Change Management Senior Specialist

Northwestern Mutual•Franklin, WI

About The Position

Works as part of a team to support change management efforts, owning a portion of the change plan. Focuses on the people side of change, including efforts that involve changes to people, processes, technology and/or culture, to realize business outcomes and benefits. Creates an integrated approach and supports change management, communication, and training plans that minimize employee/field resistance and maximize engagement to drive adoption of change. Develops plans to navigate change in coordination with leaders, stakeholders, sponsors, and project teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Communication, or a related field.
Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional experience, with at least 2 years’ experience leading small to medium change management efforts and/or integrating change with project plans.
Solid understanding of how people go through change and the change process.
Experience and knowledge of change management principles and methodologies.
Familiarity with project management approaches, tools, and phases of the project lifecycle.
Ability to operate in new and ambiguous situations.
Must be a team player and able to work with and through others.
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
Excellent active listening, root cause identification, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

Applies NM change methodology and process to deliver the people side of change that is required to achieve our desired business outcomes.
Identifies potential people-related risks and anticipated points of resistance and develop plans to mitigate or address the concerns.
Works with team to develop change management plans and activities, including training, communication, and sponsorship.
Create actionable and targeted change plans using established tools and techniques.
Guide others to execute the plans to drive adoption and optimize business benefits.
Manages potential impact of changes to people, process, technology, and culture.
Identify appropriate partners to assist with managing the change.
Partners with project and business leadership to identify scope and impact of change.
Partners with sponsors, project teams, and leaders to drive effective change, manage resistance, and optimize the success of the project.
In partnership with enterprise change COE, be an active member of the change community to advance change competencies of the company.
Adopts and promotes common NM enterprise-wide change process, methodology and language.
Applies and manages measurement systems for change success, e.g., adoption, utilization, performance standards, etc.