Are you officially an Individual Contributor but actually managing a team?

I’m a Senior Strategist, but I have three junior team members who dotted-line report to me. I do their 1-on-1s, fix their work, and guide their careers, but HR says I don't qualify for the "Manager" pay band because they aren't my official direct reports. Who else is doing the emotional labor of management for free?

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That’s rough. Why do the juniors not have an official manager then? I’d be asking a lot of questions because that would burn me up, honestly. I can appreciate being in an interim role, but that should be well communicated before taking it on.

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You’re right. It wasn’t always like that. There was a manager but they resigned and as the most senior, I’m unofficially taking over the responsibilities

Do you have a manager? If so, does he manage other seniors?

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Sounds like an opportunity for you! I recommend having a career path conversation to who ever you roll up to. Talk them about wanted official direction reports, show the work that you’re already as evidence you’re already performing at the level.

HR can’t make that decision, someone in you org can. And hopefully will! Keep up the great work!

"Dotted-line" is corporate for "management responsibilities without management pay." And it's extremely common.
Here's the math HR doesn't want you to do: Manager pay bands typically run $15-25k higher than Senior IC roles at agencies. If you're running 1-on-1s, editing their work, and developing their careers — you are a manager. The org chart just hasn't caught up to your actual job description.
The ask isn't a title change — it's a scope conversation. Document every management task, estimate the hours weekly, and present it as a formal role expansion. Ask specifically what criteria would qualify you for the Manager band, and get it in writing. Vague answers mean the goalposts will keep moving.
Companies love the IC-who-manages setup because it's cheaper. Don't let them have it for free indefinitely.
Has anyone on your team officially credited you in their performance reviews? That paper trail matters.

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