Promotion notification letter template

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This Promotion Notification Letter provides a formal written confirmation of an employee's promotion to a new role. It sets out the new job title, responsibilities, salary, effective date and other relevant changes while recognising the employee's achievement and contribution.

Use this template to:

  • Formally confirm an employee's promotion
  • Set out the new job title and effective date
  • Confirm revised salary, hours or other contractual changes
  • Explain the employee's new responsibilities and expectations
  • Recognise the employee's contribution and progression
  • Create a clear written record of the promotion and revised terms
Promotion notification letter template
2026 Reviewed
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What's included in this template?

This template brings together the key information, sections and considerations you need to create a clear, comprehensive and professional HR document. Preview the document below.

  • Confirmation of the promotion and new position
  • Effective date and reporting arrangements
  • New salary and other contractual changes
  • Key responsibilities and expectations
  • Confirmation of continuing employment terms
  • Employee acknowledgement and record of the change
Template

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Email

[Sender name]

[Sender address]

[date]

[Recipient name]

[Recipient address]

 

Dear [Recipient first name],

Promotion to [New Job Title]

I am pleased to confirm your promotion to the position of [New Job Title], with effect from [Effective Date].

This promotion recognises your contribution to [Company Name] and the skills, experience and development you have demonstrated in your current role.

Your new role

From [Effective Date], you will take up the position of [New Job Title] and will report to [Manager / Job Title].

Your key responsibilities will include:

  • [Responsibility / Duty]
  • [Responsibility / Duty]
  • [Responsibility / Duty]
  • [Responsibility / Duty]

A revised job description will be provided to you separately / is attached to this letter and should be read alongside this confirmation.

Salary and terms

With effect from [Effective Date], your salary will increase from [Current Salary] to [New Salary] per [Year / Month / Hour], subject to the usual deductions and payroll arrangements.

[Include any other changes to contractual

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£9.99
Specifications
Access 12 months, with updates
Length 2 pages • 363 words
Jurisdiction England, Wales, Scotland
Based on UK law, ACAS guidance
Last review 18/09/2026
Next review 18/03/2027
Delivery Instant digital delivery
Formats .doc · .txt · email

What is a promotion notification letter?

Promotion notification letter template preview

A promotion represents a significant change in an employee's role and may involve changes to job title, responsibilities, salary, working arrangements or other contractual terms. This letter provides a clear and positive way to formally communicate the promotion while ensuring the employee understands the terms that will apply from the effective date.

Confirming the promotion

The letter formally confirms the employee's appointment to their new position and provides a clear record of the promotion. It can be used following an internal recruitment process, promotion decision or career progression arrangement.

Setting out the revised terms

Where the promotion changes contractual terms such as salary, working hours, job title or place of work, these changes can be clearly documented in the letter. This helps ensure the employee and employer have a shared understanding of the new arrangement.

Clarifying the new role

The letter can summarise the employee's key responsibilities and reporting arrangements. A detailed job description can be attached or issued separately where the new position involves significant changes in duties.

Recognising progression

A promotion letter can acknowledge the employee's contribution, performance and development without making unnecessarily detailed claims about their performance. A positive and professional tone helps reinforce the significance of the employee's progression.

Creating a clear employment record

The promotion may constitute a change to the employee's main terms of employment. The letter therefore provides a useful written record of the revised terms and can be retained alongside the employee's existing contract and written statement of employment particulars.

Example

An employee had worked as a Production Team Leader for two years and had progressively taken on additional responsibility for production planning, team development and supporting the Production Manager. Following an internal review of the production structure, the business decided to promote the employee to Assistant Production Manager.

The promotion involved an increase in salary, a revised job title and additional responsibility for coordinating Team Leaders across the production area. The employee's reporting line also changed so that they would report directly to the Production Manager.

The employer met with the employee to discuss the promotion and explained the expectations of the new role. A Promotion Notification Letter was then issued confirming the new position, salary, effective date, reporting arrangements and key responsibilities.

The employee was congratulated on the promotion and the employer updated its HR and payroll records. The revised terms were also reflected in the employee's written employment documentation as appropriate.

Implementation guidance

Use these best practice actions, recommended timescales and process stages to understand when and how the Promotion notification letter should be used, helping ensure each step is handled consistently and appropriately documented.

Step Description Responsibility Timing
1 Confirm the promotion decision, new role, salary, reporting arrangements and any other changes to the employee's terms. Manager / HR Before announcing promotion
2 Discuss the promotion with the employee, including the new role, responsibilities, expectations and effective date. Manager / HR Before or when promotion is confirmed
3 Prepare and issue the promotion notification letter setting out the new position and any changes to contractual terms. HR / Manager Before or promptly after promotion takes effect
4 Update HR, payroll, organisational charts, job descriptions and other relevant systems and records to reflect the promotion. HR / Payroll / Manager On or before effective date
5 Support the employee's transition into the new role and review how the revised responsibilities and arrangements are working. Manager First 1–3 months after promotion
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Common mistakes

Understand the common mistakes to avoid when using this HR template, helping you reduce risk, prevent unnecessary costs and ensure the process is handled correctly.

  • Failing to clearly state the effective date of the promotion
  • Not confirming the revised salary or other changed contractual terms
  • Promoting an employee without clearly explaining the expectations of the new role
  • Failing to update payroll, HR and written employment records
  • Using a promotion letter that does not accurately reflect the terms actually agreed
  • Failing to consider whether the promotion involves a formal internal recruitment or selection process
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HR considerations

UK employment law and best practice

This template is designed to support the process, but the document should be used alongside the relevant HR procedure and applied to the circumstances of the individual case.

Changes to employment terms

A promotion will often involve changes to an employee's contractual terms, such as job title, duties, salary, working hours or reporting arrangements. Where contractual terms change, the employer and employee should be clear about what has been agreed and when the changes take effect. https://www.acas.org.uk/changing-an-employment-contract/employer-responsibilities https://www.acas.org.uk/changing-an-employment-contract/employer-responsibilities/if-employment-contract-changes-are-agreed

Putting changes in writing

Where a promotion changes the employee's main terms of employment, the employer must put the relevant changes in writing within one month of the change. A promotion notification letter can provide the written record, although the employer may instead update and reissue the written statement of employment particulars. https://www.acas.org.uk/what-must-be-written-in-an-employment-contract/changing-written-terms https://www.gov.uk/employment-contracts-and-conditions/written-statement-of-employment-particulars

Salary and contractual benefits

Where the promotion results in a change to salary or contractual benefits, the revised amount or entitlement should be clearly stated. The written information should make clear when the revised pay or benefit will take effect and, where relevant, how frequently it will be paid. https://www.acas.org.uk/what-must-be-written-in-an-employment-contract/what-the-written-statement-must-include https://www.gov.uk/employment-contracts-and-conditions/written-statement-of-employment-particulars

Internal recruitment and equality

Where promotions are made through an internal recruitment or selection process, employers should apply their process fairly and consistently. Promotion decisions must comply with equality law and should not discriminate because of a protected characteristic. Employers should also consider reasonable adjustments where required during an internal selection process. https://www.gov.uk/employer-preventing-discrimination/recruitment https://www.acas.org.uk/recruitment

Job duties and role changes

If the promotion involves significant changes to duties or responsibilities, the employee should be given sufficient information about the new role. A revised job description can be issued alongside the promotion letter where appropriate. Changes to the employee's role should be consistent with the contractual arrangements and any applicable company policies or procedures. https://www.acas.org.uk/changing-an-employment-contract

Updating employment records

Employers should update relevant HR and payroll records following a promotion and ensure that the employee's written employment information accurately reflects any changed main terms. Where a change affects information contained in the written statement, the employer must notify the employee in writing within one month. https://www.gov.uk/your-employment-contract-how-it-can-be-changed/making-changes https://www.acas.org.uk/what-must-be-written-in-an-employment-contract/changing-written-terms

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FAQs

Does a promotion need to be confirmed in writing?

A promotion does not necessarily require a completely new employment contract. However, where the promotion changes the employee's main terms of employment, the employer must put the changes in writing within one month. A promotion letter is a practical way of documenting the new arrangements.

Should the promotion letter include the employee's new salary?

Yes, where salary changes as part of the promotion, the new salary and effective date should be clearly stated. Other changed contractual benefits or working arrangements should also be confirmed where relevant.

Does a promotion require the employee to sign a new contract?

Not necessarily. Acas confirms that employees do not have to sign a new contract for agreed changes to take effect. However, it is good practice to ask the employee to check the written changes and raise any questions or concerns, and obtaining written acknowledgement can provide a useful record.

Should a new job description be issued with the promotion letter?

Where the employee's responsibilities have materially changed, issuing a revised job description alongside the promotion letter is good practice. The promotion letter can summarise the key changes while the job description provides more detail about the role.

Can an employee be promoted without a formal internal recruitment process?

There is no general requirement for every promotion to involve a formal competitive process. However, employers should follow any applicable internal recruitment or promotion policies and ensure decisions are made fairly and without unlawful discrimination.

Why use HRDocBox rather than AI?

HRDocBox templates provide a practical starting point based on UK employment requirements, Acas guidance and established HR practice. AI can help adapt wording, but a ready-made HRDocBox letter provides a consistent structure for confirming promotions and documenting changes to employment terms.

How this content is developed and reviewed

The Promotion notification letter template is developed using a practical HR methodology that considers current UK employment legislation, ACAS guidance, CIPD good practice and the real-world HR process it supports. Templates and supporting information are regularly reviewed and updated, with additional reviews triggered by significant changes to legislation, guidance or established HR practice, helping ensure each document remains practical, relevant and suitable for UK employers.

About the author

Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director

Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.

He has extensive practical experience of managing terms and conditions HR processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.

HRDocBox has been creating practical UK HR documents since 2009.

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"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."

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