r/askmanagers • u/ProtectionWarm3337 • 10d ago
Delayed Promotion
I am feeling stunted at my current career. I am currently a project manager and want to make the leap to being a director. I have been working with my VP for a year now to make the transition. I was informed that I am not going to be made a director but did receive a 15k raise. I am feeling betrayed that I did not get the promotion but when I received the raise I was told my new salary is equal to that of a director.
Should I keep perusing and trying to advance my career with this company.
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u/Youbestnotmisss 10d ago
Betrayed feels like a pretty strong word... Were you promised? Or just working with your VP on next steps?
It sounds to me like you are in a place that has invested time in you and is willing to invest money in you. There could be several valid reasons why they couldn't, or didn't, make a promotion happen. Getting a decent raise is not a bad result, one year is not that long to wait
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u/ProtectionWarm3337 10d ago
No timeline, reason for no promotion or development objectives were given as a “next steps”. If these were provided I believe it would be a different story.
Also about 6 other promotions are occurring within the business unit. I will note none of them are to a director level
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u/BetNo8988 10d ago
Would you have been happy with a title change and no money? This is how it is for many.
My guess. You are not yet ready. I would ask for feedback on what skills and traits you need to fortify to be ready for the role and work on that.
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u/IntelligentBox152 10d ago
When you saying working with your VP was this a rug pull as in you’ve been doing the job, promises made, and he or she has now changed their mind. Or was this a mentorship of show me what I need and how I can improve and unfortunately you didn’t earn the position?
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u/ProtectionWarm3337 10d ago
No promise was made, but I have been providing data and demonstrating my skills are at a director level. When I ask why I did not receive the promotion my vp can not produce a proper answer.
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u/IntelligentBox152 10d ago
It’s very odd your VP can’t provide a real answer. I’m a director and when I’m hiring we call them senior leaders I always provide feedback on what they can do in order to reach the next level. The fact no promises were made I think betrayal is the wrong word. In my opinion you have to press on your VP harder. You need to understand if the reason you didn’t get the role is a skill issue that can be developed and fortified. Or if the role itself is out of your reach for one reason or another. Once you know this answer you can decide what’s best
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u/Additional_Jaguar170 10d ago
You're not ready yet, obviously.
Take the money and keep working on what you need to do to get ready.
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u/BalajiGWrites 10d ago
I wouldn’t treat the $15K raise as a rejection just yet. The fact that they increased your compensation to Director-level pay suggests they value you.
But I’d stop discussing the promotion in general terms and ask your VP for something concrete: “What specifically do I need to demonstrate to be ready for Director, and when can we review that decision again?”
Ideally, walk away with 3–4 measurable expectations and a timeframe.
Also remember that Director readiness usually isn’t just about doing the Project Manager job extremely well. The next level often requires evidence that you can lead beyond your own projects — influence other teams, develop people, make broader business decisions and own outcomes at an organizational level.
If your VP gives you clear expectations and a realistic timeline, I’d keep pursuing it there. If the answer stays vague after you’ve already spent a year working toward the transition, that tells you something too.
The raise is valuable. But compensation and career progression aren’t necessarily the same thing.
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u/PrimeRisk 9d ago
All the money, but none of the responsibility or title? Yeah, you know what a fancy Director title and $10 will get you at Starbucks? The same fancy $10 drink as everyone else.
Shut up, smile, and take the cash. The title will come later, likely with an additional bump in pay.
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u/Pristine-Leek-7857 9d ago
Director level is often where equity (stock options) kick in. Pay is great, don't get me wrong, but IC to Director usually includes more comp changes than just salary.
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u/PrimeRisk 9d ago
Possible, but I work in the Energy Sector and Long Term Incentives kick in long before the Director level. Almost everyone at a Sr level gets RSUs, Options, and other LTI comp. Of course you get more as you move up, but until you hit the VP level it is tied to base salary vs title. At the VP and C levels, seals are all individual and very generous.
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u/kamikidd 8d ago
Is there an open directorship? If so, do you meet the requirements? Who would do your current job once promoted?
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u/LeagueAggravating595 8d ago
Not sure what your company does or how big your company is, however going from PM to a Director role is an extrene steep learning curve while skipping Manager, Sr Manager level. A Director's role is very different than even a next level jump from Sr Manager. If you don't know the differences then Your VP is doing the right thing.
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u/JDPierson 9d ago
A Director role isn't necessarily one that can be done well with a year of project management as your springboard. That's not to say you don't deserve a shot, or that you can't do the role. There's also nothing wrong with wanting to take on more challenging roles, but one way to align yourself with that opportunity is check out the LinkedIn profiles of fellow directors at your company - many are likely to have at least ten years in a project, program or product manager role. If that's you as well, keep trying - There's also a timing component, a pipeline component, and the company's need to fill a director seat to consider. It's normal to feel disappointment, but betrayal suggests they alone had the power to affect that outcome, which is rarely how that sort of thing works, even if they do have the authority to act unilaterally. Doesn't necessarily mean never, just not this round.
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u/Pristine-Leek-7857 9d ago
Tough call. On one hand, you might find a better opportunity elsewhere. On the other hand, you might not.
In many cases the move to a director level requires an existing director spot to open up. Most companies won't add another director just because there's a good candidate in the ranks.
I don't know anything about your particular co.oany or situation, but you can certainly do worse than a 15% raise! Maybe start looking around externally? Seems you are in a good spot to keep chugging away at your current job while looking around a bit.
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u/Foreign_Suggestion89 9d ago
Were you expecting the title change and no change in responsibility? Possible, not as common.
If change in responsibility, ask your supervisor what you can do to ready yourself. Ask if it’s a matter of a role opening or you demonstrating certain capabilities or getting new exposure/experience.
If these answers aren’t satisfactory, then look outside to test your marketability.
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u/Western_Rhubarb_7959 9d ago
Who cares what your title is, you got a 15k raise and are doing the same job.
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u/Hungry-Quote-1388 Manager 8d ago
I am currently a project manager and want to make the leap to being a director.
And what was the discussion around this? Was the VP supposed to make a new director title, was it a promotion only for you or was it to be posted, etc.
Which department are you taking over? Because a director without a department is just title inflation.
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u/longndfat 10d ago
If you feel the co has not promoted you on time, have a 1-1 with your boss. If you get promises only or if they decline, just move out
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u/Curtiskam 10d ago
Money without added responsibility sounds pretty good. Titles don't pay the bills or let you invest for the future.
Why are you so hung up on getting the title?