How to gauge salary uplift for small promotion?

Naf

Manager called earlier this week to sound me out for a possible new position they might be creating. Thankfully the existence of a new salary for it was explicitly mentioned, but I have no idea how to gauge if whatever they might offer is reasonable, or if I could push for a bit more.

I work as a "developer tester"; basically testing our products hardware and software as new versions and features get churned out. We're a fairly small, but worldwide company. I started 2½ years ago on £21k; there was another £1k after finishing 6 months, another £1k to bring us in line when they hired someone new, and some others to put me on £24½k now.

So on the one hand there seems to be some generosity there; but on the other I'm still of the impression we're paid a bit low compared to what we could get in, say, Leeds. But I'm OK with that since the travel there would wipe out most of not all of any difference. And I think that's the general feeling around the office.

The new position would essentially be coordinating the small team I'm a part of. Three of us in my office (but I do believe they want to expand) and I'm assuming also the couple of bodies in our other UK office.

I guess one thing I don't have a feel for is what the typical uplift might be between working in a small team to coordinating them. I did look on glass door (lol), but suggesting like £40k for it seems wildly unrealistic haha.

caeler

If you check out indeed or total jobs that might give you an idea of what the open market might pay for that type of job.  Just consider are you happy? Is this an opportunity to gain experience and knowledge that you want? If so maybe “wildly” isn’t what to expect and maybe nothing to begin with. I’ve had many jobs where it is prove yourself first but thankfully that has paid off in the end. Good luck! 

Naf

Yeah, the closest sorts of roles I can see on there are still saying 35-45K, so I still can't see that as realistic.

I'm really just not sure what sort of salary difference there generally would be between team member and a coordination role for the same team.

Zelazny

Looking at other jobs available in the area, that you could reasonably expect to get - how do they compare?  I've found the best way to ask for a pay rise was to apply for other jobs, then mention it to my boss (I like to be open about these things) - see how the conversation develops.  

General_Grant

Perhaps you should look at what the job you are doing now would pay in other places and see what sort of differential there is.  Then look at the £35K (often people advertise more than they really want to pay or it's a range where you start at the lower end) and apply the same kind of percentage differential.  Where would that get you?

TELLIT01

I'm glad to see that the OP doesn't see a move from 24k to 35-40k as realistic for what they describe as a 'small promotion'.  Nonetheless, taking on responsibility for staff shouldn't be underestimated.  Would the OP simply be co-ordinating the work or would they have responsibility for managing them e.g. doing appraisals, disciplinary.....  That would certainly make a difference to my financial requirements to take on the role.  For a simple co-ordinator role, possibly 2 or 3k uplift.  For management responsibilities, at least double that.

Mickey666

This is a bit like the 'is this house worth it' question that so often crops up on this forum, for which there is no absolute answer as it mostly depends on comparisons.
So, as above, compare with other similar jobs within the commuting area.  Also consider the marketplace that the employer is working in.  The same job in different markets can often command significantly different salaries.
I'd also consider talking to recruitment companies specialising in such jobs, they should be familiar with actual salaries being paid in the area.  But beware of positions offering 'up to' £xxx and be honest about whether you're really at the top of your game or have only just been promoted into a new position.  Years of proven experience counts for a lot.
Company potential also counts for a lot.  Is it doing well and growing or is it struggling to survive - this is important because your own potential for growth will be closely linked with the company's fortunes.

getmore4less

What sector/product type?  be as vague as you need to be

Some pay good, some never will, some just what they think they can get away with 
if the later this is the time to address any imbalance

How developed are the QA processes, are you well automated or still mainly hands on

Any innovation going on on the QA side of things.

Do you have any idea what the development people are getting?
How good are they,  are the deliveries decent or a mess that need fixing? 

Naf

Zelazny said:

Looking at other jobs available in the area, that you could reasonably expect to get - how do they compare?  I've found the best way to ask for a pay rise was to apply for other jobs, then mention it to my boss (I like to be open about these things) - see how the conversation develops.  

General_Grant said:

Perhaps you should look at what the job you are doing now would pay in other places and see what sort of differential there is.  Then look at the £35K (often people advertise more than they really want to pay or it's a range where you start at the lower end) and apply the same kind of percentage differential.  Where would that get you?

So it looks like 20-25 or 25-35 is about the range typically advertised, depending how you classify my role. Then 35-45 for what appears to be the next bracket, but I feel as though I would be somewhere in between - coordinating rather than full on managing.

Naf

TELLIT01 said:

I'm glad to see that the OP doesn't see a move from 24k to 35-40k as realistic for what they describe as a 'small promotion'.  Nonetheless, taking on responsibility for staff shouldn't be underestimated.  Would the OP simply be co-ordinating the work or would they have responsibility for managing them e.g. doing appraisals, disciplinary.....  That would certainly make a difference to my financial requirements to take on the role.  For a simple co-ordinator role, possibly 2 or 3k uplift.  For management responsibilities, at least double that.

I believe it will really just be day to day coordinating, but I do intend to seek a decent job description to make sure exactly what would/wouldn't be my purview. But that's the sort of idea I was looking for; I just don't have a handle on how pay progressions within office type jobs go; this being my first job of that type.

Naf

getmore4less said:

What sector/product type?  be as vague as you need to be

Some pay good, some never will, some just what they think they can get away with 
if the later this is the time to address any imbalance

How developed are the QA processes, are you well automated or still mainly hands on

Any innovation going on on the QA side of things.

Do you have any idea what the development people are getting?
How good are they,  are the deliveries decent or a mess that need fixing? 

Oh boy... haha.

We're in the gaming industry, and the processes are pretty all over the place across the board. We are in the process of improving and getting a handle on that better, which I guess is part of the reason for the role.

I should probably ask one of the devs, that's a good point.