Individual Contributor vs. People Leader

When classifying an exempt position, there are two career structures available – Individual Contributor and People Leader. These career structures overlap in level of complexity and decision making to allow recognition for career progression and growth with a given set of skills. The purpose of having these two structures is to clearly articulate the primary purpose and skills required to successfully complete the responsibilities of a given position.

Appropriate classification is a key pillar in the foundation of effective Human Resources practices. Role descriptors and career structures provide a foundation for pay decisions, development opportunities, expectation setting, and more. The below chart provides helpful insight into appropriately classifying a position into the right career structure:

Career structures	Individual Contributor	People Leader
Primary Purpose	To complete tasks and projects, often within a specific area of expertise. Focused on making informed decisions related to their specific tasks and projects.	To guide, support, and manage a team. Concentrated on making decisions that benefit the team as a whole, allocate resources effectively, and align the team's efforts with organizational goals
Reporting Structure	May lead small projects or initiatives within their domain of expertise, but do not have formal supervisory responsibilities of more than two staff employees.	Leads a team (typically 3+) of staff employees, providing guidance, feedback, and support to their team members.
Expertise	Specialized knowledge, skills, and expertise in their specific areas, contributing high-quality work and innovative solutions.	Specialized knowledge and skills in leadership, team management, and creating an environment that fosters collaboration and productivity.