Okay, Zur and the Ko-Dan Armada aren't actually involved.
But I have an interview tomorrow at lunch with some folks who've seen me work and want to steal me. Pay is comparable, working environment vastly superior, with actual upside potential as well if I decide I want to hang around and get motivated (~50% pay increase w/in 4 yrs). The guy trying to steal me is retiring in a couple of years. Quote: "I'm getting ready to retire: upward mobility is my position."
The position is effectively mine if I want it… and there's a damned good chance I'm going to say yes.
UPDATE: The gal with whom I was going to interview had a death in the family last night, so while the interview is still on, I'm going to need to do a double-interview. Apparently one of my three apparent competitors tested and interviewed well enough to be considered an actual competitor for the gig. The first will be today at lunchtime, and will allow me to take the skills test, etcetera. The second will be a meeting with the local Regional Director on Thursday. In the target company, that's effectively as high as you go until you're dealing with the Board and Board-appointed positions.
Assuming that the gent in question continues to cheerlead on my behalf (and he'd better, since he's the reason I'm applying), it means the gig isn't entirely in my pocket, but I should still have an advantage, since I'm going to be focused on company issues at large, rather than simply "I can make pie charts please give me a job." More as it comes in.
UPDATE TWO: I have blown right through Interview #1, and have had the upward-mobility confirmed — the company has an explicit hire-from-within policy, and my predecessor was offered the same opportunities I'm looking for, but for one reason or another chose not to take advantage of them. I basically went right on past the basic questions with "this is what you really need done, and this is how I'd go about looking to streamline it" type responses, which went over well. Tomorrow I'm being driven to the final interview with the Regional Director (it's nice to be recruited!)… and should have a solid impression by Friday latest.
