Which job?

[Howdoistopthecatshoutingatme]

Both in my team but different arms of it. I like the people I'd work with in either arm. Both are new positions. I'd like a promotion but it's not a priority. I like my current job.

Job A
5 month secondment but I think it will be made perm. If not, Ill be moved back into my current job.
Promotion
Need to hit the ground running
The work is already half established which is good...
...but will be messy to pick up and understand
I'm not sure they know what they want the job to be.
Very high profile
Very out of my comfort zone
Stressful
Line management of a very small (good) team
At the moment I dont really understand it but I can learn

Job B
Extension of my current job
I'm being promised that there will be a promotion opportunity in the future but I'm not counting on it
A chance to be in the project from the start
More control over it because I'll be developing the role.
Will become VERY high profile
A good level of challenge. By that I mean it will challenge me but I wont feel out of my depth.
Able to keep my hand in my current job
More of a chance to make my mark
Organisation wide
Even if no promotion, it will give me some really great evidence for my CV
Working directly with the VIP in my org
The lead asked to work with me specifically

Which one would you choose and why?

Job B - slow and steady wins the race. Sounds like a good opportunity to develop your skills, with less immediate pressure and possibility of excellent rewards down the line.

I would choose B

I'd choose the project which interested me most, because I'd be more motivated to do it.

You don’t mention money: is there a difference in pay?

If both equal Job B is a no brainer. Equal level of progression and experience but with less stress and uncertainty.

A is a grade above mine but significantly more money. In fact I was shocked at the difference in pay between the 2 grades.

But money isnt a driver for me.

Obviously it would be nice but we don't need it as such. My partner is more money driven so is unintentionally putting pressure on me to chose A. Ironically, he has zero interest in promotion from his job (which is absolutely fine but funny that he wants me to take a job based on money).

They are both quite similar projects involving setting up a service doing the same sort of thing. Id be intetested and motivated on either project.

If money is genuinely not a concern I would go with Job B.

It's B, of course it is.

What are your other life circumstances? If you have the headspace for it, I'd choose A for the satisfaction of the challenge, and an opportunity to show your skills but with a reassuring get out at the end of the secondment if you don't love it. But if there's a risk of detriment elsewhere in your life, (eg less time/headapace you need for things like house renovations, children, hobbies or caring) then B.

Intuitively, I would go for option A because it fits my personality 100%. I love "they are not sure what they want the job to be" BUT only if it means complete autonomy for me to make it what I need it to be. I've had a lot of success with positions like this in the past and learned a lot.

However, if option B sounds more sensible to you and you are not driven by money, and it fits with your current lifestyle then that's what you should go for.