Director at age 35 - Really? Me?

Director at age 35 - Really? Me?

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Discussion

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,045 posts

135 months

Thursday 6th August 2015
quotequote all
I have just been offered an external junior director position outside of my current industry for a huge consultancy.

I am 35, and unsure on accepting.

Reasons being do I want the responsibility? Family life balance?

Did I mention the responsibility? Living with the knowledge I will probably be hated on the floor. Probably won't be able to have proper banter as I currently do as people would think I'm unapproachable.

For me it was a purely spurious opportunity to gain experience for interviewing for the next step up the food chain. I prepped and approached the process with a lot of due diligence.


Little did I know I would be offered the role.

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,045 posts

135 months

Thursday 6th August 2015
quotequote all
Zoon said:
Go for it, didn't do me any harm at 23.
23! Is that in your own company.....

Impressive nonetheless

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,045 posts

135 months

Thursday 6th August 2015
quotequote all
The Beaver King said:
What is your current role and industry?

I'm lined up for a Director role within the next 18 months and I feel perfectly up to it. In fact, having spent the last 4 years as a senior manager, I don't think it will be any worse in terms of work/life balance than what I already do. Currently working 7-5 anyway, with a couple of late nights as and when.

To be honest, I think management is something you get or you don't. Rather than focusing on a single task, you spend most of your time juggling 4/5/6 issues and delegating out the best course of action. Responsibility is par the course, but as long as you are confident that you know your stuff, you will grow into the role.

I'd definitely take it in your situation. 35 is a good age (not too young, not too old). At 28, my concern is getting my promotion quite young and not being taken seriously (I work in construction, where everybody has 30+ experience).

Go for it and good luck!
Hi, I am currently in Banking / Financial services and I am a 'Head of' within Finance

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,045 posts

135 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
DSLiverpool said:
Being simplistic

Director with share options and dividend = real director

Director with none = senior manager with better title

See USA examples of Vice President, senior vp, junior vp etc - UK equivalent.

Go for it, if they work you too hard for too little move on.
Hi,

Having read the contract, I do have share options....

I have accepted the role, currently doing 2 months notice at current place.

Its all a bit mental as I have frog leaped maybe minimum 2 rungs on the foodchain?

Have a bit of trepidation, nothing like being outside your comfort zone

HannsG

Original Poster:

3,045 posts

135 months

Friday 28th August 2015
quotequote all
Countdown said:
How many levels of Director are there above you? [Your OP said it was a junior director position].
I report direct into group COO. So I assume not many!