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  • Writer's pictureRobert Adelson

Negotiating a Custom CEO or C-level Executive Compensation Package

Updated: Dec 29, 2021

On November 5, 2020, CEOWorld magazine published an article I wrote on “Negotiating a Custom CEO or C-level Executive Compensation Package” . 


This new article is designed for  CEOs, C-level and senior executives, who are negotiating new job offers where the metrics of a routine Gartner or Mercer compensation survey are just not appropriate for that particular CEO or C-level executive compensation package, and the executive employment advisor is called upon to suggest, design and then lead the negotiations for a custom executive compensation package.



woman executive


My article first suggests three situations well suited to justify development and deployment of a custom executive compensation package:

My article then moves on to discuss that the custom package must not only make up for your loss of pay and benefits to leave your current employer, but even more so, to make up for three further critical intangibles as well, and hence – what should be included on your custom executive compensation package? And how much equity compensation should you ask for? 


The article then concludes with my suggestions for how the executive can achieve company “Buy-in” – how do you sell the custom CEO or C-level executive compensation package to an often skeptical employer?  This last part shares three of my best “sales” techniques:

  • You (employer) want and need an “A” team player, this custom package will not only secure the services of a true A player but his or her successful recruitment  will help you to attract still more A team players to the company.

  • You want alignment and this custom package greatly magnifies the alignment of this key executive hire with the growth goals of the company, and

  • Success for my executive, even with this full custom package, means vastly greater success to the company’s stockholders, often 10x, 15x and even 20x pay back return for the company’s stockholders, if the CEO or C-level executive succeeds in his or her mission, and costs little or nothing if he or she does not succeed.

To see my full CEOWorld magazine. article, go to LINK:


This was my 31st article published in CEOWORLD over the last five years.  Previously, the editor advised that I can use “Featured in the CEOWOLRD magazine” and the CEOWORLD “Logo” on my website and add CEOWORLD magazine in my LinkedIn profile’s “Experience Section” as an “Opinion Columnist.” and authority in the field.  See https://ceoworld.biz/author/robert-adelson/


With more than 12.4+ million-page views, CEOWORLD magazine is the world’s leading business magazine written strictly for CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, senior management executives, business leaders, and high net worth individuals worldwide.


It is my hope that this article will be of benefit to CEOs, C-level and senior executives who are considering job offers in situations where a custom executive compensation package is appropriate.  Feel free to tweet or share this article. If you or any colleague of yours has a need in this area, please do reach out to me at rob@attorneyadelson.com.

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