Coaching contract template

This guide covers everything you need to know about coaching contracts and how to manage them efficiently.

What is a coaching contract?

A coaching contract is a formal agreement between a coach and a client that outlines the specifics of the coaching relationship. It details the services provided, the duration of the coaching engagement, fees, confidentiality clauses and other relevant terms. This contract sets the foundation for a professional and effective coaching relationship, ensuring both parties are aligned on their roles and expectations.

What is the purpose of a coaching contract?

The primary purpose of a coaching contract is to establish a clear and mutual understanding between the coach and the client:

• Clarity and alignment – it ensures both parties understand the scope of the coaching engagement, including goals, methodologies and expected outcomes.
• Legal protection – it provides legal protection by outlining the terms and conditions, including confidentiality, payment terms and termination clauses.
• Accountability – it holds both the coach and the client accountable for their responsibilities, fostering a committed and productive coaching relationship.
• Professionalism – it enhances the professionalism of the coaching practice by demonstrating a structured and formal approach to client engagements.

Who manages coaching contracts?

Managing coaching contracts typically involves several stakeholders, depending on the size and structure of the coaching business. 

In many cases, individual coaches manage their own contracts, especially in small coaching practices. In larger coaching organisations, the legal team may oversee the creation, review, and approval of coaching contracts to ensure compliance with legal standards and regulations.

For coaching services provided within an organisation, the HR team may manage coaching contracts, particularly for employee coaching programs. Operations or administrative teams may handle the logistics of contract management, including tracking contract statuses and storing signed agreements.

When are coaching contracts used?

Coaching contracts are used in various professional and personal development contexts to formalize the relationship between a coach and a client. Here are some common scenarios:

Executive coaching

Employed by businesses to develop leadership skills, enhance performance, and support career growth of executives and senior managers.

Business coaching

Used by entrepreneurs and business owners to improve business strategies, increase profitability and achieve specific business goals.

Life coaching

Applied by individuals seeking guidance on personal development, goal setting and overcoming personal challenges.

Career coaching

Engaged by professionals looking to advance their careers, transition to new roles or improve job satisfaction.

Health and wellness coaching

Used by clients aiming to improve their health, fitness and overall well-being through structured guidance and support.

Team coaching

Employed by organizations to improve team dynamics, communication and performance.

Sports coaching

Used by athletes to enhance their performance, develop skills and achieve competitive goals.

What should a coaching contract template include?

A comprehensive coaching contract template should cover several essential elements to ensure clarity and legal protection. Here are the key components to include:

Introduction. Names of the coach and the client, and the purpose of the coaching relationship.

Scope of services. Detailed description of the coaching services provided, and specific goals and objectives of the coaching engagement.

Duration and schedule. Effective date and end date of the coaching relationship, frequency and duration of coaching sessions, and schedule of sessions (dates and times).

Fees and payment terms. Total cost of the coaching services, payment schedule (e.g. upfront, monthly, per session), and accepted payment methods.

Confidentiality. Assurance of confidentiality for all information shared during coaching sessions, and any exceptions to confidentiality (e.g. legal obligations).

Cancellation and rescheduling policy. Terms for cancelling or rescheduling sessions, notice period required for cancellations or changes, and any applicable fees for late cancellations or no-shows.

Responsibilities of the coach and client. Expectations for both parties’ behaviour and commitment, and any materials or actions required from the client.

Termination clause. Conditions under which the contract can be terminated by either party, and notice period for termination.

Dispute resolution. Process for resolving any disputes that may arise, and governing law and jurisdiction.

Signatures. Signature lines for both the coach and the client, and date of signing.

The manual approach to managing coaching contract templates

Managing coaching contract templates manually involves several steps to ensure that the contracts are properly drafted, customized and maintained. This process, while straightforward, can be time-consuming and prone to errors if not handled meticulously. Here is a detailed explanation of the manual process:

1. Template creation

• Drafting: Initially, a standard contract template is drafted. This template includes all the necessary sections such as scope of services, duration, fees, confidentiality and termination clauses.
• Review and approval: The drafted template is reviewed for accuracy, legal compliance and completeness. This may involve consulting with legal professionals to ensure that all necessary legal aspects are covered.

2. Customization

• Client details: For each new coaching relationship, the template is customized with the specific details of the client, including names, dates and specific goals or services.
• Tailoring terms: Depending on the nature of the coaching engagement, certain terms and conditions may be adjusted. For example, the frequency of sessions or specific payment terms may vary from one client to another.

3. Client review and negotiation

• Presentation: The customized contract is presented to the client for review. This can be done via email or in a face-to-face meeting.
• Negotiation: Any questions or concerns from the client are addressed. This may involve negotiating certain terms to reach a mutually agreeable contract.

4. Finalization and signing

• Final edits: Based on the negotiation, final edits are made to the contract.
• Signature: The final version of the contract is printed, and both the coach and the client sign it. This is usually done in person, though electronic signatures can also be used if both parties agree.

5. Distribution and storage

• Copies: Copies of the signed contract are made. One copy is given to the client, and another is retained by the coach.
• Filing: The coach files their copy of the contract in a secure location. This could be a physical filing system or a digital storage solution such as a computer or cloud storage (e.g. Google Drive, Box, OneDrive, DropBox).

6. Monitoring and updates

• Tracking: The coach tracks important dates and milestones related to the contract, such as session dates and renewal deadlines.
• Amendments: If any changes are needed during the course of the coaching relationship, amendments to the contract are drafted, reviewed and signed by both parties.

Managing coaching contract templates manually requires attention to detail and good organizational skills. It involves multiple steps from creation to finalization, ensuring that each contract is tailored to the specific needs of the client while protecting the interests of both parties.

Automate coaching contracts with Juro

Juro is an AI-native contract management tool that can significantly streamline and enhance the manual process of managing coaching contract templates. Here’s how Juro can improve each step of the process:

Template creation

Automated drafting. Juro's AI can assist in drafting standardized contract templates by using pre-approved clauses and legal language, reducing the need for initial manual drafting.

Centralized template library. Store all templates in a centralized, easily accessible library within Juro, ensuring that coaches always use the most up-to-date versions.

Customization

Dynamic templates. Juro's platform allows for dynamic templates that can be automatically customized with client-specific details through simple input fields, saving time and reducing errors.

Conditional logic. Implement conditional logic to tailor terms and conditions based on specific client needs, making customization quicker and more accurate.

Client review and negotiation

Collaborative workspace. Juro provides a collaborative online workspace where clients can review the contract, leave comments, and negotiate terms in real-time, all within the same platform.

Version control. Track changes and maintain version control to ensure transparency and a clear audit trail throughout the negotiation process.

Finalization and signing

Electronic signatures. Juro supports eSigning, allowing contracts to be signed digitally, eliminating the need for in-person meetings and paper-based processes.

Automated reminders. Set up automated contract reminders for both parties to sign the contract, ensuring timely completion.

‍

Distribution and storage

Secure cloud storage. Store all signed contracts securely in Juro’s cloud-based repository, making them easily accessible from anywhere.

Searchable archive. Use Juro’s advanced search functionality (OCR) to quickly locate and access contracts based on various criteria, such as client name or contract date.

Monitoring and updates

Automated tracking. Juro can automatically track important dates and milestones, such as renewal deadlines and session dates, sending reminders to relevant parties.

Easy amendments. Make amendments directly within the platform, with automatic versioning and tracking of changes. Clients can review and approve amendments in the same collaborative workspace.

By leveraging Juro's AI-native capabilities, coaching businesses can significantly reduce the time and effort involved in managing contracts. The platform's integrated features ensure that all aspects of the contract lifecycle, from creation to storage and monitoring, are handled efficiently and securely. This not only improves productivity but also enhances the client experience by providing a seamless and professional contract management process.

Juro's AI-native contract automation platform empowers all teams to create, agree, execute and manage contracts up to 10x faster than traditional tools. To find out more, hit the button below to book your personalized demo.