How to announce a promotion (with examples)

Announcing a promotion is more than just sharing good news‌ — ‌it’s an opportunity to boost morale, reinforce company culture, and celebrate employee growth. A well-crafted promotion announcement ensures transparency, inspires others, and strengthens your employer brand.

But how do you make the announcement? Should it be an email, a post, or a shoutout in an all-hands meeting? In this article, we’ll cover the best ways to announce a promotion, complete with real-world examples and templates you can use.

Why announcing promotions matters 

Promotions are a big deal. Whether you’re a startup or a big organization, properly announcing an internal promotion benefits both the employee and the company.

Here’s why announcing promotions matter for any employer: 

• Boosts morale: Publicly recognizing employees’ hard work increases motivation and engagement.

• Reinforces company culture: Shows that career growth is a priority.

• Enhances employer branding: External announcements attract top talent by showcasing internal mobility.

• Ensures transparency: Helps teams understand organizational changes and leadership decisions.

By announcing promotions the right way, you create a ripple effect‌ — ‌one that keeps employees motivated and engaged while strengthening your company’s reputation.

Choosing the right way to announce a promotion

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to promotion announcements. The best method depends on your unique company culture. Here are some factors to consider when announcing a promotion:

Internal vs. external announcements

• Internal promotions: Typically shared via email, Slack, meetings, or newsletters.

• Public promotions: Shared on posts, company websites, or press releases (especially for executive roles).

When should you announce a promotion? 

Timing of your announcement is also important. Here's when to announce promotions, and why:

• Announce before the new role takes effect. This allows teams to adjust to new role changes and organizational structure.

• Inform your employee personally first. No one wants to hear about their own promotion from an email before they’re privately informed.

• Consider other company updates. Avoid announcing promotions during major crises or conflicting news, as it may take away the impact of personal achievements.

Best practices for internal promotion announcements 

The goal of an internal promotion announcement is to inform, celebrate, and set expectations. Here’s how to do it right:

Who should make the announcement?

The person making the announcement depends on your unique situation, but there are some good general guidelines:

• Direct manager: A direct manager is the best person to share promotions among teams, and also company-wide. This is because they tend to have the closest relationship to the person getting promoted.

• HR or leadership team: For company-wide promotions, HR professionals or leadership roles are ideal for sharing promotions to the whole company.

• CEO or founder: For executive-level promotions, the CEO or founder of the company is best suited to announce promotions.

Where should you announce it?

Choosing the right communication channel is equally important. Here are the most effective ways to announce promotions:

• Company-wide email: Ideal for significant role changes, especially in larger organizations. Emails ensure that all employees receive consistent information simultaneously, fostering transparency and inclusivity.

• Slack or team messages: These platforms offer quick, direct, and personal communication, making them suitable for immediate team updates or informal announcements.

• All-hands Meetings: Announcing promotions during all-hands meetings adds a personal touch. You also strengthen community by recognizing and celebrating the promoted employee.

• Company newsletter or external posts: External communication channels further supports formal recognition of the promotion. It's an effective way to highlight the employee's achievements and new role within the company's history.

How to write a promotion announcement (with examples and templates)

A great promotion announcement is clear, engaging, and appreciative. Here’s what to include:

• Employee’s name, new title, and department

• Why they earned the promotion (achievements, impact, skills)

• Effective date of promotion. Don't forget to clarify new organizational structure.

• Appreciation and personal congratulations

Example 1: Formal email announcement (company-wide)

Subject: Exciting promotion announcement – [employee's name]

Hi team,

I’m thrilled to share that [employee’s name] has been promoted to [new Title] in the [department] team!

Since joining [company name], [employee’s name] has [mention major achievements, contributions, or leadership qualities]. Their dedication, expertise, and impact have been invaluable, and we’re excited to see them take on this new role.

[Employee’s name]’s promotion is effective [date]. For any inquiries on previous projects led by [employee’s name], please contact [your name].

Join us in congratulating [employee’s name] on this well-deserved achievement!

Best,

[Your name]

Global HR —

3 min

Employee promotion email templates: How to announce promotions that boost morale

Learn best practices for writing an impactful promotion email, from choosing an engaging subject line to highlighting key accomplishments and ending with a call to action. Use Remote's email templates for announcing employee promotions in a clear, engaging, and motivating way.

Example 2: Casual Slack or team message

Big news! Congratulations to [employee’s name] on their well-deserved promotion to [new title]!

[Employee’s name] has been a key part of the [department] team, leading [mention projects or achievements]. We’re excited to see them take on new challenges in this role. For any inquiries on the role change, please contact [your name]. Meanwhile, please drop a line in this chat to celebrate [employee’s name]!

Example 3: Speech for an all-hands meeting

I’m excited to highlight a significant milestone in our team. Today, we’re announcing the promotion of [employee’s name] to [new title]!

Since joining, [employee’s name] has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication. Their contributions to [specific projects] have been instrumental in [impact].

This promotion reflects their hard work, and we’re confident they’ll continue to drive success in their new role. For previous projects led by [employee’s name], please reach out to me.

Join me in congratulating [employee’s name]!

Example 4: External company post

Exciting news! We’re proud to announce that [employee’s name] has been promoted to [new title] at [company name]!

Since joining us in [year], [employee’s name] has made a significant impact in [department], leading [mention key achievements].

We can’t wait to see the amazing things they’ll accomplish in this new role. Join us in congratulating [employee’s name]!

#PromotionAnnouncement #CareerGrowth

Common mistakes to avoid in promotion announcements 

Nothing should prevent excitement and appreciation that come along with promotion announcements — especially simple mistakes. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when you make promotion announcements:

• Forgetting to inform the promoted employee first – Nothing is worse than hearing about your promotion from an email before someone congratulates you personally.

• Making the announcement too generic – Employees deserve personalized recognition. Make sure you highlights their specific contributions and achievements.

• Not considering team dynamics – Ensure the announcement is inclusive and positive for all team members. Promotions can sometimes cause tension among colleagues, so make sure the reasons for advancement are clear. Concise and genuine messages support team collaboration and reinforces company values.

Manage promotions and employee growth the right way

Announcing promotions the right way boosts morale, strengthens company culture, and enhances your employer brand. Whether through emails, Slack, or meetings, your announcement should be clear, celebratory, and informative.

Promotions don’t just happen‌ — ‌they require careful planning, evaluation, feedback, and documentation. A global HR partner like Remote helps you manage your entire employee lifecycle, including promotions. With Remote HRIS, you can:

• Manage employee profiles including promotions, contract history, and timeline

• Document templates and contracts using smart fields to reflect promotions

• Map roles for accurate reporting lines and workforce planning after promotions

To start simplifying your global HR, create your account with Remote HRIS today.