[YOUR FULL NAME] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address] [Your City, State] [Your LinkedIn Profile URL] [Current Date] [Board Member/Executive's Name] [Their Job Title] [Company Name] [Company Street Address] [City, State ZIP Code] Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name or "Members of the Board"], [OPENING PARAGRAPH - 2-3 sentences] State the executive position and immediately establish credibility with high-level achievement. Show strategic vision. Example: "I'm writing to express interest in the Chief Operating Officer position at [Company Name]. As an executive leader with 15+ years driving operational excellence across $500M+ organizations, I've consistently delivered double-digit growth while transforming underperforming divisions into profit centers. My track record includes leading a company through successful IPO, scaling operations from 300 to 1,200 employees, and delivering 35% EBITDA improvement." [BODY PARAGRAPH 1 - 4-5 sentences] Highlight major strategic achievements with enterprise-wide impact. Focus on P&L responsibility, revenue growth, and business transformation. Example: "Your search emphasizes operational leadership that drives profitable growth and organizational scalability. In my current role as VP of Operations at [Current Company], I oversee $450M P&L across 5 business units and 800+ employees in 12 locations. I've led operational transformation initiatives that reduced costs by $50M annually while improving service delivery metrics by 40%. Under my leadership, the division grew revenue from $300M to $450M in 3 years while expanding EBITDA margins from 12% to 18%." [BODY PARAGRAPH 2 - 4-5 sentences] Demonstrate additional executive competencies: M&A, digital transformation, change management, or market expansion. Example: "Beyond operational excellence, I bring proven M&A integration expertise. I've led the acquisition and integration of 4 companies totaling $180M in transaction value, achieving targeted synergies within 18 months in each case. I championed a $35M digital transformation roadmap that modernized legacy systems, improved customer experience scores by 45%, and positioned the company for sustainable competitive advantage." [BODY PARAGRAPH 3 - 3-4 sentences] Show leadership philosophy, culture-building capabilities, and board-level communication skills. Example: "Building high-performing teams drives sustainable results. I've developed executive leadership teams, implemented succession planning that filled 85% of senior roles internally, and transformed company culture resulting in 50% improvement in employee engagement scores. My experience presenting to boards and managing investor relations ensures I can effectively communicate strategy and results to all stakeholders." [CLOSING PARAGRAPH - 2-3 sentences] Express confidence, request meeting, and provide availability. Example: "I'm confident my operational leadership and proven track record of driving profitable growth would bring immediate value to [Company Name]. I'd welcome discussing how my experience aligns with your strategic objectives. Thank you for your consideration." Sincerely, [Your Full Name] --- EXECUTIVE COVER LETTER SPECIFIC TIPS: --- • Open with high-impact achievement that demonstrates scale and results • Use C-suite language: spearhead, orchestrate, champion, transform, architect • Emphasize strategic thinking and enterprise-wide impact • Include P&L size, headcount, geographic scope, and budget authority • Quantify business results: revenue growth, margin improvement, cost reduction • Show board-level communication and stakeholder management • Highlight M&A experience, digital transformation, or market expansion • Demonstrate leadership philosophy and culture-building capabilities • Reference company's strategic challenges or opportunities you've researched • Keep tone confident but not arrogant • Focus on "how" you lead, not just "what" you've accomplished • Address company's board or executive search firm if applicable • Two pages acceptable for executive roles (unlike standard cover letters) --- EXECUTIVE ACHIEVEMENT EXAMPLES: --- Financial Performance: • "Grew revenue from $X to $Y over Z years" • "Improved EBITDA margins from X% to Y%" • "Reduced operational costs by $XM while maintaining quality" • "Delivered X% revenue CAGR over Y-year period" Scale and Scope: • "Led organization of X employees across Y locations/countries" • "Managed $XM P&L across Y business units" • "Oversaw $XM capital budget and strategic investments" • "Scaled operations from X to Y employees during growth phase" Strategic Initiatives: • "Led company through successful IPO/acquisition/merger" • "Championed $XM digital transformation initiative" • "Spearheaded expansion into X new markets generating $YM revenue" • "Orchestrated turnaround reducing losses by $XM in Y months" Leadership Impact: • "Built executive team of X members across Y functions" • "Transformed culture resulting in X% improvement in engagement" • "Developed succession plan filling X% of roles internally" --- FORMATTING INSTRUCTIONS: --- Font: Use professional serif fonts like Times New Roman or Garamond Font Size: 11-12 point Margins: 0.75-1 inch on all sides Spacing: Single-space within paragraphs, blank line between paragraphs Alignment: Left-aligned throughout Length: One to two pages acceptable for executive roles Tone: Confident, strategic, results-oriented --- CUSTOMIZATION CHECKLIST: --- □ Research company's strategic challenges and opportunities □ Identify board members or executive search firm contact □ Quantify ALL achievements with specific financial metrics □ Emphasize scale and scope (P&L size, headcount, geography) □ Include strategic initiatives (M&A, transformation, expansion) □ Demonstrate board-level communication capabilities □ Show leadership philosophy and culture-building results □ Reference company's recent news, challenges, or strategic direction □ Use executive-level language throughout □ Keep confident tone without arrogance □ Remove all instructional text in brackets □ Have senior colleague review before sending □ Consider sending to executive search firm as well as company --- INDUSTRIES WHERE THIS TEMPLATE WORKS: --- • Technology and SaaS companies • Manufacturing and industrial operations • Healthcare and hospital systems • Financial services and banking • Retail and consumer goods • Professional services • Distribution and logistics • Any industry seeking COO, CFO, CRO, GM, VP roles