Organizational Change Leader (WMS2)

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking a collaborative, forward-thinking, and results-driven leader to serve as an Organizational Change Leader. The ideal candidate is an expert communicator and strategic problem-solver—someone who can navigate complex transitions with empathy, bring structure to ambiguity, and build trust across all levels of the agency. They excel at facilitating cross-functional groups, rapidly synthesizing new information, and coaching leaders through evolving operational landscapes. Passionate about the human side of change, they are committed to equity, continuous improvement, and empowering staff to adopt new business processes, systems, and job roles successfully. As an Organizational Change Leader, you will ensure our critical agency priorities and projects deliver real value and measurable outcomes. Your primary focus is the people side of change—helping teams successfully navigate shifts in technology, business processes, and organizational structures while minimizing disruption. Operating within the Project & Portfolio Management Office (PPMO), you will report directly to the Agency Portfolio Administrator who oversees the office and you will serve as a strategic member of the PPMO Leadership Team. This role requires regular in-person participation for portfolio steering meetings and PPMO Leadership Team sessions. Your work directly impacts ESD’s mission to build economic resilience through inclusive workforce solutions. The PPMO serves as a center of excellence for strategic planning, portfolio and project governance, change management, and continuous improvement across the agency. In this role, you will partner directly with the Executive Leadership Team, divisional supervisors and managers, and external stakeholders to prepare, equip, and guide our people through major transitions. As a highly influential internal expert, trainer, and mentor, you will shape outcomes of our strategic plan, oversee the change strategies that tie directly to ESD’s overarching goals, and develop change strategies that create a lasting impact. This position is ideal for a self-directed leader who enjoys coaching others, applying structured change methodologies, and championing the real-world benefits of successful project delivery.

Requirements

Option 1: Nine (9) years of required experience listed below.
Option 2: Associate’s degree in public administration, business, human resources, organizational development, applied behavioral sciences or related field. AND Seven (7) years of required experience listed below.
Option 3: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, human resources, organizational development, applied behavioral sciences or related field. AND Five (5) years of required experience listed below.
OR Equivalent education/experience.
Required experience includes at minimum the following (experience may be gained concurrently):
Five (5) years facilitating diverse work groups and teams in complex projects
Five (5) years working with senior managers on OD interventions
Five (5) years in large, multi-functional, multi-site organizations
Two or more (2+) years as a change manager plus experience in Lean, HCD, Six Sigma, or problem solving.
Demonstrated ability to lead change initiatives using structured methodologies such as ADKAR, Kotter, or comparable frameworks.
Familiarity with ADKAR, MBTI, Speed of Trust, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, Human-Centered Design
Competencies: Independent facilitation of cross-functional groups
High-output creativity under tight deadlines
Rapid synthesis of new information
Flexibility, adaptability, and self-direction
Ability to serve as internal expert, trainer, coach, and mentor
Required equity competencies: The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and experience with multiple change methodologies; a solid understanding of how people go through a change and the change process
Educational coursework in organizational development, change management, performance management, and business administration
Experience and knowledge of change management principles, methodologies and tools
Familiarity with project management approaches, tools and phases of the project lifecycle
Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
Ability to clearly articulate messages to a variety of audiences
Ability to influence others and move toward a common vision or goal
Flexible and adaptable; able to work in ambiguous situations
Acute business acumen and understanding of organizational issues and challenges

Responsibilities

Develop and execute comprehensive OCM plans including impact analyses, change readiness assessments, and risk mitigation strategies for assigned portfolios and projects.
Create actionable deliverables for the five core change levers: communications plans, sponsor roadmaps, coaching plans, training plans, and resistance management plans.
Provide expert-level consultation and coaching to agency leadership, steering committees, portfolio meetings, project team meetings and managers to help them fulfill their roles as effective change sponsors.
Conduct root-cause analysis in high-resistance areas, developing and implementing targeted corrective action strategies to ensure successful adoption that include process mapping and individualization related to change.
Establish and apply structured OCM tools and methodologies to assist project teams and staff in effectively adopting new initiatives.
Embed comprehensive OCM strategies into active project plans, providing regular status updates, risk assessments, and mitigation tactics to project teams.
Contribute to the management of the Enterprise portfolio by monitoring, auditing, and maintaining an accurate inventory of the overall change capacity and organizational readiness.
Attend PPMO Leadership meetings in person along with monthly steering committee meetings.