Senior Employment Contract

Senior contracts work harder than junior contracts. The remuneration is more complex, often including bonus, LTIP, or equity; the restrictive covenants are doing real work and need to be drafted to be enforceable on a senior departure; the confidentiality and IP provisions matter more because the individual has access to more; and the notice and garden leave provisions need to be calibrated to the cost and risk of a competitive departure.

Why senior contracts deserve to be drafted, not extrapolated

The most common failure pattern in senior employment is using a junior template stretched upwards, which produces covenants that will not bind a senior person and a remuneration structure that does not contemplate the deal.

Restrictive covenants must be carefully drafted to be enforceable. Courts will strike down covenants that are too wide in scope, duration, or geography. A well-drafted contract balances the need to protect the business with the requirement that the restrictions go no further than reasonably necessary.

Senior contracts include provisions for non-compete, non-solicitation, non-dealing, and non-poaching clauses, bonus and commission provisions, garden leave, detailed IP assignment, and enhanced notice and termination protections.

Example: a typical scope and fixed fee

For a senior or executive hire in a UK business, the typical scope looks like this.

What's included

• A consultation to understand the role, seniority, and your commercial priorities
• Drafting of a comprehensive employment contract covering all standard terms plus restrictive covenants (non-compete, non-solicitation, non-dealing, non-poaching), bonus and commission provisions, garden leave, IP assignment, enhanced notice and termination provisions
• One round of revisions based on your feedback
• Final version ready to issue

What's outside this scope

• Employment tribunal advice or representation
• HR advice on managing the employee once in post
• Director's service agreement (see Director's Service Agreement if the individual is also a director)
• Tax advice

Fixed fee: £650, no VAT.

How I will approach your matter

Once you have instructed me, I will arrange a consultation to understand the role, seniority, and your commercial priorities, particularly the restrictive covenants needed to protect your business. The covenants will be calibrated to be enforceable on a senior departure rather than aspirational.