Which would you choose?

[CheeseNcrackerz]

Don’t want to put too many details on here but I am interested in others opinions. I need to make a decision soon about which of two jobs suits me better.

current job
pros
I can do it easily
global very stable company
I shouldn’t have any issue working from my home country if I need to temporarily
renumeration is decent for an individual contributor role
limited Travel requirements
wfh as often as I want (ie 4+ days a week)

cons
currently a contract position though it’s been implied that there’s opportunity to go perm though no indication of when/what / how
company structure is diabolical and it’s very hard to get things done
role is a lot less senior than what I’ve been doing for last decade I purposely took it as I burned out in my last role though my lack of influence frustrates me
also this seems to be a company where position and hierarchy is important which makes the frustration worse!
pace of progress is slow but pressure to make change is fairly high
I find my line manager difficult and not particularly invested in my success

possible new job- I didn’t apply for this an old boss reached out. Role includes 3 direct reports

pros
boss will be invested in my success
on paper this is more senior and I know I’ll be trusted and pushed to take on more
salary a bit higher than current role (about £5k)
will have more influence
jd was written for me so no issue with the scope

cons
boss is demanding- worked for them before
uk focus role so ability to travel home and work is unlikely

uk travel will be significant- I’ll be away for 2 days a week 2 x per month, sometimes more
plus the office locations are not easy to get to. 6 hours on a train.
Mid sized company hiring off the back of an investment round, so will be high pressure, results driven

what would you choose. I have one child who has been enjoying me be around a bit more, though of an age where she will increasingly expect a bit of freedom, such as walking to school by herself.

I would stick with the first job unless there was a more significant pay rise attached to the second. For me, the loss of flexibility wouldn’t compensate for £200 extra a month.

I'd stick with your current role. It sounds a lot more flexible and a better fit for your personal/family life. Money and status isn't everything.

I'd want a lot more than an extra £5k to compensate.At the same time, money isn't everything. I think that the new job would mean a reduction in work-life balance for you.

Although being head-hunted should be flattering, there can be drawbacks, such as feeling obliged to the manager who contacted you, being seen as his lackey, and if he leaves you could find yourself unpopular and with no support.
After a bad experience I made a rule: if they need you more than you need them, run fast in the opposite direction.

My 2p:

1. Never listen to 'jam tomorrow' - it rarely happens.
2. As best you can, ignore the immediate money, and look at the long term. There is a rude reality of bills, but seniority / job title is more important for future prospects than a bit of cash now.
3. Keeping in mind points 1 and 2, do what makes you happy. I sacrificed enjoyment for money, and, while there were short term benefits, every day was torture.
4. Your potential new boss sounds like a hard task master. That can be exciting if done fairly.
5. Have a long term plan, don't just drift from day to day.

Thanks! These are interesting responses. I guess I’m putting more (negative) weight on the frustrating culture in current role and the fact that it is only contract. Didn’t mention it in first post because it’s more outing but contract could end as soon as 3 months from now though I’m currently treated like a perm team member and the program of work I’m doing will last well into next year. I feel like a carrot is being dangled with out clarifying any boundaries of what success looks like.

i agree though the first job is a better deal when you look at renumeration v responsibility and flexibility