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Original poster

Torn between two role offers !

12 replies

Worktorn · 23/10/2025 02:16

Hi everyone — I’d really value some perspective on two role roles.

I’ve recently been offered a Manager position around project management at a large, nationally recognised charity institution). It’s an exciting place going through digital and organisational transformation, and the role would involve building frameworks from scratch . It’s only me , less people in a team to coach, technical but fixed term 1 year . This role will elevate me for future heads of … kind of role.i had to have 3 interviews to get this one

The second role is more mid level support/ managerial at a large transport organisation (public infrastructure). That role is more like the role I’ve come from previously so not challenging, routine stuff which I hate but more workload and PERMANENT and good reputable company too.this one offered me the role before I even left the vicinity

So I’m torn between:
• Option A: A stable, meaningful leadership role with me managing and leading things , very challenging which is the kind of person I am but fixed term

•	Option B: A more corporate, data-driven  support and mid managerial  role — slow paced , very routine tasks  but permanent .

Has anyone faced a similar decision?
Would you prioritise stability
at this point as family think I’m stupid I want to take the fixed term one considering the job market . ( I understand 😌)

But I want something I will enjoy and take on and build from scratch which would challenge me

I’d love to hear your honest takes —.

Thanks in advance for any advice! 🙏

OP posts:
AbzMoz · 23/10/2025 05:08

Are salary, benefits, commute, WFH etc similar? Does the 1y contract offer pension too? If after the 12m you can’t find another job, can you (as a family) comfortably meet your rent/mortgage obligations?

No objection to a fixed term per se but only one year for a technical transformation project doesn’t sound quite right… Did expectations after that period come up in interview? Are the people you’d be coaching (not managing) permanent - ie you’d train them then they’d take ownership of the projects?

TappyGilmore · 23/10/2025 05:24

For me I’d always take permanent over fixed-term, but I’m a single parent so we are entirely dependent on just my salary. Obviously other people may have more options.

So that for me would be the single deciding factor. Anything else like job satisfaction, career progression, etc really wouldn’t be considered.

LasVegass · 23/10/2025 05:35

It would be option B for me but I’ve never been particularly interested in climbing the career ladder or taking on more responsibility than I need to.

whimsicallyprickly · 23/10/2025 06:53

Fixed term, one year contract to build frameworks from scratch? I wouldn't even consider this. It's a ridiculous proposal.

If you aren't drawn to the other role, then keep looking

Tamfs · 23/10/2025 06:58

As PP said, you need longer than one year to do that work at large institution. However, I think that's the one you're leaning towards, which I get because you are ambitious. If your personal circumstance lend themselves to taking the risk of a 1 year FTC in order to treat it as a stepping stones in the full knowledge you'll need to put a huge amount of effort in, then do it. I think you'll be wondering 'what if?' if you take the safer job. I think you think that type of job will be there in a year anyway if you don't get made permanent at the charity job.

Dancingdance · 23/10/2025 07:01

I would always choose permanent over fixed term. You’ll put lots of effort into the fixed term and they won’t keep you on. Charity jobs rarely make positions permanent.

OnlyOnAFriday · 23/10/2025 07:27

It would depend for me what my personal circumstances are like and what the job market in that sector is like. If I had someone else at home bringing in a wage and we could cope short term on one wage, especially if there are quite a few jobs regularly advertised I'd go for Job A. Because having that experience could put you in a better position for future permanent jobs???

Cerialkiller · 23/10/2025 07:33

Depends on your personal circumstances.

Will it be easy to find decent roles after the year is up? I assume the ftc is more money? Are you in a position to save this extra cash in case you are in employed at done point.

How are family finances now? Could you afford to not have an income for a while?

I would be tempted to go for the more ambitious role but only if it doesn't put your family financial situation at risk.

Original poster
Worktorn · 23/10/2025 14:54

AbzMoz · 23/10/2025 05:08

Are salary, benefits, commute, WFH etc similar? Does the 1y contract offer pension too? If after the 12m you can’t find another job, can you (as a family) comfortably meet your rent/mortgage obligations?

No objection to a fixed term per se but only one year for a technical transformation project doesn’t sound quite right… Did expectations after that period come up in interview? Are the people you’d be coaching (not managing) permanent - ie you’d train them then they’d take ownership of the projects?

Thank you . I have had more clarity today but to be fair to the hiring manager, he has said he definitely does not expect it to be done within a year but could only guarantee one year as it is relating to funding , but he is almost certain it could lead to extension or permanent because definitely it’s not realistic to be done in a year . It is about building frameworks and ensuring it’s embedded and sustained before leaving .

OP posts:
Original poster
Worktorn · 23/10/2025 14:58

Tamfs · 23/10/2025 06:58

As PP said, you need longer than one year to do that work at large institution. However, I think that's the one you're leaning towards, which I get because you are ambitious. If your personal circumstance lend themselves to taking the risk of a 1 year FTC in order to treat it as a stepping stones in the full knowledge you'll need to put a huge amount of effort in, then do it. I think you'll be wondering 'what if?' if you take the safer job. I think you think that type of job will be there in a year anyway if you don't get made permanent at the charity job.

Thank you, Yes this is my line of thought

The HM has also said he does not expect it to be done within a year but could only guarantee one year as it is relating to funding etc , but he is almost certain it could lead to extension or permanent because definitely it’s not realistic to be done in a year . It is about building frameworks and ensuring it’s embedded and sustained before leaving

my thoughts re: the other permanent job .. there’s most likely going to be something open in that industry

I’m just keen on elevating my experience so I can move into the heads of roles …

OP posts:
Evasmissingletter · 23/10/2025 15:05

I’d go with the fixed term one to boost your Cv and opportunity to prove yourself in a transformational change role. You are obviously employable so I’m sure you would have no problem securing a position after the fixed term ends. Good luck

Original poster
Worktorn · 23/10/2025 18:29

Evasmissingletter · 23/10/2025 15:05

I’d go with the fixed term one to boost your Cv and opportunity to prove yourself in a transformational change role. You are obviously employable so I’m sure you would have no problem securing a position after the fixed term ends. Good luck

Thank you 🤗I’ve decided to go for the fixed term one

OP posts:
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