Change Management Consultant

Description

The change management lead (CML) plays a key role in ensuring projects (change initiatives) meet objectives by increasing employee adoption and usage. This person will focus on the people side of change, including changes to business processes, systems and technology, job roles and organization structures. The primary responsibility will be creating and implementing change management strategies and plans that maximize employee adoption while minimizing resistance to the change and disruption to business operations. The CML will work to drive faster adoption, higher ultimate utilization of and proficiency with the changes that impact employees. These improvements will increase benefit realization, value creation, ROI and the achievement of results and outcomes. This person will have to work through many others in the organization to succeed and may act as a coach to help various stakeholders fulfill the role of change sponsor. The CML may also provide direct support and coaching to all levels of managers and supervisors as they help their direct reports through transitions. The CML will also support project teams in integrating change management activities into their project plans. This role is specific to the clients' specifications Roles and responsibilities of the Change Management Lead Lead change management activities for large scale change initiatives Apply a structured change management process and tools to create change management strategy and plans Develop change management strategy and gain appropriate buyin and signoff Lead the design, development, delivery and management of stakeholder management plans, communication plans, resistance management plans, engagement plans Lead design, development, delivery and management of other change efforts as required based on project including job role mapping, change impacts, training strategy, and executive engagement Conduct change assessments as required to define and document change impacts Develop, analyze, and report on change readiness assessments Identify and document key stakeholders, conduct regular assessment, and report out of stakeholder status by stakeholder groups Provide input and support for the design and delivery of training programs Develop and manage risk mitigation tactics Consult and coach project teams Develop and manage activities to engage senior leaders Coach managers and supervisors Establish and coordinate change champion networks as required Coordinate efforts with other change management resources as required Partner with Corporate Communications, HR, Workforce Readiness, and other enterprise organizations as required Work with PMO to integrate change management activities into project plan as required Track and report change management issues and risks Define and measure project specific change management success metrics and monitor change progress Active participation in AEP's Change Management Community of Practice Skills and qualifications A solid understanding of how people go through a change and the change process Experience and knowledge of change management principles, methodologies and tools Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal Excellent active listening skills Ability to clearly articulate messages to a variety of audiences Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships Ability to influence others and move toward a common vision or goal Flexible and adaptable; able to work in ambiguous situations Resilient and tenacious with a propensity to persevere Forward looking with a holistic approach Organized with a natural inclination for planning strategy and tactics Problem solving and root cause identification skills Able to work effectively at all levels in an organization Must be a team player and able to work collaboratively with and through others Acute business acumen and understanding of organizational issues and challenges Familiarity with project management approaches, tools and phases of the project lifecycle Education and Experience Experience as change management lead on multiple largescale organizational change efforts required Bachelor's Degree and 5+ years of change management experience Associate's Degree and 8+ years of change management experience Advanced degree a plus Change management certification or designation required (i.e. Prosci, ACMP)