# Section 16 Officer > Section 16 Officer means any person, including main board members and executive sub-leaders, who fulfills a policy-making role for [organization] **Term:** Section 16 Officer **Last updated:** 2026-07-29 ## Definition ## What Section 16 Officer Means in a Contract Within a contract or corporate policy, a Section 16 Officer refers to any individual who holds real influence over the strategic or policy direction of an organization, regardless of their formal job title. This includes main board directors but also extends to executive sub-leaders who, in practice, shape decisions that bind the company. The label is functional rather than purely titular, meaning that someone without a director designation could still qualify if they participate meaningfully in setting policy. Contracts use this concept to identify a class of people whose actions, representations, or signatures carry heightened authority or accountability. When an agreement refers to a Section 16 Officer, it is usually trying to capture decision-makers whose conduct should trigger specific obligations, such as certification requirements, conflict-of-interest disclosures, or restrictions tied to