Has Anyone Successfully Taken Their Boss’s Job After They Left?

My Boss announced he is leaving the company. Him and I have a very good relationship. I have been at my Marketing company for six years. I have been promoted multiple times, including one this year.

My boss is a vice president. I am a director, so there is one title gap between us.

My CMO informed me they would be putting a new boss above me and our department would be absorbed into another. However, I just found out the boss they are hiring over me is one title above me, a Senior Director. The job listing for senior director is very similar to my role and I could effortlessly take on the new responsibilities. I also know our business better than anyone else in our department as my role involves much more conversation with other departments and business leaders than others.

I spoke with my current t boss on Monday and he said he thinks I could absolutely do the job. But thinks because of my recent promotion and typical corporate politics that they won’t consider me even though I have the experience and everything they’re looking for.

Has anyone else been in the situation before and navigated it successfully? What would you recommend I do?

I am currently planning on talking to the hiring manager next week to discuss my potential candidacy for the role.