New manager between my boss and me

Question

I was hired half a year ago as an IT manager responsible for a geographical region. I report to the global head of IT. I'm the sole responsible for the strategy definition, setting the processes we follow, aligning them with other teams, for coordination tasks, budgeting, hiring/ firing of IT people in my region. Obviously, also for the performance of our function. (I do consult with my boss of course, the word "sole responsible" is to mean that I'm not one of the managers responsible for that).

Now I learn that my boss is searching for a person at an intermediate level between himself and me, or more precisely us. The person will be responsible for my and one more region directed by a colleague - however, the other region is much smaller than mine. So I will basically have a boss who will be responsible for mostly what I do: creating the strategy, selling it to other units, etc. all the managerial tasks for my region and another one which is much smaller and less relevant.

I see it a bit as a demotion. Given our being extremely understaffed I suppose this will mean me getting back to development tasks. And I accepted this position to learn something new. Do I have reasons for that? What should I do?

Let me add: It's not just about my region. He's trying to do the same for another region, but that's not a very good consolation.

Answer 1

You're looking at it from the perspective of you. You say that your boss is managing many different people - this is cognitively demanding and means that not every direct report could be getting the attention they need to be managed and utilized effectively.

Your boss could just be simplifying his workload, offloading difficult-to-manage tasks to somebody who can afford to focus on your region and the other one.

If you really do think you're being demoted, the obvious solution from your point of view is to apply for the new intermediate position.

Answer 2

You haven't been demoted. You're retaining your position. He's doing this for another region as well as yours. This is about your boss managing his workload and direct reports. This is an "up level" management change and decision. This is not about you.

Answer 3

It's a restructure but a dangerous one for you, especially as you are discouraged from applying for the position, which basically says he's either not confident in your abilities to expand what you're doing now, or he has someone specific in mind already (pretty common).

It could be a retrenchment where the boss is contemplating replacing two region heads with one, or any number of other things. But it doesn't bode well for you. The danger is a bit further down the line when this person has control over both regions, they no longer need anyone at your level.

Best case scenario it's a sinecure job and nothing really changes.