Change Lead - Windows 11 Deployment (Contract)

Job Title: Change Lead – Windows 11 Deployment
Location: Columbus, OH
Work Model: Remote

Travel: No travel expected
Rate: $100/hour
Contract Length: 3 months (August 1 - October 31)
Extension: Possible extension depending on deployment wave timing or delays
Travel: No travel expected
Project: Windows 11 Upgrade / Deployment

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Change Lead to support an active Windows 11 Upgrade deployment for a large enterprise environment. This role is being added mid-deployment as the current Change Lead transitions into the Deployment Lead role due to project resource changes.

The majority of the change management strategy and core deliverables have already been developed. This role will primarily focus on executing the existing change plan , supporting communications and training activities, monitoring stakeholder and end-user feedback, and making targeted updates to communications, job aids, or readiness materials as needed.

There may also be a smaller change management workstream related to MDT for field employees , which may require additional assessment, planning, communications, or training support. The Change Lead will work closely with the Deployment Lead, an internal Change Analyst, the project team, and project sponsors to ensure remaining deployment waves are supported effectively and that impacted users receive clear, timely, and practical guidance.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on change management professional who can quickly step into an active project, understand the existing plan, execute with minimal ramp-up, and adjust materials or messaging based on deployment feedback, issue mitigation, or field/user readiness needs. Utilities experience is a plus.

Key Responsibilities

Change Plan Execution & Workstream Support

• Take ownership of day-to-day execution of the change management workstream for the Windows 11 Upgrade project.
• Review and understand existing change strategy, plans, stakeholder materials, training content, communications, and deployment schedules.
• Execute the established change plan across remaining deployment activities and user groups.
• Partner closely with the Deployment Lead, internal Change Analyst, project leadership, and project sponsors to align change activities with deployment timing and business readiness needs.
• Identify change risks, communication gaps, adoption barriers, and readiness concerns, and support mitigation actions.

Communications Planning & Execution

• Manage and execute the communications plan for remaining deployment waves.
• Draft, revise, and distribute communications for impacted employees, managers, business leaders, and support teams.
• Update messaging in response to user feedback, deployment issues, schedule changes, or mitigation needs.
• Ensure communications clearly explain deployment timing, user impacts, required actions, support resources, and post-deployment expectations.
• Coordinate communication approvals, timing, stakeholder alignment, and distribution.

Training, Job Aids & End-User Readiness

• Oversee remaining training and readiness activities tied to the Windows 11 deployment.
• Review and refine job aids, FAQs, quick reference guides, support instructions, and other end-user materials.
• Create or revise materials as needed based on feedback, issue trends, or field/user adoption needs.
• Support any smaller change management approach needed for MDT-related impacts to field employees.
• Partner with IT, deployment, support, and business stakeholders to ensure users are prepared for upcoming changes.

Stakeholder Engagement & Feedback Management

• Engage project stakeholders and impacted business groups to confirm readiness and identify concerns.
• Serve as a key point of contact for change-related questions, feedback, communication needs, and adoption concerns.
• Work with project sponsors and leadership to ensure messaging remains aligned with project priorities.
• Gather and synthesize feedback from users, support teams, and stakeholders to improve communications and readiness support.
• Translate technical updates into clear, business-friendly messaging for non-technical audiences.

Deployment Support & Issue Mitigation

• Align change activities with deployment waves, milestones, and user impact windows.
• Support pre-deployment, go-live, and post-deployment communications.
• Track change-related issues, questions, risks, and adoption barriers.
• Coordinate with the Deployment Lead and project team to adjust communications or support materials when issues arise.
• Provide updates to project leadership and the broader project team on communications, training readiness, stakeholder feedback, and change risks.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Execute the existing communications and training plan for the Windows 11 deployment.
• Review deployment timing and coordinate communications around upcoming waves.
• Draft, revise, and send employee, manager, and stakeholder communications.
• Update FAQs, job aids, training materials, and support documentation as needed.
• Support targeted change planning for MDT-related impacts to field employees, if required.
• Meet with the Deployment Lead, internal Change Analyst, project team, and sponsors to align on priorities and issue mitigation.
• Monitor stakeholder and user feedback and recommend communication or training updates.
• Track open change items, risks, decisions, and readiness activities.
• Provide regular status updates to project leadership and the project team.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in change management, organizational change management, communications, training, business readiness, or related project roles.
• Experience supporting technology deployment, end-user technology adoption, infrastructure, workplace technology, or enterprise IT projects.
• Strong experience executing communication plans and supporting deployment-based change activities.
• Experience creating and revising employee-facing communications, FAQs, job aids, training materials, and stakeholder updates.
• Ability to quickly step into an active project and execute against an existing change plan.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent written communication skills with the ability to translate technical information into clear, business-friendly messaging.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, deployment waves, and stakeholder needs.
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid environment with onsite presence Tuesday through Thursday in Columbus, OH.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting Windows 11, Windows 10, Microsoft 365, device refresh, desktop deployment, infrastructure, or end-user computing projects.
• Experience supporting phased deployments or large user populations.
• Experience supporting field employee, operational workforce, or distributed end-user groups.
• Familiarity with Prosci, ADKAR, or other structured change management methodologies.
• Experience partnering with IT deployment teams, service desk teams, business leaders, and end users.
• Experience in utilities, energy, or other regulated environments is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Change Plan Execution
• Communications Planning
• Training & Readiness
• End-User Adoption
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Deployment Support
• Issue Mitigation
• Job Aid Development
• Field Employee Readiness
• Business-Friendly Communication
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Windows 11 / End-User Technology

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a practical, execution-focused Change Lead who can step into an active Windows 11 deployment and quickly take ownership of communications, training, readiness, and stakeholder support. They should be comfortable working from an existing change strategy, revising materials as needed, supporting issue mitigation, and partnering closely with deployment, project, and sponsor stakeholders to ensure users are informed, prepared, and supported through the remaining deployment waves.