Change Management Specialist

Change Management Specialist

Under the general supervision of the Manager for Communication and Training, and in consultation with the Information Technology Solutions (ITS) leadership team, this position will assist in administering organizational change management (OCM) efforts in support of campus technology initiatives. Primary responsibilities include applying change management methodology and best practices to support the successful adoption of new and evolving technology systems across campus. The position will build and maintain relationships with campus stakeholders, and will help ensure change initiatives are effective by understanding the needs of each affected campus audience and tailoring engagement, communication, and training approaches accordingly. The position will also advise and support project sponsors and people managers in effectively championing change within their respective areas. The position will contribute to activities that include stakeholder and change impact analysis, change readiness assessment, change management plan development and implementation, communication and training material development, adoption tracking, and other tasks required to achieve successful, sustained adoption of technology change across the university. As part of this work, the Change Management Specialist will work closely with the Communication Specialist, Visual Communication Specialist, Technical Training Lead, and Documentation Coordinator to develop and implement robust communication and training plans, as well as perform other tasks that help ITS achieve its strategic plan. This position is classified as predominantly remote with occasional visits to campus as needed. Working hours will be based on Pacific Standard Time (PST).

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's degree in related area and/or equivalent experience/training. Required

Experience Requirements

Minimum of 4-7 years of related experience. Required

Experience using Google Workspace products (i.e., Gmail, Drive, Docs, Slides, Sheets, Forms, etc.). Preferred

Experience working in higher education and/or information technology. Preferred

Certification Requirements

Prosci Certified Change Practitioner and/or Certified Change Management Professional (ACMP). Preferred

Special Conditions

Occasional travel for university related business meetings, conferences and/or professional development. Required

Travel Outside of Normal Business Hours. Required

Background Check. Required

Exercise the utmost discretion in managing sensitive information learned in the course of performing their duties. Sensitive information includes but is not limited to employee and student records, health and patient records, financial data, strategic plans, proprietary information, and any other sensitive or non-public information learned during the course and scope of employment. Understands that sensitive information should be shared on a limited basis and actively takes steps to limit access to sensitive information to individuals who have legitimate business need to know. Ensure that sensitive information is properly safeguarded. Follow all organizational policies and laws on data protection and privacy. This includes secure handling of physical and digital records and proper usage of IT systems to prevent data leaks. The unauthorized or improper disclosure of confidential work-related information obtained from any source on any work-related matter is a violation of these expectations.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge, skills, and ability to advise and consult with management and change sponsors to ensure delivery of the desired message to target and/or broad audiences, and to support sponsors in effectively fulfilling their role in leading change.

Knowledge of institutional protocols and channels for communication internally and externally.

Solid written, verbal, interpersonal communication, active listening, and political acumen skills, including the proven ability to build trust and influence stakeholders through periods of change.

Knowledge and understanding of communication production tools and applications including communication and collaboration platforms, design software, video production software, web content management systems, and digital/social media platforms sufficient to personally produce communications and knowledge materials (or to effectively direct staff who do), ensuring outputs are polished, accessible, and fit for their intended channel and audience.

Knowledge of all aspects of communications and change management, including strategic planning for various media and stakeholder engagement channels, and the most effective approaches for supporting adoption of change.

Solid skills and ability to create, develop, and implement comprehensive long- and short-term change management and communications plans, including the ability to apply a structured change management methodology to sequence stakeholder engagement, communication, and training.

Knowledge of the organization, its achievements, mission, vision, goals, policies, practices, infrastructure, and a strong knowledge of current affairs, and issues in higher education and/or information technology.

Knowledge, skills, and ability to conduct stakeholder analysis and change impact assessments to identify affected groups, likely resistance, and readiness gaps, and develop plans to address them.

Knowledge, skills, and ability to help design and/or deliver training and instructional content that builds stakeholders' knowledge and ability to adopt new systems, processes, and/or tools.

Knowledge, skills, and ability to track and interpret adoption and utilization data or stakeholder feedback to measure change effectiveness and recommend course corrections.

Demonstrated ability to influence others and build and sustain productive working relationships with stakeholders across an organization, including those outside one's immediate reporting line.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to assess a situation, identify relevant factors, and recommend a course of action within established practices.

Ability to translate technical or complex information into clear, plain-language content for non-technical audiences.

Ability to work both independently and collaboratively, exercising sound judgment within defined guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge of Prosci ADKAR change management methodology.

Familiarity with UC policies related to communications, accessibility (WCAG), and records retention.

In the heart of Inland Southern California, UC Riverside is located on nearly 1,200 acres near Box Springs Mountain in Southern California; the park-like campus provides convenient access to the vibrant and growing Inland region. The campus is a living laboratory for the exploration of issues critical to growing communities' air, water, energy, transportation, politics, the arts, history, and culture. UCR gives every student, faculty and staff member the resources to explore, engage, imagine and excel.

UC Riverside is recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse research universities in the country boasting several key rankings of which we are extremely proud.

• UC Riverside is proud to be ranked No. 12 among all U.S. universities, according to Money Magazine's 2020 rankings, and among the top 1 percent of universities worldwide, according to the 2019-20 Center for World University rankings.
• UC Riverside is the top university in the United States for social mobility. - U.S. News 2020
• UCR is a member of the University Innovation Alliance, the leading national coalition of public research universities committed to improving student success for low-income, first-generation, and students of color.
• Among top-tier universities, UC Riverside ranks No. 2 in financial aid. - Business Insider 2019
• Ranked No. 2 in the world for research, UCR's Department of Entomology maintains one of the largest collections of insect specimens the nation. - Center for World University Rankings
• UCR's distinguished faculty boasts 2 Nobel Laureates, and 13 members of the National Academies of Science and Medicine.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under state or federal law. It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.

For information about our generous employee benefits package, visit: Employee Benefits Overview

General Information

Job Title: COMM SPEC 3 CM

Job Code: 005371

Grade: 100

Department Head: Rebecca Hutchins

Supervisor: Alexandra Chrystal

Department Custom Scope

Under the general supervision of the Manager for Communication and Training, and in consultation with the Information Technology Solutions (ITS) leadership team, this position will assist in administering organizational change management (OCM) efforts in support of campus technology initiatives. Primary responsibilities include applying change management methodology and best practices to support the successful adoption of new and evolving technology systems across campus. The position will build and maintain relationships with campus stakeholders, and will help ensure change initiatives are effective by understanding the needs of each affected campus audience and tailoring engagement, communication, and training approaches accordingly. The position will also advise and support project sponsors and people managers in effectively championing change within their respective areas. The position will contribute to activities that include stakeholder and change impact analysis, change readiness assessment, change management plan development and implementation, communication and training material development, adoption tracking, and other tasks required to