Jump to Section
What is a Director Employment Agreement?
A director employment agreement is a contract between a director and a company that outlines the rules and responsibilties surrounding a director's employment. The director employment agreement also includes key details regarding compensation, benefits, and any applicable conditions to the agreement. A few other important parts of the agreement include indemnification, exceptions, liabilities, and severability.
The director employment agreement intends to hold responsible both parties to the contract for their individual duties and obligations. If either party breeches the contract, the document serves as vital proof in litigation to ensure the wronged party is properly compensated.
Common Sections in Director Employment Agreements
Below is a list of common sections included in Director Employment Agreements. These sections are linked to the below sample agreement for you to explore.
Director Employment Agreement Sample
(Geschäftsführerdienstvertrag)
(this “Agreement”)
Im Stockmaedle 1
76303 Karlsbad
Germany
Adalbertstr. 98
80799 München
Germany
Position and Scope of Duties
1.1 | Harman Management GmbH (the “Company”) shall employ the Executive as a joint managing director (Geschäftsführer) with sole signing authority. For purposes of this Agreement, the term “Automotive Group” shall refer to all the world-wide operations of the Automotive OEM and Harman/Becker aftermarket Business of HII. | |
The Executive’s title shall be “Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Harman Automotive Group of Harman International”. The Executive shall have full P&L responsibility for the world-wide operations of the Automotive Group including sales, engineering, manufacturing, finance, administration, human resources and IT. | ||
1.2 | The Executive shall perform his duties by observing the diligence of a prudent businessman and in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Company’s Articles of Association (Gesellschaftsvertrag), and as directed by the shareholder(s) (Gesellschafter) (the “Shareholders”), and in accordance with applicable law. | |
1.3 | The Executive shall report to the CEO and to the Executive Chairman of HII. The responsibility of the Executive (subject to the limitations contained herein, in the Articles of Association and Management By-Laws of the Company or otherwise under applicable law) shall include, without limitation, the following: |
(a) | the preparation and submission to the Shareholders of the annual budgets and strategic plans of the Automotive Group; | ||
(b) | the management of the Automotive Group in accordance with budgets and strategic plans approved by the Shareholders and in accordance with this Agreement and the Company’s Articles of Association and Management By-Laws; |
(c) | advising the Shareholders of the material activities and operations of the Automotive Group on an on-going basis; | ||
(d) | hiring and firing management personnel and overseeing the hiring of such other salaried and hourly rated employees as may be required for the proper and efficient conduct of the business of the Automotive Group within the scope of the Executive’s authority; | ||
(e) | the making of commitments on behalf of the Automotive Group other than those commitments requiring the approval of the Shareholders as provided by law, the Company’s Articles of Association, any Management By-Laws or this Agreement; and | ||
(f) | seeking the approval of the Shareholders in respect of any matter involving or affecting the Automotive Group or their business which is out of the ordinary and usual course of business of the Automotive Group. |
1.4 | The Executive shall devote his full working time and ability to the Automotive Group’s business. The Executive shall not engage in any other activity for remuneration or any other activity that normally would give entitlement to remuneration, including any part-time work, without the prior written consent of the Shareholders in each instance. The Executive shall not serve on the supervisory board, advisory board (Beirat) or similar corporate function of another company without the prior written consent of the Shareholders. | |
1.5 | Significant amendments to the Executive’s areas of responsibility shall require prior consent of the Executive, if and to the extent such changes result from changes to the scope of the automotive activities of HII due to a reorganization, acquisition or sale of operational units. Consent will not be withheld by the Executive for unreasonable reasons. | |
1.6 | Notwithstanding the internal authority of the Executive as determined by the Shareholders, the Executive shall, with respect to the exercise of his statutory representation authority, be required to seek the approval of the Shareholders for the following activities (and any other activities for which the Shareholders require their approval through the adoption of Management By-Laws and/or Articles of Association either as now or later adopted): |
(a) | The acquisition, sale, lease or encumbrance of real property; | ||
(b) | The conclusion or termination of rental or lease agreements with total payment obligations of more than €100,000; | ||
(c) | The establishment or termination of branches, subsidiaries or joint ventures; | ||
(d) | The acquisition or disposition of securities and participations in other enterprises in whatever form; | ||
(e) | The appointment and termination of management employees and the granting and recall of Prokuras and commercial powers of attorney (Handlungsvollmachten); | ||
(f) | The taking on, granting or repayment of loans; | ||
(g) | The granting of security interests; |
- 2 -
(h) | All transactions which could threaten the liquidity of the Company or any other company of the Automotive Group; | ||
(i) | Investments which in the single case are greater than €500,000; | ||
(j) | Approval of the overall business plan and related budget for any fiscal year; | ||
(k) | The incurring of any capital expenditures exceeding, in the aggregate, the capital expenditures budgeted in the approved budget in any fiscal year by more than €500,000; | ||
(l) | The increasing of salaries of any employee by more than 6% of the salary for such employee budgeted in the approved budget for such fiscal year; | ||
(m) | Increasing borrowings of the Company or any other company of the Automotive Group at any one time; and | ||
(n) | The payment of any bonus or similar benefit other than as budgeted in the approved budget. |
Termination, Notice and Severance
2.1 | The Executive and the Company desire this Agreement to commence as soon as possible and agree that this Agreement shall commence with effect as of January 1, 2007 or an earlier date (the “Commencement Date”) should the Executive’s employment with his current employer be terminated before December 31, 2006; provided, however, that the Commencement Date may be extended beyond January 1, 2007 as long as necessary, but in no event later than April 1, 2007. In case of an earlier or later commencement, all dates provided for in this Agreement shall be adjusted accordingly. This Agreement may be terminated by either party without giving any reason therefor upon at least six months’ prior written notice to the other party; provided, however, that any termination under this section shall be effective no earlier than December 31, 2011. Notice by either party must be in writing, must be delivered to the Shareholder(s) or the Executive and shall be effective upon delivery. An extraordinary termination pursuant to Section 626 BGB is not affected by these rules. | |
2.2 | At any time during the term of this Agreement, the Shareholder(s) are entitled to relieve the Executive from his obligation to work. In such a case, the Executive shall not engage in any activity during the term of this Agreement for which he is, will be, or would normally be entitled to remuneration without the prior written consent of the Shareholder(s), which consent may be withheld for any reason. | |
2.3 | In the event of relief of the Executive from his obligation to work, the Executive shall continue to be entitled during the term of this Agreement to the Salary (as hereinafter defined) and benefits (except that the Executive shall not be entitled to any bonus or pro |
- 3 -
rata bonus payments pursuant to Section 4.3). The amount of payment to which the Executive is entitled hereunder shall be reduced by the amount of any compensation earned by the Executive in connection with services performed. |
Secrecy/Business Records
3.1 | The Executive shall not disclose to any third party, or use for his personal gain, any confidential, technical or other business information entrusted to him, or which has otherwise become known to him and which relates to the Automotive Group, the Company or to any of its affiliates as defined in accordance with Section 15 of the German Stock Corporation Act (“Affiliates”). In particular, the Executive shall not disclose any confidential or proprietary information concerning the organization of the business, relations with customers and suppliers or technical know-how, design or intellectual property, trade secrets, or any other marketing, commercial or technical information considered confidential or proprietary by the Automotive Group. This obligation shall not expire upon termination of Executive’s employment but shall remain in force. | |
3.2 | The Executive shall use business records of any kind, including private notes, concerning the Automotive Group’s or the Company’s affairs and activities, only for business purposes. The Executive shall not make copies or extracts or duplicates of drawings, calculations, statistics, and the like, nor of any other business records, for purposes other than for the Automotive Group’s business. | |
3.3 | Upon termination of his employment (or upon request of the Shareholder(s) upon or after the giving of notice of termination), the Executive shall return to the Company of his own accord all business records and copies thereof which are in his possession. The Executive shall have no right of retention as to any such records or copies. The Executive shall also at such time return to the Company all keys, goods and other equipment in his possession which are the property of the Company or any of its Affiliates or to which the Company or any of its Affiliates has the right of possession. |
Salary, Allowable Expenses and Other Benefits
4.1 | Commencing January 1, 2007 the Executive shall receive an annual gross salary (the “Salary”) of €650,000 (in words: six hundred and fifty thousand Euros). The Salary will be reviewed annually in the third quarter of each calendar year and will not be decreased. The Salary shall be payable in twelve equal monthly installments to be paid at the end of each month, all after deduction of the amounts to be withheld in accordance with law. The Salary entitlement may not be assigned or pledged by the Executive. The Salary includes payment for any work performed by the Executive for the Automotive Group outside of normal working hours. | |
4.2 | Travel expenses and other necessary and adequate expenses incurred by the Executive in the furtherance of the Automotive Group’s business shall be reimbursed against proof to the extent they are reasonable and in accordance with rules applicable in Germany for tax purposes and with the then effective policy of the Company. The Executive is entitled to international first class travel. | |
4.3 | In addition to his Salary, the Executive may be entitled to an annual bonus based on performance parameters as decided in consultation between the Company and the Executive |
- 4 -
each year and on a target of 70% of his Salary in accordance with HII’s Management Incentive Compensation (“MIC”) plan. The annual bonus can be up to 50% higher if the Automotive Group achieves superior results. The annual bonus shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the MIC plan and parameters for the Automotive Group attached as Exhibit 1 hereto. For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, the annual bonus shall be guaranteed at the target level of 70%, prorated for the period of employment (i.e., a minimum of EUR 455,000 prorated for the period of employment). It is understood and agreed by the parties that any bonus payments by the Company shall be voluntary one-time remunerations and will not result in any future obligations by the Company or any of its Affiliates. |
4.4 | Within thirty (30) days of the Commencement Date, the Executive will receive a one-time grant under HII’s Stock Option and Incentive Plan (the “2002 Plan”) of options to purchase a total of 50,000 shares of its common stock. Subsequent grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of HII’s board of directors, and all grants will be solely governed by the terms of the option 2002 Plan or such other plan or program under which they are granted. | |
4.5 | Within thirty (30) days after the third anniversary of the Commencement Date, and provided that the Executive is then employed by the Company, the Executive will be granted 25,000 shares of HII common stock under the 2002 Plan, which shares shall be non-forfeitable and non-restricted on the date of grant. The Company believes Mr. Schinagel will have no adverse tax consequence during the three year period prior to the grant. However, if any taxes are owed, the parties will find a mutually-acceptable solution. | |
4.6 | The Executive shall be entitled to a retirement benefit that is immediate and non-forfeitable, to be calculated and paid as follows: |
(i) | the Executive has reached the age of sixty (60), and | ||
(ii) | the Executive is not employed by the Company or any of its Affiliates. |
- 5 -
4.7 | The Company shall provide to the Executive a company car equivalent to or equal to a BMW 7 Series. The Company shall bear those car expenses (e.g., insurance, car tax, repairs) that are associated with the business use of the company car. The Executive may use the company car for private purposes. The taxes imposed with respect to the private usage shall be borne by the Executive. |
Vacation
Sickness
Inventions
7.1 | Any invention, design, concept, mark, know-how or other intellectual property which arises out of the Executive’s activities for the Company or which is made with respect to the experience, work or business of the Automotive Group (work-related intellectual property or “WIP”) becomes the property of the Company without compensation. | |
7.2 | Inventions, designs, concepts, marks, know-how or other intellectual property which do not represent WIP (free intellectual property or “FIP”) must be reported to the Shareholder(s) in writing immediately. The Shareholder(s), on behalf of the Company, may take an interest in FIP with or without limitations. The Shareholder(s) must report their intention to the Executive within four (4) months of the report of the FIP by the Executive to the Shareholder(s). |
- 6 -
7.3 | In case of restricted acquisition of FIP, the Company shall receive a joint use right based on terms provided by the Company; in the case of total acquisition, all rights in the FIP go to the Companies. The Shareholder(s) and the Executive will agree on compensation according to the provisions of the Law Concerning Inventions Made by Employees and the regulations issued in connection with said law, which law shall apply in any case in case any portion of this Article 7 is unenforceable, but only to the extent of such unenforceability. |
Covenant Not to Compete
8.1 | During the term and until the effective date of termination or expiration of this Agreement: |
(a) | lend money to or engage, participate, assist, invest or have an equity interest, directly or indirectly, whether as partner, owner, consultant, agent or otherwise, in any business or enterprise that is in competition with any business activity of the Automotive Group or is in competition with the sale of any products sold by the Automotive Group as exclusive dealer other than by holding less than 5% of the shares, voting or otherwise, in a publicly-traded company quoted on a recognized stock exchange; | ||
(b) | engage, hire, suggest or assist in or influence the engagement or hiring by any competing business or enterprise of, any salesman, distributor, supplier, employee or officer of the Company or any company of the Automotive Group, or otherwise cause or encourage any person having a business relationship with the Company or any company of the Automotive Group to sever such relationship with, or commit any act inimical to, the Company or any of its Affiliates; | ||
(c) | use or divulge to others the customer or supplier lists of the Company or any of their Affiliates, or, directly or indirectly, whether as a partner, owner, consultant, agent or otherwise, solicit or transact business with any customers or suppliers of the Companies or any company of the Automotive Group; or | ||
(d) | cause or permit any person, legal or otherwise, directly or indirectly under control of the Executive to do any of the foregoing. |
8.2 | During the term and upon termination of this Agreement and for a period of two years thereafter, the Executive shall not solicit or entice any officer, director or employee of the Company or any of its Affiliates to leave their employment with the Company or its respective Affiliate. |
Other Provisions
9.1 | Any amendments or supplements to this Agreement must be in writing signed by both the Executive and the Shareholder(s) in order to be effective including any amendment to this provision. |
- 7 -
9.2 | The English language version of this Agreement shall be controlling in all respects, irrespective of the existence of a translation hereof into the German language. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding of the parties and supersedes and cancels any prior written or oral agreement between the Executive and the Company and its Affiliates or any of them, including, without limitation, any prior employment agreements or arrangements, whether written or oral. | |
9.3 | This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. | |
9.4 | The invalidity of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity of the remainder hereof. Any invalid provision or any omission, if any, in this Agreement shall be replaced by an appropriate provision which best approximates the economic arrangement intended by the parties. | |
9.5 | All disputes arising from this Agreement, the validity of its conclusion and its interpretation, shall be decided by an arbitration court which shall have exclusive jurisdiction over such matters, and which jurisdiction shall exclude the jurisdiction by any court over such matters. Pursuant to Article 1031, para. 5 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a special arbitration agreement is concluded thereon, which is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit 2. |
represented by its shareholder
Harman International Industries, Inc.
By:
|
/s/ Sidney Harman | Date: | June 30, 2006 | |||||
Name: Sidney Harman
|
||||||||
Title: Executive Chairman
|
||||||||
/s/ Helmut Schinagel | ||||||||
Helmut Schinagel | Date: | July 3, 2006 |
- 8 -
- 9 -
represented by its shareholder
Harman International Industries, Inc.
By:
|
/s/ Sidney Harman | Date: | June 30, 2006 | |||||
Name:
|
Sidney Harman | |||||||
Title:
|
Executive Chairman | |||||||
/s/ Helmut Schinagel | ||||||||
Helmut Schinagel | Date: | July 3, 2006 |
- 10 -
Reference:
Security Exchange Commission - Edgar Database, EX-10.1 2 d38899exv10w1.htm EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, Viewed September 15, 2022, View Source on SEC.
Who Helps With Director Employment Agreements?
Lawyers with backgrounds working on director employment agreements work with clients to help. Do you need help with a director employment agreement?
Post a project in ContractsCounsel's marketplace to get free bids from lawyers to draft, review, or negotiate director employment agreements. All lawyers are vetted by our team and peer reviewed by our customers for you to explore before hiring.
Need help with a Director Employment Agreement?
Meet some of our Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
Charlton M.
Charlton Messer helps businesses and their owners with general counsel and contract drafting services. He has helped over 500 businesses with their legal needs across a variety of industries in nearly a decade of practice.
Donya G.
I am a licensed and active NY and CT Contracts Attorney, with over 20 years of diverse legal and business experience. I specialize in reviewing, drafting and negotiating commercial agreements. My practice focuses on working with small business clients as well as clients from international brokerage firms on acquisitions, especially in the Ecommerce space; drafting, negotiating, reviewing and advising on business agreements; ; breach of contract issues, contract disputes and arbitration. I am licensed to practice in New York and Connecticut, and am a FINRA and NCDS Arbitrator. My experience includes serving as General Counsel to small businesses. This entails reviewing, updating and drafting contracts such as employments agreements, asset purchase agreements, master services agreements, operating agreements and a variety of business and commercial contracts. Additionally, I assist clients with business strategies, contract disputes and arbitration. My diverse experience allows me to give my clients a well-rounded approach to the issues they face. I have been at top AML law firms; a Vice President at an Investment Bank, a Civil Court Arbitrator presiding over cases in contract law, commercial law, a Hearing Officer, presiding over cases and rendering written decisions, and a Judicial Clerk to a Civil Court Judge. It would be a privilege to assist you and your business with my services.
Ted A.
Equity Investments, Agreements & Transactions | Securities & Lending | Corporate Governance | Complex Commercial Contracts | Outside General Counsel & Compliance
Igor B.
As a corporate lawyer, I have dealt with international transactions, complex litigation and arbitration, regulatory compliance, and multijurisdictional tax planning. In March 2021, I started my firm and shifted my professional focus to working with start-ups, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and families. I help my clients structure and run their businesses and take care of their assets, including intellectual property issues and estate planning for their families. I try to bring big law quality and small firm personal attention to every client.
April 27, 2022
Aaron B.
I have been in practice for over 19 years. I have substantial experience across the spectrum of civil practice areas both as a litigator and transactional counsel. This includes: negotiating commercial and real estate transactions, corporate organization, commercial agreements, and resolving commercial disputes, and litigating numerous civil, administrative, and criminal cases through all phases of litigation from trial through appeal, as well as judgment enforcement. My vast experience as a litigator is an asset to my transactional clients. My background in Investigating and proving the breakdown of business relationships in court allows me a unique advantage in drafting, negotiating, and closing business transactions.
May 2, 2022
Dan P.
I primarily work with small businesses and the self-employed. I help my clients build sustainable businesses, navigate risk, and resolve conflicts. Most of my cases involve contract review, drafting, negotiation, and disputes; I also work on business entity formation, employment and independent contractor issues, copyright licenses, trademark registration, and more.
May 5, 2022
Cindy A.
Attorney that has worked in both litigation and transactional fields. Motivated and personable professional. Speaks fluent Spanish and very basic Portuguese.
Find the best lawyer for your project
Browse Lawyers NowNeed help with a Director Employment Agreement?
Employment lawyers by top cities
- Austin Employment Lawyers
- Boston Employment Lawyers
- Chicago Employment Lawyers
- Dallas Employment Lawyers
- Denver Employment Lawyers
- Houston Employment Lawyers
- Los Angeles Employment Lawyers
- New York Employment Lawyers
- Phoenix Employment Lawyers
- San Diego Employment Lawyers
- Tampa Employment Lawyers
Director Employment Agreement lawyers by city
- Austin Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
- Boston Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
- Chicago Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
- Dallas Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
- Denver Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
- Houston Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
- Los Angeles Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
- New York Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
- Phoenix Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
- San Diego Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
- Tampa Director Employment Agreement Lawyers
ContractsCounsel User
MGA
Location: California
Turnaround: Less than a week
Service: Contract Review
Doc Type: Executive Employment Contract
Page Count: 3
Number of Bids: 4
Bid Range: $5 - $1,800
ContractsCounsel User
Draft an Executive Employment Agreement for 2 US Employees (Florida and Ohio)
Location: Florida
Turnaround: Over a week
Service: Drafting
Doc Type: Executive Employment Contract
Number of Bids: 7
Bid Range: $550 - $1,500
related contracts
- Bereavement Policy
- BYOD Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Code of Ethics
- Collective Bargaining Agreement
- Compensation Agreement
- Conflict of Interest Policy
- Consulting Agreement
- Contract for Employment
- Contract Services Agreement
other helpful articles
- How much does it cost to draft a contract?
- Do Contract Lawyers Use Templates?
- How do Contract Lawyers charge?
- Business Contract Lawyers: How Can They Help?
- What to look for when hiring a lawyer