Senior Organizational Change Manager

University of Colorado•Denver, CO

1d•$101,000 - $104,000•Remote

About The Position

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Higher Education! At the System Administration office at the University of Colorado, we are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our office is committed to fostering a culture where employees find community, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission and purpose. By joining our team, you’ll have a direct impact on shaping the future of higher education. In addition to the Office of the Board of Regents, the University of Colorado’s system administration includes 19 units that provide essential services to CU’s campuses in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, as well as the Office of the President. While not a part of any one campus, we are proud to serve in the centralized office for the University system. Together, we ensure CU continues to deliver outstanding education, groundbreaking research, and valuable service to our communities. We believe in creating an environment where the unique experiences and perspectives of everyone are embraced, enriching the work we do and the strategic outcomes we pursue. If you’re passionate about making a difference, contributing to a dynamic team, and supporting a mission that matters, we encourage you to apply and be part of our journey. Learn more about CU System Administration. Position Summary: University Information Services (UIS) provides technical services and enterprise applications to the University of Colorado’s (CU) four campuses and the Office of the President. UIS is committed to excellence in customer service, technical expertise, and the development of enterprise applications responsible for supporting CU’s students, faculty, staff, human resources employees, finance employees, and others. The Senior Organizational Change Manager resides within the Project Management Office (PMO) in UIS and is typically engaged a variety of projects, including internal UIS efforts and larger efforts supporting other System departments and campuses. This role is responsible for ensuring projects and change initiatives meet objectives by applying organizational change management best practices, strategies, and deliverables. The position focuses on the people side of change, with emphasis on planning and implementing change strategies related to people, process, and technology changes. The Senior Organizational Change Manager works closely with project managers, business analysts, UIS leadership, governance groups, and other stakeholders to assess the environment, understand change impacts, and develop practical plans for successful adoption. The role builds formal change management plans, cultivates relationships across UIS, CU System, and campuses, and partners with PMO leadership to coach project managers in applying Lean OCM practices to smaller or less complex projects. The Senior Organizational Change Manager is a servant leader who supports and partners with project teams to improve readiness, engagement, and adoption outcomes. This position reports to the Assistant Director, Project & Change Management, within University Information Services and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified System.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience; professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis
Three (3) years of experience in an organizational change management role, including project management experience and experience developing communication and change strategies for change initiatives
Formal certification in an industry-standard change management methodology, such as Prosci, Kotter, or the Association of Change Management Professionals Standard for Change Management
Knowledge of organizational change management processes, methodologies, and standard practices
Knowledge of project management processes and lifecycles, preferably including familiarity with PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)
Knowledge of Agile processes and the ability to scale OCM approaches to match project size, risk, and complexity
Ability to use generative artificial intelligence tools on a regular basis to support analysis, communication, and productivity
Strong presentation, facilitation, and communication skills for audiences ranging from technical teams to leadership
Organizational skills to set and meet goals, manage time commitments, create schedules, coordinate meetings, and make sound decisions
Interpersonal and customer service skills to actively listen, address customer needs, defuse tense situations, and promote teamwork
Analytical and problem-solving skills to examine and summarize data and trends, resolve issues, and produce results
Strong oral, written, and listening communication skills to interpret information accurately and convey concepts clearly
Digital literacy, including use of Microsoft Office programs and the ability to learn and experiment with new software and systems
Ability to work in ambiguous situations, remain resilient, and persevere through complexity and change
Ability to translate and explain technical concepts and vocabulary in common terms for non-technical audiences
Ability to work independently with minimal direction and reliable professional judgment, as well as collaboratively with teams
Ability to navigate complex political environments and work with people of varying skills, knowledge, and perspectives

Nice To Haves

Four (4) years of experience in an organizational change management role
Advanced degree in business management, organizational development, or a related field
Prior experience working with or in government or an institution of higher education
Experience supporting projects related to the implementation and adoption of artificial intelligence
Organizational change management experience implementing ERP solutions or other information technology projects

Responsibilities

Build and apply structured change management methodologies and related activities
Develop the business case for change and assess impacts of proposed changes
Complete change management assessments and craft practical change management strategies
Integrate change management activities, milestones, and deliverables into project plans
Define and measure success metrics (when relevant) to ensure changes are welcomed, adopted, and sustained
Use diplomacy and consensus-building to foster communication and manage relationships across UIS teams, and sometimes also with other System or campus departments
Engage and support leaders in their role as change sponsors by providing clear actions, talking points, and guidance
Support managers and supervisors in understanding how to manage change and serve as effective sponsors
Support discussions with leaders to gather feedback and enable decisions
Craft actionable resources for communications, training, sponsorship, and key partner management
Evaluate readiness across impacted communities and identify actions needed to support adoption
Track and report change issues throughout the course of an initiative
Translate technical concepts and vocabulary into common terms for non-technical audiences
Partner with the project management team and PMO leadership to implement Lean OCM practices among project managers
Support and coach project managers on basic change management techniques and deliverables for smaller or less complex projects
Support project teams in planning for change impacts and managing adoption needs across project lifecycles
Support the PMO in scaling OCM approaches to match the size, risk, and complexity of each effort

Benefits

No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance.
Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.
Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10%25 of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.
Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts.
Ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes a dedicated week off for winter break.
6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of parenthood.
A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.
Free RTD EcoPass and free onsite parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office.
Many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.
Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.