Will try and keep concise.
I left my job which I loved for a management role last year mainly due to better pay but also because I am passionate about the thing that I manage - I work in a very niche field and don't want to out myself.
I hold a large budget and manage 20 staff. I have three managers above me - 2 upper management and 1 essentially the director. Socially, they are great, we get along very well, I'm pretty sure they do like me.
Professionally, they are a nightmare to work with. They gave me absolutely no training in starting, said just to crack on and that I'd learn better in the deep end. It took me a good few months just to learn what was what, despite me asking for support it just wasn't there. I feel constantly frustrated and confused. All my performance reviews I'm told I'm doing a great job and they are very happy with me. But in reality, I don't do much and it doesn't seem like they do either!
The staff working under me are incredible, hard working, the sector we work in is really important (think charity) and I took this job because it was a great balance of a decent salary and actually being able to make a difference.
Now I'm a year in and I just feel like I'm not allowed to do anything. I was sold the job as having a budget to do things with, hold events, marketing, publicity. I come up with new ideas which initially they say how fantastic they are, then as soon as I put the wheels in motion and start making them a reality I am blocked at every turn. Basically they just want me to carry on with what is already ongoing, while portraying they are a forward-thinking creative sector. Which feels absolutely pointless because it's a self-sufficient service, they don't need me. And I still have this huge budget that we do nothing with. So I sit here twiddling my thumbs half the time!
My old boss has gotten back in contact and said how much they miss me on her team, and offered me a payrise to return into my old role. It's still around 5k less than what I'm on now, and I'm hesitant to return despite loving the job as there is basically no career progression there. But maybe it's worth it to be in a good team with good, respectful management.
I have 3 children and nursery fees, so the extra money does help to be honest.
AIBU... Just with everything? Should I man up and try to speak again to my current management about my current role and responsibilities? Should I think about going back to my old job? Or should I just sit here and enjoy the fact I have basically nothing to do and am getting paid for it?