To want progression that isn’t people management?

[ForBreezySloth]

I’m good at my job, I enjoy working independently or in small teams but every time I look at more senior roles, they seem to revolve around managing people. What if you want to grow in expertise, responsibility, or salary without being responsible for a whole team? Is that so unreasonable?

Perfectly reasonable.

Too many people who could progress in a business are not cut out for people management and/or it like you, is not their thing.

I hear you! I tend to find larger companies that support technical skills growth accept and create career paths that don't involve managing people. But sadly in most places becoming more senior involves managing people.

You down manage in a pyramid structure. I line manage three manage who between them manage a team of 15 - I don't have anything to with them, as three managers are in charge of operationally delivering.

We have subject matter expert roles on my large company. But it’s always going to limit your pay ceiling as the benefit you can delivery a business as a single although SME is limited compared to taking on more people.

the key is to find a good company where the majority of people responsibility is done by a HR function and you’re just responsible for their projects. And find a team where everyone’s capable. Therefore lessening the day to day involvement from you so you’re just shouldering the responsibility not the workload.

Are you as high as you can be as a technical specialist?