First person account: Negotiating paycheck during Covid-19

Outgoing CEO of a multichannel retail MNC in South East Asia After six years in a South-East Asian country (heading an MNC’s regional operations), I longed to come back to India. That was when this Indian consumer company in foods space – with a turnover exceeding Rs 1,000 crore – approached me for a CEO role.

Our discussions – which happened over numerous phone calls and video chats - went on for eight weeks – four discussing my package. Negotiating compensation in the post-Covid world can be quite challenging. But there is room for discussion – and a significant package upgrade – for candidates who the company feels can bring value to the business. I am joining at a 25% raise from my current package of around $700,000.

In my current job, where I am serving notice period, my package is divided into fixed and variable pay in the ratio of 70:30. In the new job which I join in December, my variable will be 50%. The company has agreed to a sign-on amount of $150,000. The sign-on bonus will be paid in two instalments – but with a claw-back that if I quit within 24 months, I stand to pay back the entire amount.


Boards are much more conscious of the money they pay their chief executives – with emphasis on greater accountability.

(Based on a case study from an actual salary negotiation between the CEO, company and executive search firm)