Prior to the rollout of the Salary System in 2023, we started to recognize that there was some discrepancy around how each area was using titles and establishing expectations for every level. Some of this was by design as we want to give each area autonomy in how they craft their career frameworks. However, over time this amounted to different expectations at each level between areas.
The Salary System is designed to eliminate that variability and create consistent expectations for each level across all areas.
The Buffer Career Framework (Levels & Steps) now clearly outlines company wide expectations at every level. The Framework is a system of Levels and Steps that reflect every Bufferoo’s experience, seniority, and growth. Teams use this as the foundation for their own area- and role-specific frameworks.
You’ll also find consistency in how we apply titles across all teams for both the IC and Manager path:
| IC | Manager | |
|---|---|---|
| Level 4 | Senior | |
| Level 5 | Senior | |
| Level 6 | Staff | Senior |
| Level 7 | Director | |
| Level 8 | Director | |
| Level 9 | VP | |
| Level 10 | VP or Chief | |
| Level 11 | Chief |
The Head of title can be used externally by those on the manager track at Senior or above, when they are owning a clear functional area or sub-area. This can be useful when working with vendors who may otherwise expect that there is someone at a higher level they should speak to, when in fact the team member is the person who owns and is empowered fully to make decisions in relation to that party. As an example, Hailley is a Senior Manager and may sometimes choose use the Head of Content & Communications if it enables her to be more effective in working with external vendors or with press.