To feel like I am being demoted?

I’d consult legal advice like another poster said, 100% apply for the job, make them reject you directly - right now your manager can deny everything, knowing they have ti reject your application formally should make them a little more uncomfortable. The job structure is a fuck off to you, so also apply elsewhere and start now.

Why was the new role created? Have they already said how it would also change your job description or are we just guessing for the time being? Even if I could pay I wouldn't after CEO saying not seeing you in that role.

Could your manager be leaving?

I'm sorry to say it sounds like you're being managed out. As others have said, apply for the role and start thinking about if there's particular training/upskilling you need to boost your CV. Then try and find a new job, ideally before you have to hand over to this new person.

When you’re not considered for a role you think you could do, it’s time to leave.

What is the relationship like between you and your manager? It sounds like they have found a reason to bring another role in so your manager doesn’t have to directly work with / manage you any more, especially as they didn’t feel able to feel your directly not to apply and 3rd party has told you instead.

Do you get on well with your manager? Are you friendly, super professional? Do you take on board their suggestions? Do you get into big discussions about things or argue with them about their suggestions? Do you always do things the same way and have been for years, do you show innovation for example?

Its not right to go about things this way but there must be a reason why are bringing someone else instead of than developing you into the role. Agree with other PPs there will be little point fighting this given recruitment is in progress.

@constantlylactating

Agree with PPs, apply for the role and also look for roles elsewhere. If someone comes in above you before you’re ready/able to move, nurture the relationship. Learn what you can from them etc.

This is pathetic behaviour by your boss and it’s no wonder that you feel upset and demotivated.

But your task here is to approach matters with a cool mind and make this situation work as well as possible for you so you can get the most from it, even though it’s not what you would have chosen.

If the new person can do A and B, then I’d expect a redundancy to be incoming fairly shortly due to a ‘restructure’.
Sorry this has happened, I’ve been in a similar situation and it’s unlikely you’ll ever really be happy there again, and you’ve come to the end of the road with that employer. They sound pretty shit anyway, especially your line manager.

You’re right to update your CV. Good luck with the job hunting.

Op, In your op you say you’re not sure if you will be managing your team then you say you won’t be.

has it been confirmed to you will will lose all supervisory responsibility and move to a sole contributor role? This is really important to clarify.

I'd be looking for something new. The CEO obviously has you pigeon holed and is unwilling to support your development. This is not uncommon. I'd just jump ship.

Your Manager had singularly failed in managing you by outsourcing that discussion to a 3rd party recruiter. I would lose all faith in them.

Yes still apply if you want the job. I assume you are Female - it is well known that women apply for jobs they can do, whilst men apply for jobs that stretch their current skills and develop into them.
And definitely brush up your CV and look around.

I would also be very clear with your Shite Manager that no interview = no option but to look for other opportunities, having been led to believe for 3 years that training and development was to be given to allow you to progress internally.

And if your job is already full on, where is the extra resource for training someone new!!??

Apply anyway.

But also keep in mind that this may just be about a wider business context and not you individually, or about demoting you.

You’ve said that B is an area that there previously hasn’t been the budget to expand efforts in. There may now be a desire to do that, and sometim a to make those plans work you have to take specific approaches organisationally. It might not be the negative that you assume it will be. It absolutely will r if you take the childish petty approaches that some people have been suggesting on this thread.

Applynprofessionally. Continue doing your job well. If you don’t get it, give things a go as it being an opportunity to both A & B to expand their part in the organisation as there’s now doubl the capacity for those at your experience level than thei used to be.

If the new recruit would be taking on your role, what will you do?

have you considered the potential this is constructive dismissal? I'm not saying it is but it does have the hallmarks.

as previously stated, it doesn't seem rational for a senior leader to commit this repudiatory breach of contract (which either breaches the terms and conditions of your employment, or evidences some detriment to the contractual trust and confidence in the employer/employee relationship) unless they have cause to do so. Why try to fix what isn't broken? In other words, if you have glowing references and end of year reports have been exemplary it makes no sense at all.

if you needed to gain expertise in B then why wouldn't they provide that support to gain that expertise. Bringing in a new recruit for what seems like a pivotal leadership role is fraught with risks, not least of all the harm to the presumably strong relationship with a skilled member of staff who is working well and delivering.

the trouble with constructive dismissal is that the risk fall on the employee because you'd have to resign immediately citing CD, otherwise it could be deemed as you accepting the situation. You'd also have to go through the internal grievance process. They could play hardball and say see you in court. That's all at your risk.

undoubtedly they are putting you in the unenviable position of seeing someone come in and take over many of the duties you perform. So you could sit tight and play a waiting game, because if that did happen you could argue you didn't resign because you were waiting to see how the situation evolved. An altogether unbearable situation.

Just goes to show look after your own needs and rights first, be loyal only to yourself nobody else will

Just to point out that for the constructive dismissal route (if you want to leave with a package) you need to be very careful om what you communicate back to your manager and others on the job.
Its ok to put things on hold as you take a day or two to work out if you want to go that way.

1. Apply if you want the role. Now that has been advertised, you have the full on job description, so you can see if it fits what you are doing now.
2. Look for other jobs too. You are likely to find that roles handling what you do are actually paid more.
3. Do ask your manager the specific reasons why he does not see you in the new role and feedback on your current performance. Just do not be emotional. Just matter of fact. And, if possible, get it in written.

I think you will find another job and leave. Even if they give you that role, at the end.
These guys are shady. They let you do all the work and then reward someone else. Well, you got the experience and know how now, so you can fly to better places.

Your relationship with your manager is pretty much toast now anyway.

I'd follow up in writing to your manager, your conversation with the recruiter and your manager by putting a summary of the points discussed and request that you had understood correctly that you would not even be offered an interview and request the reasons why your manager does not see you in this role, even though the role encompasses a large proportion of your current role, with a formal request as to what your new role will be once they have recruited this new person to do your role. And request why the consideration would not be to simply fund the expansion of A to B instead.

I'd record any further conversations and tell them you need to record these conversations going forward for future reference, and always follow up with 'my notes from the meeting were x, am I correct in my understanding?'

This is cracking advice.

If you can stomach it, it’s a great strategic plan serving you, your needs and paving the future path giving you choices built on an opportunity provided by this company.
Milk it, wringing out every advantage available to you.
In the mean time, ear to the ground, take your time to find the exact right fit for you rather than knee jerk based on feeling upset & sad.
Get a business head on and keep it on.

Absolutely feel pissed off though, it’s a shitty thing that’s happening to you, but use it to your advantage.

Good luck!

They have used you and you are too good for them. Get out of there with your head held high.

Don't know if you are being demoted as such but obviously you can never climb higher in this company than your present position. So maybe time to look for a new job.
As for the new job, definitely apply for it. If they treat you unfairly, it would be good to have the evidence.
If you don't get the higher position, as you think you won't, and you are still at this place when the newbie arrives, I would go in for a spot of "quiet quitting" while ramping up my job search.

What's the male/female ratio in senior leadership like? Wondering if this is a case of your face not fitting because your manager just doesn't really "get on with" women and wants a guy in role?

Agree with those saying apply anyway. Good prep and means they can't say there was an opportunity but you weren't interested should things get legal. But I would be looking elsewhere any way. Even if you actually get offered the job, take but apply for something new (stay for a while to embed the job in your CV if that's likely to be helpful). This is not a company to stay at unless your current manager leaves.

My first thought on reading what the recruiter had said was to say apply anyway. Recruiters often get finders fees and commission for providing applicants and then fees if applicants are successful - so by putting you off applying they are removing the competition for their bonus

As for your line manager and why they are bringing in this role, it sounds like they have an ill advised strategy both for the management of A & B as you say but also in engaging you and your morale in how this has been handled

I would apply, give it your best shot and if you don’t get it leave anyway - and defo contact ACAS for advice as it is so similar to your current role. Good luck

1. This, especially if you don’t get the new role (sorry, I expect you won’t) work to rule/ do the bare minimum, refuse to train up the new boss (not in your job description and clearly beyond your skills)