Draft a director service agreement that matches the role on the ground

A director role often combines senior management responsibilities with company office-holder obligations, and that can change what the contract needs to address. The agreement may need more careful wording around authority, reporting lines, bonus or equity-linked incentives, confidentiality, conflicts, intellectual property and post-termination restrictions. It can also matter whether the individual is only a director in title or is also carrying out day-to-day executive work. The practical working model can be just as important as the contract wording, which is why a standard employee template is not always enough.

A director service agreement will commonly cover appointment terms, duties, remuneration, benefits, bonus or incentive arrangements, confidentiality, intellectual property, outside interests, notice, garden leave, termination and post-termination restrictions. Depending on the role, it may also deal with expenses, authority limits, reporting obligations and interaction with company policies or shareholder documents. The legal position can depend on the documents, the commercial context and the way the relationship actually functions. We draft with those practical points in mind rather than relying on a generic executive contract form.

We usually need details about the role the director will actually perform, whether the position is executive or non-executive in substance, how the person will be paid, and whether incentives, equity or bonus arrangements are involved. It is also helpful to see related documents such as shareholder agreements, confidentiality terms, existing service contracts or internal policies that may interact with the appointment. Those surrounding documents can affect the drafting significantly, especially where authority, restrictions or exit rights need to line up across more than one document.

A template may be a useful reference point for a straightforward arrangement, but it can fall short where the role includes mixed responsibilities, bespoke pay structures, restrictive covenants or overlap with shareholder rights. Problems often arise when the written agreement uses standard wording that does not reflect how the director will actually work in practice. That mismatch can create uncertainty later around status, obligations, incentives or termination. This service Your lawyer will explain the practical position and your options in plain English. because the surrounding facts still matter.

Timing usually depends on how quickly the key role details and supporting documents are available, and whether the arrangement is relatively straightforward or involves layered issues such as incentive plans, multiple appointments or connected shareholder documents. Once we have the information needed, we draft or review the agreement and include one round of amendments to refine the wording. If the matter raises issues outside this service, such as a live dispute or wider restructuring exercise, we will flag that so you can decide whether separate advice is needed.

Working with us is simple. Start by submitting an enquiry through our website using the form at the top of this page or on our Get Started page. A legal project manager will review your enquiry within 1 business day and reach out to understand your needs.

They'll send you a fixed fee quote outlining costs, scope, and timing. If you're happy, you can accept and sign our engagement letter online. Once that's done, we'll connect you with an expert lawyer who will complete your project via email, phone, or video chat, with the timing confirmed in your quote.

If you're not looking for help with a specific matter, explore our platform, which offers free templates, tools to get your business set up, and even a free tier to get started. Whether you need legal support or just want to browse resources, we've got you covered.

At Sprintlaw, our pricing is transparent and designed for startups and small businesses. Many one-off legal services, including document drafting and reviews, are provided for a fixed fee with an upfront quote before you proceed.

Prices typically range from £100 to £1,500 depending on the complexity and scope of the work. For ongoing support, Sprintlaw Memberships include options such as legal templates, consultations, a legal helpline and credits for services.

If your project is larger or more complex, we will provide a tailored quote after understanding what you need.

Sprintlaw UK operates fully virtually, with the team working online across the UK to provide support to startups and small businesses nationwide. Many of our team are based in London and often meet at co-working offices, but our operations remain fully digital, ensuring flexibility and efficiency for both our clients and team.