Change Management Consultant

Summary

Leads small to medium change management efforts. Focuses on the people side of change and influencing behavior, including efforts that involve changes to people, processes, technology and/or culture, to realize business outcomes and benefits. Creates an integrated approach and implements change management, communication, and training plans that minimize employee/field resistance and maximize engagement to drive adoption of change. Collaborates with leaders, stakeholders, sponsors, and project teams to develop overall plans for navigating change, identifying the scope and impact of change.

What You'll Do

• Applies NM change methodology and process to deliver the people side of change that is required to achieve our desired business outcomes.
• Identify potential people-related risks and anticipated points of resistance and develop and recommend specific plans to mitigate or address the concerns.
• Develop change management plans and activities, including training, communication, and sponsorship.  Design and implement actionable and targeted change plans to meet deliverables and achieve stated objectives, using established tools and techniques. Guide others to execute the plans, to drive adoption and optimize business benefits.
• Manage potential impact of changes to people, process, technology, organization, and culture.
• Partner with project and business leadership to identify scope and impact of change.
• Identify and escalate change plan gaps or deficiencies within projects or business group and provide updates to leaders as needed.
• Educate, influence, align, and coach sponsors, leaders, and project teams to drive effective change, manage resistance, and optimize the success of the project.
• In partnership with the enterprise change COE, be an active member of the change practitioner network to share and advance change competencies of the company.
• Adopt and promote common NM enterprise-wide change process, methodology and language.
• Create and oversee measurement systems for change success, e.g., adoption, utilization, performance standards, etc.

What You'll Bring to the Role

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Human Resources, Communication, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience.
• In-depth understanding of how people go through change and the change process.
• Experience and knowledge of change management principles and methodologies.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills to influence others and ability to articulate vision, strategy and solutions that best meet business objectives.
• Familiarity with project management approaches, tools, and phases of the project lifecycle.
• Entrepreneurial mindset that supports the ability to lead in new and ambiguous situations.
• Ability to build relationships and effectively execute in a collaborative and matrixed environment.
• Excellent active listening, root cause identification, and interpersonal skills.
• Change management experience supporting an operational business partner preferred.

Skills You Have

• Change Adaptability (NM) - Becomes adaptable in response to continual changes; shows an openness to new ways of working, new methods, work-in-progress improvements and changes and seamlessly navigates the changing business environment and adjusts behavior as appropriate to the situation.
• Change Implementation (NM) - Develops and implements change management plan to drive adoption, support organizational transformation, and / or increase leadership awareness.
• Change Management (NM) - Acts as an advocate for change as well as identifying gaps/issues that should be addressed to deliver optimal client/field experiences. Leads change management, when driving technology or process improvements, applying relevant change acceleration, risk mitigation, and stakeholder management methodologies and best practices. Analyzes business trends and current state to develop a case for change that aligns with business strategy. Implements plans and strategies to manage organizational and behavioral changes by aligning leaders and engaging impacted stakeholders.
• Consulting (NM) - Connects with stakeholders to understand and gain specific information to help resolve customer problems in a given domain. Communicates effectively intent to customers, solicits customer requirements, utilizes domain knowledge and collaborates with the right stakeholders.
• Emotional Intelligence (NM) - Includes self-awareness and self-management, empathy towards stakeholders (internal and external) via active listening. Builds trusting relationships and establishes credibility with peers, mangers and stakeholders to influence optimal outcomes for employees and clients.
• Interpersonal Savvy (NM) - Relates well to all kinds of people inside and outside of the organization. Builds appropriate rapport, constructive and effective relationships. Uses diplomacy and tact and diffuses high-tension situations comfortably.
• Stakeholder Relationship (NM) - Organizes, influences, monitors, and improves relationships with key stakeholders; systematically identifies stakeholders and analyzes their needs and expectations to support in planning and decision making while implementing various tasks to engage with them.

#LI-Hybrid

Compensation Range:

Pay Range - Start:

$89,360.00

Pay Range - End:

$134,040.00

Geographic Specific Pay Structure:

Structure 110:

$98,320.00 USD - $147,480.00 USD

Structure 115:

$102,800.00 USD - $154,200.00 USD

We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

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Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.