Try our free position agreement template for marketing

As we all know, the marketing process can be crazy. Especially if roles are not well defined and understood. Plus, a marketing organization with a lot of utility players can get really messy if everyone has some piece of a skillset to get some part of each others work started. We noticed the same things at Mighty & True. For the first few years, we struggled with our team really not knowing clearlly who did what. We had a lot of really well meaning people guessing at what they should do next... while others just were paralyzed if they didn't know what they were ultimately accountable for. This caused so much heartache that we went on a search to fix it.

Along came the Position Agreement. Originally coined by eMyth, a position agreement is a powerful tool that can help you clarify roles, responsibilities, and expectations within your team.

So, what exactly is a position agreement?

Simply put, it's a written document that outlines the key aspects of a particular position within an organization. Much more than a job description, it defines the results the person is responsible for, reporting positions, the specific strategic tasks and responsibilities of the role and the measures that the person will managed against. Though it's like a contract between the organization and the employee that establishes clear expectations from the start, it really is a clarifying document for each and every role in a marketing department and helps each person know what they and others are going to be doing.

But why use position agreements in a marketing organization?

Well, there are several reasons. First and foremost, position agreements help to avoid confusion and misunderstandings between team members. And marketing is by nature a messy business. By defining each person's role and responsibilities, everyone knows exactly what they're supposed to be doing and how their work fits into the larger picture.

Position agreements also help to ensure that everyone is working toward the same goals. When everyone has a clear understanding of what they're working on and why, they're more likely to collaborate effectively and achieve the desired results.

Another benefit of using position agreements is that they can help with accountability. By clearly defining expectations and outcomes, it's easier to measure progress and hold team members accountable for their performance. This can help to improve overall productivity and ensure that the team is delivering results.

The position agreement deconstructed

So, what are the key parts of a position agreement? Typically, a position agreement will include:

• Position Identification refers to the position title and management chain.

• Result Statements are clear descriptions of the high-level outcome a position is expected to achieve.

• Work Listing outlines the specific strategic and tactical work to be accomplished.

• Strategic Work establishes routine, policy, standards, and practices in service to the Strategic Objective.

• Tactical Work produces and delivers products and services, and also includes the administrative work required to support the business.

• Standards provide position-specific and companywide clarity of quantities, qualities, and behaviors.

• Signatures confirm the commitment from both the employee and their manager to deliver on the agreement. Yes, they actually sign the document.

Of course, the specific details of each position agreement will vary depending on the role and the organization. But the main idea is to create a document that clearly defines what each team member is responsible for and what they're expected to achieve.

Position Agreement Templates

At Mighty & True, there is a signed position agreement for every position in our company... from the Copy Specialist to the President. It's what we all look to to make sure we know what we are accountable for and how we are contributing to our brand promise every day. To get you started, we've included our base position agreement template document, as well as a few other position agreements to get you started. These are a game changer for us and our team continues to rave about how working at M&T is much different (in a good way) than other places they've been. Expectations are clear and everyone is working towards the same goal.

Simply download the Google doc and get to work!

Base Position Agreement Template

Position Agreement Example - Copy Specialist

Position Agreement Example - Digital Design Specialist

Position Agreement Example - Project Manager

Position Agreement Example - QA Specialist

In summary, using position agreements can be a valuable tool for marketing leaders who want to build a successful and productive team. By clarifying roles and responsibilities of your marketing staff, establishing clear goals, and promoting accountability, position agreements can help to ensure that everyone is working toward the same objectives. So, if you're looking to take your marketing organization to the next level, consider implementing position agreements today! And while you are here, check out out post on the top roles you need to succeed with your tech marketing team here. Finding talent can be tough... we know. If you need help augmenting and scaling your technology marketing effort, learn more about our highly-scaleable marketing-as-a-service approach.

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