Starting in new post - role is new to the organisation

[Furnituremusic]

As in my title, I'm starting a new role in that it's new to me and the organisation. It's the same team I've been with for the past two years who are mostly great.

I've never been in the position of having to develop a new work area before. I'm excited for the challenge and where it could lead, however I haven't really been given much to go on. The people who appointed me to the role have now left, and my immediate line manager is very hands off. I have a meeting booked in next week to share my ideas for getting started but I also want to hear from them as to how they see things developing.

What sorts of questions would you be asking in this scenario? I have immediate priorities, the first 90 days etc. but feel like I'm missing some bits.

I'm in higher Ed, professional services with a remit for REF2028 (for those that know this particular joy!)

Thanks in advance.

Sounds exciting... as a person who also has REF2028 responsibility in HE professional services (are you the new director of REF haha) welcome! I've never been in this situation though as I've always changed institutions when this happened. One of the things which help me is to have my own plan. What do I want to achieve in this role and what do I think someone in this role needs to do and then start working on the areas. Especially in HE where many managers are hands off. With REF2028 I would say start looking at culture as that seems to be becoming more important and I'm sure you know but know all the recommendations from FRAP so that you are seen as the one that is knowledgeable in the area. (Join the ARMA REF SIG if you are not). A bit of a ramble but hopefully somewhat useful

Ps I slims be asking about what their biggest challenge is, any intros to key stakeholders you don't already know, any training opportunities you sold like to attend etc

Thank you, this is so helpful! I am not the director of REF2028 phew

What size HEI are you in? I'm in a small, 'emerging' research culture with responsibility across all our faculties, so there's a lot to get across.

Do you find ARMA useful?

I am in a small specialist institution (REF is only a small part of what I do) and I find ARMA really useful in terms of finding out what the key things I need to worry about. The sig s (Special interest groups) ate particularly useful as others would have read everything in so much detail that I don't have the time to do) and then I get the key points.