An employee should be classified as Senior Management based on their decision-making power, regardless of formal title, reporting line, or hierarchical level. The key criterion is whether their actions can execute business on the company’s behalf (e.g., signing contracts, committing resources).
The term Senior Management refers typically to the highest-ranking executives and decision-makers within an organization, including but not limited to C-level executives (e.g., CEO, CFO, CTO), their direct reports (e.g., Vice Presidents, Department Heads), as well all other leaders entrusted with significant strategic, operational, or governance responsibilities. These individuals hold authority to shape company policies, set long-term goals, and act as formal representatives in internal and external matters.
For example, a Head of Compliance who is reporting to the Head of Legal who is reporting to the VP HR, direct report line to the CFO will still qualify as Senior Management, if they autonomously negotiate agreements or make binding decisions.