How to negotiate job in different dept when quitting

[406MtnFire]

Good evening everyone,

I'm looking to see how to strategically / tactfully ask my employer to change roles.  I have a counter offer from a different company that I'm highly considering. My current engineering role supports an industrial plant, where I have to be at the plant Mon - Fri, which includes a 50 minute commute.  (clown car). 

I just saw a recent internal posting for a corporate engineering role that I'm interested in (and fairly qualified for), which would be full remote. I'm very interested in the job and cancelling my commute.

I like my current position, but it has too little work/ life balance with the commute.  So I'd like to give my company a chance to counter offer my quitting notice - if I can change roles to this corporate remote role, I'll stay with the company. If not, thank you and goodbye.  Maybe it's as simple as tactfully wording my qualifications and applying ASAP? 

Job prospects:
1st choice: Remote corporate engineering role with current company
-Most interesting work, no commute, no day to day plant support

2nd choice: New company
-Lowest interesting work (but still enjoyable), 7 mile commute, day to day plant support

3rd choice: Current job
-Middle interesting work, 50 minute commute, day to day plant support

Life situation:
31, single, want a family
LeanFI, will work for 2 - 5 years until I get to $1.5 - 2M ?
NW: $1M

Just thought someone may have a word of wisdom. Thank you.

[jrhampt]

Depends on how good your relationship with your manager is, really, but since you already have another offer, I'd just be honest with your manager and let them know that the commute is killing you, you have an offer for an external job, but you like the company and would like to stay with them if possible but in a different role.  Then let them know you're applying for the internal role and do it ASAP since you don't have forever to consider the external offer. 

If this is an awkward conversation for you, might want to have a carefully worded email to send to your manager along with an invitation to discuss.

[LightStache]

Depends on how good your relationship with your manager is, really, but since you already have another offer, I'd just be honest with your manager and let them know that the commute is killing you, you have an offer for an external job, but you like the company and would like to stay with them if possible but in a different role.  Then let them know you're applying for the internal role and do it ASAP since you don't have forever to consider the external offer. 

If this is an awkward conversation for you, might want to have a carefully worded email to send to your manager along with an invitation to discuss.

+1
I'd talk with my boss first (definitely not email first) and lay on some thick gratitude before letting him know about my desires and intentions, including the external opportunity. Make sure to give a clear timeline, like 1 to 2 weeks, so it lights the fire under HR.

There's a good chance they'll string you along; if that happens then submit your notice. Notices get escalated damn quick.