Return post career break and pigeon holed

[OverWorkedAndAggrieved]

This will be long. Sorry.
NCd for this but long time MNer.
Returned from 5 year career break to new company to job hugely more junior that previous roles - probably 20 years back to last role at that level. Even bosses role significantly junior to my old roles. Warned by ex boss that it was v junior but hours, commute and stress levels good. Needed to get my confidence up.
So 3 months in a project came in. Current mgr no knowledge on. area and my confidence was back so I volunteered to take it on.
And so it continued for next 3 years.
Global head said previously he had to manage such projects as no one else could so he was delighted.
Got pay rises but always kept at level suitably below current direct boss (who global head openly acknowledged couldn't do the work.)
Anyway. Now expanding.
Thought a rejig would have reporting line change to global head. And others also.
But new head.who has discussed with current boss and no.
All expansion to be under current boss who will get appropriate grade and salary increase to reflect the increase number and seniority of his reports.
Nothing against the chap - he's nice enough.
But he doesn't understand the work or even understand the complexity.
Utterly outside area of confidence.
Though he is a chap who can BS well.
But sooooo unfair.
DH says I should work to rule.
Stop doing 60 plus our weeks and picking up lots.
But I've always worked well and delivered. I'm a professional.
Right now being treated like a work horse.
Seems wrong.
But then I have never worked somewhere that this would have happened.
Don't want to job hunt.
2 of us working full time (and then some) with 3 DCs is hard enough.
So in stead of being bitter.
Should I say well done him for lucking out.
Or start the job hunt.
Really like global head. Expected better of her.
Naive of me I guess.

So basically you feel your boss is incompetent?

When you say he doesn't understand "the work", do you mean his job or your job? Because of course it's not necessarily important for your boss to have knowledge on your area, it's perfectly common to manage people who have different skills.

Assuming you feel he is not up to his job, again, it's very annoying but not hugely uncommon unfortunately.

When you say you expected better of the global head, what did you expect her to do? Do you mean performance manage your boss?

You mention being treated like a "work horse". That would surely be a different issue. Have you mentioned to your manager that your workload is too high?

Flowery. You are,as always, correct - boss's success or failure is not my problem.

Workload. Yes I have told them!
I am just tired.

And feel somewhat used and abused.
But too tired to job hunt.
So I think I shall reduce work to standard hours plus a little so I am seen to make a reasonable effort.
Prioritise work, list what is to be dropped or deferred and get agreement.
And breathe.
The annoying thing is the role used to be done by 2 others elsewhere. Both reported to global head, both more senior. And the job is now more challenging not less due to company growth.

I guess I need to refocus on DCs and not on working over and above job spec for no benefit.

Sorry. Waffling again.

For anyone else reading this - beware. If you step too far back after a gap, it trap you and make it hard.

I think you need to play hardball because even looking for a new job with your current title and pay you won't be recognised elsewhere.

Set up a meeting with clear aims of what you expect. Be prepared to leave tho and have a post lined up to go to. Even if it's the same post elsewhere then at least you will be doing the easy job correct for the money.

Thanks. I think you are right.
It's lose lose for me at the moment.
(Unreasonably) high work load and stress for what??
But how could I handle the meeting?
I have tried to play the conversation out. Identify what I want.
Can see any good outcome.
Would appreciate any ideas.