Suggesting a restructure at work (that I hope to benefit from) - any tips, advice, guidance?
A senior member of the team has just announced that she’s stepping down, which will eventually leave a large void. I’m a few paygrades below her, but she’s suggested that I propose a restructure, which would create an ideal step-up for me.
I’ve arranged a catch up with the relevant people, but how blatant should I be about the new role (and how suitable I would be for it)? Should I just come out and say - “here’s an idea for a new role, and hey, here’s why I’m ideal for it!”?
Given that I can’t really go to my line-managers (because this will affect them), any advice, pointers, tips, suggestions, stories etc would be greatly appreciated. I have 24 hours to put my pitch together.
Posted Feb 5, 2020, 11:02 PM UTC
11
I totally did this recently. No one in my company was stepping down, I just saw a need for a new role and saw a need for myself to get out of being in front of customers 100% of the time. I did an entire powerpoint, sat my boss down, and presented it! I pointed out the issues we were all having and how a new role would solve them, then I explained how my background was perfect for it.
I knew what I was asking would take a while to implement because it would involve some changes at our corporate office and in our computer system too, so I resigned myself to being patient. My boss didn't say much upfront - truthfully he doesn't understand my job completely so I knew he'd need time to process and get feedback from other managers & people in the company. Then he asked me to send him the powerpoint I'd put together because he wanted to present it at his meeting with our new regional manager!
Then it was Christmas and I was out of town, but the first time we were both in the office at the same time in the new year, he made a point to come to me and tell me that they REALLY liked my presentation and even some other decision-makers from corporate were at the meeting and really liked my ideas. He said it wasn't going to happen overnight or even within a couple months, but that it was something they wanted to start moving towards.
Honestly I'm still stoked about it and of course ready to implement all the changes NOW but gotta be a bit more patient. I've been here 9.5 years and I KNOW how slowly some things have to go in order to get them where you want them.
All that to say - go for it!