Having trouble figuring out my actual role and position on the team and would appreciate your advice.
Anonymous
Having trouble figuring out my actual role and position on the team and would appreciate your advice.
I accepted a manager level role in March without direct reports. During the interview, due to my higher-level experience (I was a director for ten years at a prior company) I was told he would use me to supervise the younger staff members.
I accepted the role due to the salary, JD and what was conveyed during the interviews. Since my first day, I've struggling to figure out my actual job. I was asked to oversee a project but not given the power to manage them. The director said he wanted everything to go through him rather than me and it didn't work out the way he planned as he didn't assign things clearly to the younger team members. Without having the power to action / manage the group, they didn't understand what was needed and I wasn't given the authority to manage them only check that if work was being done which it was finished.
The next day the director wanted a completely different approach and said the project wasn't being done the way he wanted. He told me to share the new direction with the team members. I provided a list of what was needed and went over the changes with them. At the end of the day, he said that was wrong and didn't ask me to do that even though that's what he requested.
Every day he changes his mind about what the department needs and its direction. Now he's taking the coordinator's roles and giving me them and handing her off to an outside director that requested help even though our team is struggling to get projects completed.
I feel like I'm being sabotaged and I don't have a clear description. I didn't mind going down to a manager level due to the salary and JD but taking over the coordinator's work feels like a huge demotion.
I need to do all her projects along with anything else he deems at needed even when it's not part of my JD. I'm so confused and wondering if things can get better or if I should start looking for a new role?
I've tried talking to him and don't get a clear answer or response to priorities. Other employees are stating it takes years to get anything accomplished as the director doesn't action or finish projects. Is there any hope of salvaging this job or should I start looking?
I've been there around two months and I'm wondering if it's best to leave off my resume and list my director role as last position. I'd appreciate your advice!


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