I need to leave my current job for a number of reasons. I love the area that I work in but my team is increasingly toxic and the work is very repetitive. I have been in my role for nearly 5 years and had 15 years before that in a related role. I am well known and well regarded in the industry, speaking at a lot of events as well as doing a fair amount of media work.
An organisation that I know well is recruiting. I work with this organisation - and the people who are leaving it to create the vacancies - a lot although it’s in a different sector. There are two roles, one is more senior than the other. Initially, I assumed I’d apply for the more junior role (which is at Director level). This would be very comfortable for me, very much a sideways move albeit with a significant pay increase because of the sector that I’d be moving into. This role would cover one particular area with 3/4 other directors covering parallel areas. The more senior role has overall responsibility for all areas (and it’s worth saying that my current role covers all the areas). However, a couple of people have said to me that I should apply for the more senior role and I’m going back and forth. I never considered the more senior role but I don’t know if that’s just a lack of self-confidence and a significant case of imposter syndrome.
In favour of the more senior role: I am seen as the peer of the current person doing it, both by people already in the organisation and external stakeholders that I’d be dealing with. More money (think 2.5 times my current salary). Much more responsibility and the chance to reinvigorate the team at a crucial point in time. The risk that I go for the junior role and find the person appointed to the senior role is useless and get frustrated.
In favour of the more junior role: I’d be much more likely to get it, it would probably be a bit easier to do the role part time which is what I’d prefer (4 days per week), it would be pretty easy and low stress. I’ve suffered from significant burn out this year and could do with a break.
I’m not sure how relevant it is but we have one child (6) who currently is in wrap around care four days a week. DH is a high earner and even with the senior job, would earn twice as much as me so while salary is a consideration, it’s not make or break. I also have a small other source of income from a rental property although it’s not enough to live on. We live in London so have a fairly hefty mortgage.
So, what would you do?