# Example: Prepare an Offer Approval Brief

Fictional company, role and candidate.

## What the user pasted

> Need sign-off for A.P., Senior Product Designer, Kestrel Energy, Lisbon, permanent full time. Backfill for Rui who left in June, budgeted (HC-2291). Panel decided yes on 2 Oct, decision owner Sofia (Head of Design). Scores: user research 4/4, interaction design 3/4, working with engineers 3/4, design systems 2/4 ("can learn it, our system is small").
>
> Band L4: 60k–80k EUR. Want to offer 74k base + 10% bonus. She's on 58k now so it's a big jump for her. Our other two senior designers are on 68k and 71k.
>
> She has 60 days' notice and mentioned her manager "will probably try to keep me". Also interviewing at one other company. Wants 2 remote days, we allow 3.
>
> Approvals: Sofia, then HR (Marta), then Finance (Pedro).

## What the skill produced

# Offer approval request: A.P. for Senior Product Designer

**Level:** L4 · **Location:** Lisbon · **Type:** Permanent, full time · **Requested by:** [TBC] · **Status:** Draft, not for the candidate

## Role need

Backfill for a senior designer who left in June. The role is budgeted (HC-2291). Until it is filled, design work for [TBC: product area] is short of senior cover.

## Selection evidence

**Decision owner:** Sofia (Head of Design) · **Decision date:** 2 Oct

| Criterion | Panel result | Key evidence (source) |
|---|---|---|
| User research | 4 / 4 | [TBC: example not supplied] (panel) |
| Interaction design | 3 / 4 | [TBC] (panel) |
| Working with engineers | 3 / 4 | [TBC] (panel) |
| Design systems | 2 / 4 | Panel note: "can learn it, our system is small" |

## Proposed offer vs band

| Element | Proposed | Band min | Band mid | Band max |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base pay | EUR 74,000 | EUR 60,000 | EUR 70,000 | EUR 80,000 |
| Variable / bonus | 10% | | | |
| Other | None stated | | | |
| **Total cash** | EUR 81,400 (74,000 + 7,400 target bonus) | [TBC: no total-cash band supplied] | | |

- **Position in band:** 70% ((74,000 - 60,000) / (80,000 - 60,000))
- **Compa-ratio:** 1.06 (74,000 / 70,000)
- **Exception to band?** No

## Internal-equity check

- **Comparators (equal work or equal value):** two senior designers at EUR 68,000 and EUR 71,000 base; their bonus and total cash [TBC]. Other roles of equal value at L4 [TBC: HR to confirm]
- **Finding:** Above peers on base. The offer is EUR 3,000 to 6,000 above both current seniors; total cash comparison [TBC].
- **Action:** HR (Marta) to confirm which roles count as equal work or work of equal value, compare total cash, check peers' evidence and tenure, and decide whether peer pay needs review before or alongside this offer.

The candidate's current pay was left out of this brief. The offer should rest on the band, the role and the selection evidence.

## Approvals chain

| Step | Approver | Status | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sofia (Head of Design) | Pending | |
| 2 | Marta (HR) | Pending | |
| 3 | Pedro (Finance) | Pending | |

## Start date and conditions

- **Notice period:** 60 days · **Target start:** [TBC, earliest about 60 days after signing]
- **Conditions:** [TBC: HR to confirm per policy]

## Closing risks

| Risk | What was said (source) | Level (set by team) |
|---|---|---|
| Counter-offer | Candidate said her manager "will probably try to keep me" | [TBC] |
| Competing offer | Interviewing at one other company; stage unknown | [TBC] |
| Notice period | 60 days gives time for a counter-offer | [TBC] |
| Working pattern | Wants 2 remote days; policy allows 3 | [TBC] |

## Closing plan (after approval)

- **Who calls:** Sofia · **When:** [TBC, same day as final approval]
- **Lead with:** The role, the design team and growth into design systems; then the package.
- **Approved flexibility:** Remote days within policy; start date [TBC]
- **Response deadline:** [TBC, suggest 3–5 working days]
- **Counter-offer prep:** Ask early what would make her stay, and agree with Sofia what is and is not open to discussion.

## Checklist

- [ ] All approvals recorded
- [ ] Offer letter checked against approved figures
- [ ] Conditions listed
- [ ] Start date agreed
- [ ] Other finalists told after acceptance

## Open questions

- Who is the requester on this brief? [TBC]
- Short evidence lines for each criterion from the scorecards [TBC]
- Comparators' bonus and total cash, and any other L4 roles of equal value [TBC]
- Which conditions apply to this offer? [TBC]
- Target start date [TBC]
