New role offered, how to argue for a pay rise?

[pebblepots]

I have been offered a new role in my current company. I'm interested, but they want me to do it for the same money.

So far I have spoken to the would-be new manager about a higher salary, she has asked her Director who has asked the Finance Director. Who has said no .

The reasons given for saying no are that the level of responsibilities are broadly the same as my current job and that pay reviews only happen in January. I agree the responsibilities are generally at the same level however the workload would be more and I have to put the extra effort in learning a new role.

With regard to January pay reviews I think this isn't relevant as this is a NEW job vacancy. They are also not committing to anything in January.

Should I send an email direct to the Director and Finance Director putting my case forward?

Well I think if the level of responsibility is about the same then it's unlikely they will want to set the salary higher tbh. You having to learn a new job isn't a reason to pay a higher salary because on that logic, anyone new starting a job would start on a higher salary then go down to a 'normal' salary once they'd learned the job which obviously doesn't happen.

In fact if anything, needing to spend time learning the job as opposed to coming in and being able to perform it well from day 1 would be an indicator for a lower salary, not higher.

Workload also isn't a reason for a higher salary generally. Presumably to fit a heavier workload into the same hours you will need to work more efficiently during that time, which isn't something that generally indicates a higher salary is appropriate.

Good arguments for a higher salary level for a new post would be as follows;

If it is a higher level of responsibility
If it requires qualifications or skills at a higher level which you have but aren't necessary for your current role
If you are bringing extra skills or experience to this role which are over and above what they need but will be useful
If they will find it difficult to find someone else suitable for the job and you are therefore in a good negotiating position
If the external market rate for this job is much higher

However if it's the same level of responsibility just a sideways move to a different role, it's difficult to see why they'd set the salary higher to be honest.

If you're not particularly keen to move and that's why you want a financial incentive to do so you might be in a better negotiating position, as long as they really want you.

thanks flowery, doesn't seem likely then

Well, objectively there doesn't sound like much justification for the role to be set at a higher salary so it probably would come down to personal negotiation- how much they want you vs how much you want the job/ are willing to stay where you are if you don't get an increase.

the thing is I would like to move as my current job is not that enjoyable so I shouldn't really say I won't do it unless there's a rise as they may well call my bluff.

I have thought of something, I have Prince 2 Foundation qualification which falls into your category of not required for the new job but will be very useful, as the new job is an admin/project coordinator role. Also I don't use it in my current role.

I don't know how much they want me as posed to someone else, they are keen to have me. I am well thought of, have bags of experience in this type of role and with the systems they use and getting me would mean they don't have to go through the cost and time of recruiting externally and training new person.

Ok, so don't bluff then. But the Prince 2 is something you can use, as well as your extensive experience in the tasks as well as in depth knowledge of the organisation/systems/client base/whatever, all of which is over and above they'd get with external recruitment, with the added plus that you'll hit the ground running, saving them time, money and effort involved in recruiting someone new, with the additional management time hiring someone and supporting them in their first 6 months takes.

Worth putting that case to them and seeing how you go, but if salary reviews are in three months anyway I do think it's more likely they'll want to wait until then, which of course gives you three months to wow them!

thanks for your advice

Annual salary reviews?? Didn't think anyone still had them!

Salary reviews don't necessarily equal salary increases Cooroo..

We get annual salary reviews. We don't always get annual salary increases.

Oh ok! Don't get either but live in hope!