Project & Change Specialist

Project & Change Specialist

This role supports the execution of key initiatives across Youth for Christ USA by planning, coordinating, and guiding projects from start to finish. The Project and Change Specialist works with teams across the organization to move initiatives forward, keep stakeholders aligned, and help people successfully adopt new systems, processes, or improvements that come out of project work.

Essential Functions

• Participate actively in team discussions, planning sessions, and problem-solving activities.
• Work closely with internal teams and cross-functional partners to ensure clear communication and coordination across projects
• Assist with the development of tools, documentation, training materials, and internal processes that support the work of the Projects Department
• Enhance the planning and execution of projects throughout the organization.
• Apply a Design Thinking mindset in daily work, integrating innovation and Christ-centered, human-centered problem-solving into planning, collaboration, and execution.

Project Management

• Lead the planning and day-to-day coordination of assigned projects and initiatives
• Develop practical project plans that outline scope, timelines, key milestones and expected outcomes
• Work with project sponsors and stakeholders to ensure expectations are clear and that projects stay aligned with organizational priorities
• Track progress, identify risks or roadblocks, and help develop solutions that keep projects moving
• Communicate project updates, challenges and next steps so stakeholders remain informed and aligned
• Support the successful completion of project deliverables and overall initiative goals
• Occasionally become familiar enough with the subject matter of each project to lead a training or develop content

Change Management

• Support the people side of change for projects and organizational initiatives
• Help assess how prepared teams are for upcoming changes and identify areas where additional support may be needed
• Support the development of communication, training and support plans and content that help individuals and teams understand and adopt changes
• Reinforce the use of established change management practices, to guide the transition process
• Work with leaders and stakeholders to reinforce adoption and help ensure new systems or processes are used as intended
• Actively participate in discussions and contribute to finding effective solutions.
• Lead assigned tasks for the Projects Department, including roadmap development, training, documentation, etc.

Spiritual Responsibilities

• Seek God's guidance and wisdom, through prayer and meditation, for the organization as a whole, as well as for specific ministry initiatives.
• Participate and lead regular times of prayer, devotion and worship as a regular aspect of your role within YFC.
• Teach and preach from the Holy Bible at YFC staff meetings, conferences, camps and events.
• Model empathy, humility and care for all people. This includes promoting equity and inclusion in words and in the practice of faith expression.
• YFC employees will have an opportunity to be commissioned or licensed as a minister of the Gospel through the established Youth for Christ process, and/or ordained by an outside body recognized by Youth for Christ USA.

YFC Cultural Attributes

• Our cultural attributes are not about competency. It is an obedience to the call of Christ on our lives. YFC believes that spiritually healthy adults foster healthy relationships with our kids. We place a heavy commitment and emphasis on developing and equipping a Christ-centered life marked by Enduring Humility, Relentless Trust, Joyful Camaraderie, Courageous Faithfulness and Kingdom Inspired Diversity.
• Our leaders are expected to be willing to demonstrate and/or possess the following:
• Ability to humbly serve and honor others even in difficult situations with prayer, consistency, transparency, and resilience. (Enduring Humility).
• Demonstrate proper reliance on God, others, and self through generous giving of time and skills, by collaboratively incorporating others' ideas, welcoming candid input, recognizing others' need for grace and extending forgiveness and empathy. (Relentless Trust).
• Prioritize others' needs for a missional outcome, characterized by joy, with active listening and problem-solving skills, while encouraging and empowering fellow believers. (Joyful Camaraderie).
• Trust God with new approaches and changes, and communicate needs and limits with emotional intelligence*, while seeking confidence and wisdom in Christ. (Courageous Faithfulness)
• Seek and foster authentic Christ-Centered relationships with people of various backgrounds and an inviting environment and empower historically marginalized groups and indigenous populations (within the local context), through active listening, inclusion, advocacy of those who are vulnerable and respect of others' experiences. (Kingdom Inspired Diversity).

Fundraising Responsibilities

All YFC employees are expected to regularly and actively participate in faithful activities that advance the stewardship functions of YFC/USA. These activities will includebut are not limited to extending invitations to fundraising events, recruiting personal circle of influence/YFC donor contacts, sending letters, handwritten notes, personal calls, and personally ministering to donor contacts.

Budget Responsibilities

A Budget Manager is responsible for aligning all financial resources to the YFC/USA strategic plan in accordance with the delegation and direction of the Division Head. The Budget Manager is responsible for coding, approval, and financial decision-making for their assigned Division, Department and/or Action Plan budget. When a budget is overfunded or underfunded, the Budget Manager is responsible for course correcting through the MCCR process.

Position Requirements

Knowledge and Skills

• Project management practices and methods (PMI familiarity preferred)
• Change management experience (PROSCI familiarity preferred)
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Problem-solving, organizational and planning skills
• Technology proficiency, including Office 365
• Financial management awareness related to project budget monitoring

Credentials Required & Preferred Education

• Bachelor's degree preferred, or 3 to 5 years of experience supporting or leading projects, organizational initiatives or change efforts
• PMP or CAPM, or similar level project management certification preferred
• PROSCI Practitioner Certification preferred or willingness to pursue certification within 12 months of hire
• A servant heart and alignment with the mission of Youth for Christ.

Physical Requirements

The ability to communicate orally with customers, vendors, management, and other co-workers is crucial. Regular use of the telephone and e-mail for communication is essential. Sitting for extended periods is common. Hearing and vision within normal ranges is essential for normal conversations, to receive ordinary information, and to prepare or inspect documents.

Activities require the ability to remain in a stationary position 50% of the time, occasionally move about inside the office to access files or office equipment, operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, handheld devices, copy machine, and computer printer.

No heavy lifting is expected, though occasional exertion of up to 10 lbs. of force may be required. Good manual dexterity is required for the use of computers, mobile devices, and other productivity technologies.

The job is performed indoors in a traditional office setting. Extended periods of sitting and extensive work at a computer and phone are normal.

Travel Requirements

1-3 times a year for required events and meetings to manage onsite logistics/support

Benefits

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Vacation time
• Sick Time
• 12 paid holidays
• Paid week off between Christmas and New Years
• Health & Welfare Benefits (Voluntary Enrollment):
• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Accident

Health and Welfare Benefits (Company Sponsored):

• YFC Contribution to Health Savings Account (HSA): $800 Single / $1,000 Family
• Must be enrolled in an eligible plan and amounts are prorated based on hire date.
• Up to 3% 403(b) match upon hire, up to 5% with

Greater Cleveland Youth For Christ