I need advice on an internal promotion negotiation. I work at a small company (under 30 employees) in a mid-size city in North Carolina. I’m moving from Graphic Designer ($65k) to Art Director. Management just officially offered me $70,000 (a 7% raise).
I want to counter with $80,000 (a 23% jump). Here is the context: I am on the younger side, but I’ve been here a while. In fact, due to a high workload and company transition, management asked me to step up and handle the Art Director duties for the past few months—which I did under a massive workload with zero extra compensation. I’ve already proven I can handle the role.
On top of that, a coworker who resigned from this exact position last month was making $85,000. They just brought on an older, external Art Director (who is definitely making market rate) and an entry-level digital designer who I’m now expected to help onboard and mentor.
Is a 23% jump too aggressive to ask for internally at a small company, considering they previously paid $85k for this role and I’ve already been doing the work for free? How do I navigate this? Thanks!
It won’t hurt to ask, and you definitely should ask. For that matter, ask for $85,000 and negotiate down if you need to. If the job involves managing other people, a 7% pay increase is insufficient.
I don’t think $80k is an unreasonable counter here. You’ve already been performing the higher-level responsibilities, the company previously paid $85k for the same role, and you’ll now be mentoring someone as well.
I’d frame the conversation around the responsibilities and demonstrated performance, rather than the percentage increase. Something like: “Based on the scope of the Art Director role and the responsibilities I’ve already been handling, I’d like to discuss $80k as a fair adjustment.”
Even if they can’t reach $80k, it gives you room to negotiate rather than accepting $70k immediately.
I wouldn’t focus too much on the percentage increase. This isn’t simply a pay rise it’s a promotion to a more senior role with additional responsibilities.
As others have said - if they previously paid $85,000 for the same position, and you’ve already shown that you can do the job, so I’d ask for that then you might negotiate down to $80k, as people have already suggested anyway.
If they genuinely can’t offer that immediately, you could suggest a written salary-progression agreement perhaps $75,000 now and $80,000 after six or twelve months. Just make sure it includes firm dates and figures, rather than a vague promise to review your salary later.
I wouldn’t agree on a longer salary progression like starting at 7% and rising to the salary you want over 4 years. You’ll be performing the full Art Director role from day one, so you shouldn’t need four years to reach the appropriate salary especially if you’re already doing the job.
Only one tip, for advertisement or promotion the best option is Social Network like Twitter, YouTube etc …. just remember, if you are doing this at first time then it will take time it is not that easy.
MaryG didn’t come here asking for advice on marketing….I’m sure she already knows what works best.
I agree on the counter of $85K. If you are a proven asset, now with the added responsibility of a larger staff, it isn’t unreasonable, given the argument of the rate of the person who resigned.
Compensation is about more than salary. See if you can get:
More paid time off (vacation, family leave, sick days)
Insurance: health, dental, vision, life
Employer matching retirement contributions
Support for professional development (tuition reimbursement, LinkedIn Learning subscription, conference attendance). Even if you don’t want to do it for graphic design, consider classes in business and management since that may help with future negotiations
Work flexibility (work from home a few days a month?)
Gym membership
Improved budget for professional tools (computer, phone, subscriptions for software, stock, fonts)
Entertainment budget (The last year I was in-house they wouldn’t give me any of the above, but they did give me $500 for this. I used it to take our contracted designers and printers out to lunch and learn more about business practices. When I left the next year to go freelance I had a good professional network. Social capital.)
