is totally legitimate, I get it!) with the desire to not fumble the bag. 90% total comp increase is life changing. Maybe they have a realistic path internally to senior manager?

Negotiating job title - Manager to Sr Manager

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