Applying for a job that might be seen as a step backwards?

[Yesterdayyesterday]

Currently in a middle management type role in a technical field, managing a team of about 5. Big organisation across multiple sites, matrix working (so my "team" isn't really a team as they don't work on the same things). I like my colleagues and my direct reports, but dislike the lack of organisation and leadership higher up in general and don't feel the organisation is very successful ultimately. I feel a bit trapped as I've been looking for other jobs for ages but nothing very relevant has come up.

I applied for a job in a sister organisation. Technical field but a bit different to mine (but I have transferable skills). Same job title and base pay but no line management. I feel energised by the idea of learning something new and a fresh environment, but worried about not having line management responsibility and potential effects in future career development. WWYD?

Personally I wouldn't move for the same pay but that's just me. I moved in the past from a team management role to an individual contributor role but that was for more money. Each has its pros and cons.

Can you wait until you find something that will show like you are making progress? Even if you learn something new at first, you might get bored with reduced responsibilities and no pay increase to make up for it.

Ultimately this could be a good move too, I am just obviously thinking it from my perspective...

For the same pay but no staff management - I would snap it up personally!

Is there definitely no room for negotiation?

Lol @NewLifter ! I know what you mean though. I actually enjoy line managing my team funnily enough, though it hasn't always been that way. But it does take up so much time that sometimes I feel I'm just there to assign resource, make sure information flows smoothly between different departments etc, rather than to produce any specific output!