It's looking likely that I will be moving into a different division at work. It's a lateral move, but I think it's a good opportunity, for various reasons.
However, my current division is currently a bit of a sinking ship. Our top two performers have both bailed recently. This of course has something to do with my decision, but I think my departure will be the one to turn two "isolated" (read: not at all isolated) exits into a trend. It's a bad time to be leaving, from my team's perspective. There's only about a dozen of us, so 3 exits is a lot. I know one other person is contemplating a move, as well, although I do not know if they will take the initiative.
Of course, these are not actually independent decisions. There are ongoing problems with our manager, and management is aware of this and has done nothing. I don't think they know the full extent of it. Certainly, no one is expecting me to leave (which cannot be said for the other two exits).
It's going to blindside my direct manager, who despite many shortcomings, has always been supportive of me and my career. Unfortunately I've decided that it's more important to me at this stage in my career to be around good role models and mentors, and with the departure of our two best team members, that no longer exists where I am.
I've decided that I'm not going to tell anyone that I am interviewing for the new position. (There have been several poaching attempts, so I am fairly confident I will be selected.)
The tricky thing is I really, really do not want to burn bridges with my current management. This new position will train me well to come back and work for our "sister office," which I'd like to have as an option. I'm currently well liked, so I think this can remain an option for me as long as I navigate my exit well.
I plan to negotiate as late a starting date as I can, with the new office, although that's going to be a real balancing act in moving slowly enough to give my current area a chance to hire some new people (this always takes forever; its government) versus not frustrating the new office with my reluctance. I don't realistically think I can delay it long enough for us to get new people in.
More than that, I need to put a spin on it that will help management be understanding of my departure, and it can't be "manager problems." I'm struggling with this, because it's a lateral move, and I can't really bemoan my current opportunities. Especially with people leaving, I have lots of opportunities for new roles where I am now, and I'm nowhere near my next promotion either here nor in my new role.
"I'm ready for new challenges?" -- that just seems so transparent. "I've always wanted to move around within the agency" - true, but why now, when my current office needs me so badly?
The truth is its mostly about the opportunity to work on a good team, because I know I need that right now, but the last thing I can do to save face is criticize my current team.
Help?