About this template
The C-Suite template is a professional cover letter in Cormorant with a wide ivory header, navy rule and tightly tracked small caps spelling the role title above the name. Long-form serif body — the visual register of a chairman's letter to shareholders. Compatible with ATS at listed companies and search firms (Workday at S&P 500/FTSE 100 firms; direct portals at Egon Zehnder, Spencer Stuart, Russell Reynolds, Heidrick & Struggles, Korn Ferry).
Who is it for?
It suits C-suite leaders — CEO, COO, CIO, CHRO — and group VPs with multi-country mandates. Letters that will be opened by chairmen, headhunter partners and remuneration committees, where every word is read with attention to tone and weight. Covers C-suite-to-C-suite moves, subsidiary-CEO-to-group-CEO transitions and independent chair applications.
How to use it
The small caps with the role title ("CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER") above the name set the annual-report register. The serif body in 11.5 pt with 1.4 line spacing calibrates calm reading. For a listed-group CEO application, mention the composition of boards traversed (proportion of independents, chair-CEO separation or combination), principal shareholders (family, PE majority, free float), and transformations led (digital, divestment of non-core, refocusing on core business). Cite board experience (number of AGMs held, shareholder crisis management, investor day cadence).
Frequently asked questions
Should I attach a teaser to the search firm?
For confidential searches (CEO of an S&P 500 company), yes: a 2-3 slide teaser as a complement to the CV. The teaser positions track record, quantified impact and strategic posture. For direct applications via the corporate or Workday portal, the CV + letter suffice. Egon Zehnder and Spencer Stuart partners expect a teaser; Korn Ferry less so.
How do I phrase a confidential application?
Mention in a postscript the confidentiality of the process ("current mandate not yet vacated, request for discretion in initial exchanges"). The search partner will handle this — it is routine. For a direct approach to a chairman, prefer the network route (common director, banker) rather than a cold submission.
Is it suitable for an independent chair application?
Prefer letter-prof-board-room which carries the pure governance register. The C-Suite template signals an executive profile applying for a C-level role, which may not align with a non-executive chair appointment. The Board Room model is more aligned with the remuneration committee's reading lens.
