Change Management Specialist at Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association in Denver, Colorado

Job Description:

Unleash your potential by joining our team as a Change Management Specialist. At PERA, you can support those who have supported you whether it’s a favorite teacher, the snowplow driver that cleared winter roads or the state trooper dedicated to our public safety. Chances are these people who make a difference are PERA members. At PERA, we’re dedicated to serving Colorado’s public servants and looking for mission-driven individuals to join the team.

JOB SUMMARY

The Change Management Specialist plans, develops and implements change management strategies and plans to support and promote organizational, technology and cultural initiatives that involve significant business process change to minimize impacts to employees while maximizing sustainable adoption and increase utilization of the projects and initiatives that enhance ROI, achieve favorable results and measurable outcomes.

This role focuses on the people side of change at multiple levels: enterprise, division, and individual. This role completes detailed stakeholder identification and end user needs assessments to design, develop, and deliver robust change management plans focused on audience-appropriate communication mechanisms and tactics to address end user needs and expected impacts.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

The selected candidate will have the opportunity to directly influence the success of our organization through myriad implementation of initiatives. The individual must have demonstrated ability to work with individuals in all levels of the organization, possess exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, and be able to manage change strategies for enterprise-level software/technology initiatives. The ability to maintain confidential information is a must.

PURPOSE AND SCOPE 

Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications, the Change Management Specialist will be part of the Office of Change Management (OCM), which develops and implements programs and initiatives in the areas of change management, team development and organizational development. The individual will partner with project managers, executives, division heads and functional area managers to implement change.

JOB EXPECTATIONS
The Change Management Specialist builds and implements change management strategies and plans to improve employee adoption and usage and minimize resistance. The individual drives efforts to gather requirements and recommend solutions for complex change management & communication needs for impacted staff and business end user audiences.

This position works in partnership with the project lead and sponsor to ensure change management needs are scoped properly at the beginning of the project lifecycle and ensure key change deliverables, risks and budgets are incorporated into project plans. The specialist partners with the Communications Division to ensure key messages and milestones are distributed to the organization to facilitate a culture of change and transparency.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Support Project Managers to design, develop, and deliver end-to-end change management, team development & organizational development solutions




• Apply a structured approach to transition individuals and teams from the current state to the desired state to achieve improved and sustainable mission results




• Support management of multiple assigned change processes, including software platform transition and process improvement initiatives




• Support change management capacity by coaching and developing a network of change liaisons




• Create action plans for implementing the change activities identified in the change management strategy. Propose resources required to support each action plan




• Conduct a change readiness assessment as a baseline current state and use data to inform the change management strategy and identify potential areas of resistance




• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to measure the success of change initiatives. This includes tracking employee adoption rates, utilization improvements, and other relevant data to assess the impact of implemented changes and make data-driven adjustments as needed




• Plan and facilitate executive sponsorship plans by ensuring that key executives are actively engaged in supporting and championing change initiatives. Collaborate with senior leaders to articulate the vision, benefits, and expected outcomes of the change to enhance organizational buy-in




• Create, maintain and report to project leadership the status of change management efforts and results, on a regular basis




• Apply industry best practices in developing all change management strategies




• Plan and lead meetings with project teams to document requirements, explore potential solutions, and present iteratively and on completion of change activities as needed

• Manage and maintain a Change Management Framework and Toolkit, including practical examples and use cases for using the framework/toolkit. Continuously improve based on best practices




• Support organizational learning activities as SME in change methodology and best practices




• Apply a structured approach to transition individuals and teams from the current state to the desired state to achieve improved and sustainable mission results

ORGANIZATION EXPECTATIONS

Business Acumen – Demonstrates understanding of organizational management to understand processes and potential impacts of change throughout the company.

• Knowledge of change management tools and best practices




• Knowledge of large-scale system change/implementation




• Knowledge of communications best practices




• Knowledge of the interactions between support divisions, customer facing divisions and revenue generating divisions




• Able to translate executive vision/expectations to frontline employees

Planning – Accurately scopes change impacts by audience. Independently or in collaboration, identifies clear goals, objectives, and outcomes related to OCM aspects of a project. Breaks down OCM work into process steps; contributes these into the Project Schedules and assignments, and anticipates and adjusts for barriers and roadblocks. Measures performance against goals and evaluates results.

Facilitating Others – Effectively organizes, coordinates and leads small groups and/or change aspects of project work to accomplish specific goals. Manages change by providing the needed structure and environment for interactions to be effective. Is an effective communications link and reliable source of information for others.

Agility – Model change agility as a proactive learner, seeks opportunities to stretch skills and gain additional exposure and experience, modeling change readiness, and generally leading change. Exceptional attention to detail and follow-through with ability to be flexible.

• Ability to work collaboratively.

  • Partners with Project Managers

  
  

  • Partners with Senior Leaders and Division heads

  
  

  • Works in matrixed teams to implement change

  
  

  • Collaborative and team-oriented attitude

• Models Core Values

  • Champion of PERA Mission and Purpose

  
  

  • Maintains positive, can-do approach to evolving programs and initiatives

  
  

  • Comfortable with ambiguity and a propensity for action

  
  

  • Fosters a culture of improvement, efficiency and innovative thinking

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Business Administration, Organizational Development or a related field or equivalent experience




• Project implementation / change management:

  • 4+ years of project implementation and/or change management

    • • Familiarity with ADKAR

      
      

      • Experience conducting readiness assessments

      
      

      • Familiarity with enterprise-level change




• Experience conducting readiness assessments, stakeholder assessments, and change impact analyses




• Demonstrated proficiency in developing visual representations of data




• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in change management or business-related field




• Change management certification or designation




• Prosci certification a plus

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Standard office environment with regular telephone communication, computer operation, and other office productivity machinery, such as a copy and printer machine




• Occasional travel by car or plane as necessary for business purposes

HYBRID WORK OPTION

Opportunity to work from home up to two days per week. Eligibility dependent upon factors detailed in PERA's Work from Home Policy.

JOB DESCRIPTION DISCLAIMER:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of an employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or new ones may be assigned with or without notice.

Unfortunately, at this time, we cannot consider candidates that require sponsorship (now or in the future), or are located outside of the US.

All Colorado PERA employees are subject to PERA’s Ethics Policy and some employees are subject to the Personal Trading Policy. These policies include restrictions on outside business activities and employment and have certain requirements on personal trading.  You may request copies of these policies from PERA’s talent acquisition team and any questions can be answered by PERA’s Investment Administration team.

INTERESTED CANDIDATES
Complete the employment application online at https://www.copera.org/careers. Please have copies of your resume and cover letter available to upload.

As part of the application process we would like you to provide us with 1 to 2 change management work samples such as one change management plan, from previous work (Client names may be redacted) or be a sample of an employee communication for a change initiative. Samples should be no more than 3 pages. Please send the requested work products directly to asailer@copera.org.

ABOUT COLORADO PERA

Looking for a career where you can make a difference? Colorado PERA offers benefit services to public employees across Colorado, including teachers, state troopers, snowplow drivers, correctional officers and many others who provide valuable services. As Colorado’s largest pension plan, we serve and educate over 600,000 members who are former and current public employees. 

At PERA you will earn more than a paycheck. PERA is a culture where you can grow your potential and work in an inclusive environment, where diverse perspectives are valued. We hire exceptional employees and recognize that our people are our best asset. Not only do we make sound investments for our members, PERA invests in our employees’ growth through training and leadership opportunities.

To promote wellbeing, we offer hybrid or flexible working options for most roles and a total rewards and benefit program including health, dental and vision coverage - eligibility starts the first day of the month following the date of hire for most plans; generous paid time off and volunteer hours; pension and retirement plans, including PERA’s defined benefit plan, 457 defined contribution plan, and 401(k) employer match, as applicable; tuition assistance; free, convenient on-site parking or RTD subsidy; free on-site fitness center to stay active; employee assistance program; training, leadership and mentoring programs and more. PERA is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness qualifying employer.

To learn more about life at PERA, watch this video or visit www.copera.org/careers.

Position Title: Change Management Specialist
Division: Communications
Reports to: Change Management Manager
Job Status: Full Time / Exempt
Salary:  $81,000.00 - $101,000.00 annually, Commensurate with experience
Posting Dates: 12/20/2024 – 1/05/2025

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