Stepping up internally? Being taken seriously

[8-P]

Hi All,

Just avoided losing my job in an internal restructure but part of this will involve the company hiring a new commercial director to manage 2 sales teams(public and private), marketing and customer care.

I’m Head of Marketing at the moment, so not the perfect fit for this role. But I’m up for it, I want to progress. I’m well respected, good with numbers, not one of many dead wood types in the company either.

The question is should I apply? Or would I be wasting everyone’s time!

All views welcome

[Mr E]

Apply. Even if it’s a flat “no thanks” your enthusiasm/interest will be noted.

[Time4another]

Get your name down.

I'd imagine there will be people management involved. I'd be prepared for questions around that. If you are good at what you do numbers wise they will know that and there's little point asking questions around that.

[Cwomble]

A marketing manager isn't a natural fit to go into a sales management role.
However...
You'd be mad not to apply.

[Collectingbrass]

Go for the interview experience if nothing else, and be very well prepared for questions on how you would manage the elements of the role that you don't know anything about or have experience in.

At that level with such a broad brush role it is common to have no direct experience in areas of your remit, but despite what my current line manager thinks most people think bullst and bluster will only get you so far and definitely isn't a good interview strategy. Think about what the role really needs in the organisation as it is set up, and with the people you would be heading up as they are in the roles they have. As an example, I need a strong design manager and cost manager and I have said things like "I know I can trust Bob implicitly to deliver what I need in this role but I may need to do some work to develop Bill to the place I need him to be"

[The jiffle king]

I have a different approach.

Not saying you should not apply but given you already work there I would do the following:
- See the hiring manager and explain your interest and ask them what they really want the role to deliver
- Talk with the Head of HR to express your interest and that you've spoken to the line manager and feel that you have something to offer
- Ask to spend a few hours with the line manager understanding the role and the challenges so that when you apply, you can tailor your approach


Honestly they will have people they want to interview already or will be going externally but just applying will not get you the role. Building the key relationships as above is much more likely to see you succeed

[8-P]

Thanks for all the views, lots of good points.

The hiring manager(senior director) is my current boss of 3 years. We get on really well(there wouldn’t be any favours) and I’m sure there would be someone from hr and possibly the COO in the meeting. I would be known by those two, too.

I have nothing to lose as others have said and I get a chance to express my desire to progress etc

[8-P]

Well, almost exactly 1 month since I posted the job spec has been released, so time to put my money where my mouth is.

[Gary29]

Good luck, if you're enthusiastic about the role, 100% go for it. I hope you get it.

[Slow.Patrol]

8-P said:

Well, almost exactly 1 month since I posted the job spec has been released, so time to put my money where my mouth is.

Good luck.

And let us know how it goes.

[8-P]

Thanks. Realistically, I can think of two others internally who might apply. Then there will be external candidates, but I honestly think salary expectations from these people would be 10-20k higher than if they gave me an ok pay rise.