Unsure whether to accept new job description

trojan10_om

I've been presented with a new job description and I'm not sure if it will be a good move for me. I feel like I pretty much have to accept it, even if legally I could challenge it I need to think what's best for my career. 

I work in marketing, and I've been been stripped of half of my tasks (website, social media) to enable me to focus on video production (which was only like 30% of my role previously). The are recruiting someone new to take over my old tasks - there was a pretty clear hint they wanted someone at a higher level than me to do this. 

The good news is that my new role is (just about) management level - something I requested a year a go and I'm really pleased they've taken this into account. I'll be a line manager to the trainee, have a budget etc.  

The bad side is that I never expected to loose half of my tasks.  In my latest personal development review I was told I was doing well in these areas.  I'm worried that my new role is too niche and it will limit me in the future. I do enjoy the video production, but honestly doing it full time would be exhausting, constant high pressure and technically challenging. As a result of this, and the fact I'd be coming a manager I'd naturally be expecting a pay rise. 

They have agreed I will be moved up the pay scale 'but only a small amount' because I'm already paid well for what I currently do (this is true).  They did not accept that the video production  is higher pressure, more technically challenging etc, but going to management level will merit a rise. 

TLDR The fact that my pay will barely go up makes me apprehensive that it won't be worth it. 

My problem is I feel like I have to accept the plans. They are recruiting for the other position straight away.  I've got what I wanted in terms of management (great for experience and progression), but at the expense of pushing me into a niche what might limit me in the future. 

Maybe my only option is to ask them to state with certainty what scale I will be on, and that I would be delighted to commit to the role if this would be agreeable. Do I have any other options? Clearly asking to keep my existing position with the same pay is an unsuitable option all-round

Marcon

trojan10_om said:

I've been presented with a new job description and I'm not sure if it will be a good move for me. I feel like I pretty much have to accept it, even if legally I could challenge it I need to think what's best for my career. 

I work in marketing, and I've been been stripped of half of my tasks (website, social media) to enable me to focus on video production (which was only like 30% of my role previously). The are recruiting someone new to take over my old tasks - there was a pretty clear hint they wanted someone at a higher level than me to do this. 

The good news is that my new role is (just about) management level - something I requested a year a go and I'm really pleased they've taken this into account. I'll be a line manager to the trainee, have a budget etc.  

The bad side is that I never expected to loose half of my tasks.  In my latest personal development review I was told I was doing well in these areas.  I'm worried that my new role is too niche and it will limit me in the future. I do enjoy the video production, but honestly doing it full time would be exhausting, constant high pressure and technically challenging. As a result of this, and the fact I'd be coming a manager I'd naturally be expecting a pay rise. 

They have agreed I will be moved up the pay scale 'but only a small amount' because I'm already paid well for what I currently do (this is true).  They did not accept that the video production  is higher pressure, more technically challenging etc, but going to management level will merit a rise. 

TLDR The fact that my pay will barely go up makes me apprehensive that it won't be worth it. 

My problem is I feel like I have to accept the plans. They are recruiting for the other position straight away.  I've got what I wanted in terms of management (great for experience and progression), but at the expense of pushing me into a niche what might limit me in the future. 

Maybe my only option is to ask them to state with certainty what scale I will be on, and that I would be delighted to commit to the role if this would be agreeable. Do I have any other options? Clearly asking to keep my existing position with the same pay is an unsuitable option all-round

You're mixing two objectives: long term career (and how it might be limited by what you see as a niche move) and status/financial reward (you say you are already well paid for what you do, and then start worrying about the limited pay increase/which scale you'll be on).

It doesn't sound as if you are being given any options in the immediate future other than to accept the changes to your role and the proposed pay increase - but you do need to be clear in your own mind about your reservations. From your final paragraph, you seem to have resolved in your own mind that you'd be happy with the new role if you were paid more/had a guarantee of being on a particular pay scale going forwards.

Sit back, think through if that's correct and if so, try that line and see where it gets you. Just leave yourself enough wriggle to room to accept what you've been offered with (apparent) good grace and give it a go. If things don't work out as you wish, you are in a stronger position to re-negotiate with your current employer if you've done a great job in good style - or start quietly looking for alternative employment.

TELLIT01

It would seem your employer wants you to focus on one specific area, presumably one they think you are particularly good at.  Removing the other responsibilities would suggest they expect this area to grow and fill you time.  Assuming it's an area you enjoy that can only be a good thing.

An employer has the right to adjust job roles pretty much as they see fit.  Most job descriptions have a 'catch all' along the lines of 'such other work as may be deemed necessary'.  That covers removal of responsibilities as well as adding them.

trojan10_om

Thank you, the two responses summarise my feelings well. 

Correct, I have been mixing two objectives. 

I do enjoy the video production (the role I'm moving to), but I know for certain it will be much harder and more pressure and therefore less enjoyable if I'm doing it all of the time rather in bursts.  My reservations about this are offset by the fact I'll become a manager, which is what I wanted. 

As the employer can pretty much change my contract however they like/need - then it doesn't seem I have very good grounds for negotiation. 

Does my tone basically need to be along the lines "I'd be delighted to take the new role, I recognise the extra pressures and responsibilities that come with it. I would like to be clear about the level of reward which is being offered, and hope you can take into account not only the management responsibility but the enhanced responsibility that comes with video production when compared with the tasks required in my previous role."

trojan10_om

I was also thinking about whether to suggest they set a pay scale for me to move to upon the start of the new role (a small increase) then a further increase in 6 months to take into account the management responsibilities. The delay would represent the fact that I'd be transitioning and learning about management, so I'm happy not to not be rewarded straight away. 

When I was originally employed, the HR director took that approach with my pay. 

TELLIT01

trojan10_om said:

Thank you, the two responses summarise my feelings well. 

Correct, I have been mixing two objectives. 

I do enjoy the video production (the role I'm moving to), but I know for certain it will be much harder and more pressure and therefore less enjoyable if I'm doing it all of the time rather in bursts.  My reservations about this are offset by the fact I'll become a manager, which is what I wanted. 

As the employer can pretty much change my contract however they like/need - then it doesn't seem I have very good grounds for negotiation. 

Does my tone basically need to be along the lines "I'd be delighted to take the new role, I recognise the extra pressures and responsibilities that come with it. I would like to be clear about the level of reward which is being offered, and hope you can take into account not only the management responsibility but the enhanced responsibility that comes with video production when compared with the tasks required in my previous role."

Certainly no harm in asking the question about remuneration but I would stick to the area around managerial responsibility.  That mainly because you are already undertaking video production work and it could be argued that any changes are simply expansion of the existing role.

Marcon

trojan10_om said:

Thank you, the two responses summarise my feelings well. 

Correct, I have been mixing two objectives. 

I do enjoy the video production (the role I'm moving to), but I know for certain it will be much harder and more pressure and therefore less enjoyable if I'm doing it all of the time rather in bursts.  My reservations about this are offset by the fact I'll become a manager, which is what I wanted. 

As the employer can pretty much change my contract however they like/need - then it doesn't seem I have very good grounds for negotiation. 

Does my tone basically need to be along the lines "I'd be delighted to take the new role, I recognise the extra pressures and responsibilities that come with it. I would like to be clear about the level of reward which is being offered, and hope you can take into account not only the management responsibility but the enhanced responsibility that comes with video production when compared with the tasks required in my previous role."

Delighted is probably putting a bit strongly - and I wouldn't overdo the management responsibility associated with managing one trainee and a budget, unless we're talking sole responsibility for millions (and I think probably not!). Frankly you aren't going to learn that much about 'management' in 6 months - it isn't some sort of skill you pick up in the short term.

I'd keep things short, simple and a bit on the vague side, possibly along the lines (but in the way you'd phrase it) of happy to comply with your request/could we review the position, including remuneration, at the end of 2021, to ensure things are progressing as all parties would wish and to consider any training requirements needed.

Savvy_Sue

One thing you could do to avoid 'nicheness' might be to see if you could offer the social media / website expertise to any charities / social groups you're involved with on a voluntary basis. Needn't take a lot of time.

Just as an example, I help with the website for a walking group we're involved with. It's clear we've got to develop it / move host / re-write it, and if I put a decent chunk of work into it I'd definitely expect to include it on my CV if I was ever job-hunting again! Experience gained through voluntary work has played a huge part in getting me where I am today. 

theoretica

You do have the option to apply for the other role with the other part of your job if you think you would prefer that.

For career going forwards, have you thought about asking or negotiating for training and qualifications?  Either in any aspects of video production you would find useful (and the software seems to be endlessly changing) or management training.