Having trouble figuring out my actual role and position on the team and would appreciate your advice.

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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  1. Anonymous

    It sounds to me like he has no clue what's going on yet his ego and fragile pride won't admit it and blaming YOU for HIS misdirected advice.

    They hired you to manage, yet you are micromanage and demoted.

    Dod your last job ended at your doing or company's? Either way, you can state downsizing but if you have a reference, better.

    Sounds like where you are won't improve--

  2. Anonymous

    Thank you so much for sharing. I didn't consider the ego angle. I can tell that he's floundering but he won't accept help or suggestions. When I actioning an initiative to move projects forward, it's immediately halted requiring buy-in from higher powers or getting others feedback. The team is paralyzed to finish tasks or afraid to fail.

    We're human and sometimes things don't work out and you learn more from making mistakes than completing them. By requiring everyone's buy in it feels that he knows things aren't going to work out and then can say well you supported it so it's not our fault.

    Your advice meant a lot and I've decided to start searching and determine what's out there. While I hate the thought of job searching again, especially in this market, staying here could be worse!

  3. Anonymous

    It sounds to me like it's more about personality / ego / energy than anything else. Your boss is doing what he wants because [he thinks he] can. We can all understand that there may be times in a job you have to do something off your JD, and with clear guidance and expectations (conversation), there' can be a healthy approach forward. Your manager isn't doing that and I am not sure why.

    A few things to consider. It doesn't sound like it'll improve in your current dynamic. You can judge whether or not you want/need to stay. I certainly understand about the experience / salary conversation.

    I'd suggest to start looking and --within the first 90 days that's what [cultural] fit is about. You could leave it off your resume altogether. It's fine. People understand you're looking. (If concerned, you could choose to say downsizing, re-org, not a fit. ).

    While you're at the job, consider doing what you think is best. Either try to play [his / their ] game and do what he asks- if it's not soul-sucking. Or, do the work you think is best based off your JD ---and if confronted, say you have the bandwidth for A or B, but don't have bandwidth for both. If there are other managers/ departments around see if you may be a fit with them. Best of luck.

  4. Anonymous

    You're spot on in your assessment. I'm struggling under the weight of his indecisions and it's even worse since I'm new to the company. Even trying to get certain things actioned requires a basic understanding of which other employees hired at the same time are still going through training on their teams. I was dropped in on my first day and have been treading water ever since then.

    I'm glad you noticed the issues that I alluded to as I wanted an outside perspective. I've always believed that if I tried hard enough or took control over a situation that I could make it better. It seems that the team needs direction to move forward but yet fears change as well. I'm shocked to find that there aren't systems, tools or procedures in place. Being told I need to plan all of this without anything as a foundation as I don't have the authority, budget or support to be able to action any changes.

    I decided to start looking but sadly in this area, there aren't a lot of options and open roles are $20K less than my current salary. I appreciated your feedback and I've taken your suggestions to heart!

  5. Anonymous

    Does not sound like you can do your job with him as your boss. I would seriously start looking elsewhere.

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