Change Management Lead

Overview

Oxford Policy Management is currently seeking a Change Management Lead on a 12-18 month fixed-term basis. The position will be located in Oxford, with hybrid working available.

We are an international development consultancy working to improve lives through sustainable policy change in low- and middle-income countries. Our vision is for fair public policy that benefits both people and the planet.

Through our global network of offices, we work in partnership with national stakeholders and decision makers to research, design, implement and evaluate impactful public policy. We draw on our local and international sector experts to provide the very best evidence-based support. We deliver projects with expert knowledge and experience, and can be relied upon for excellence in all aspects of project delivery. We work collaboratively, with ambition, to help deliver impactful public policy that will bring about lasting change.

Position Summary

OPM has been on an exciting trajectory of change and growth since our inception in 1979, as a team of four people studying agricultural and food security issues in Africa at Oxford University. In the 1990s, we spun out of the university to establish ourselves as a limited company. We have since become a global business with 14 offices located in Africa, Asia. Europe and the US and c.450 colleagues working across multiple thematic areas of the full policy cycle to support positive impact in low-and-middle income countries.

We have grown at a significant pace, necessitating the implementation of major changes to processes, systems and infrastructure, to support the increased scale of the business. Most recently, this has included the implementation of new ERP, CRM, HR, and project management systems, as well as people and culture initiatives, to enable the ability of our diverse and global business to work with agility in serving our shared purpose.

The Change Management Lead acts as our focal point for the successful adoption of new systems, and delivery of improved ways of working. Working with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, in particular including the Senior Management Team (SMT), they ensure delivery of seamless strategic and operational transitions, supporting staff to embrace new processes and tools.

Building and leading a network of Change Champions, the Change Management Lead will create tailored change maps to ensure effective communication, buy-in and adoption of organisational change.

As we work towards a future operating model, the position is critical in ensuring change is effectively implemented, positively communicated, and sustained; that risks to successful change management are identified and mitigated, and that colleagues feel motivated and empowered by the change journey.

As Change Management Lead at OPM you will:

• Work with the SMT to prioritise new and emerging business improvement opportunities, feeding into budgeting and objective setting for the business and maintaining appropriate continuity.
• Design and implement a change management strategy with work streams that support business transformation initiatives.
• Identify, analyse, and engage key stakeholders throughout the change process. Build strong relationships to ensure successful buy-in and collaboration.
• Collaborate and consult with key stakeholders and cross-functional teams to deliver change across the business.
• Develop detailed project plans, monitor progress, and ensure alignment with overall business goals. Support business users through effective change management processes.
• Plan and support the engagement of a Change Network, including recruiting, onboarding, and managing Change Champions and Super Users across the organisation to drive adoption; equipping OPM colleagues with the necessary skills and knowledge to adapt to changes.
• Develop and execute communication plans that clearly articulate the vision, objectives, and benefits of change initiatives to all stakeholders.
• Own accountability for clear and consistent communication, partnering with the communications team to create compelling messaging that is accessible to a diverse range of audiences.
• Establish metrics and conduct change impact assessments to identify the effects of change on various departments and individuals.
• Lead on the continuous monitoring and evaluation of change programmes, right-fitting plans to achieve success where risks or issues are identified.
• Lead review and communication of benefits realisation, post-adoption of change programmes.
• Design and embed a strategic plan for the business that enhances our change management approach and methodology.

Key Qualifications / Experience / Skills / Behaviours

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, or equivalent professional experience.
• At least 7 years' progressively responsible experience in the field of change management, including at least 2 years' experience in the position of Change Manager or Change Lead.
• Significant understanding and experience of change management methodology, supported by relevant certification (e.g. Prosci, APMG).
• Experience in managing project boards/steering committees.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, including C-level stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrable ability to tailor change mangement/project management methodologies and levels of governance to various sizes and levels of complexity.
• Demonstrable experience of project managing system implementation, process change, and of general project management principles and practices.
• Proven experience of delivering business systems implementation and change projects through effective engagement within the context of a global, matrixed organisational structure.
• Track-record in the delivery of change impact assessments, action plans, change readiness assessments, and benefits analysis.
• Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite particularly Project, Excel and Word.
• Versatility, with an ability to 'wear many different hats'within an organisation to support delivery.
• Instinctive understanding of how to adapt behaviour and culture change programmes in support of systems change initiatives.
• Demonstrated interest in remaining current with new trends, approaches and shifts in the field of change management.
• Effective and persuasive communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence a diverse range of audiences.
• Genuine interest in contributing to OPM's mission to create positive social impact.

Our Offer

• We enable colleagues' capacity to grow professionally through enhanced learning resources, opportunities to work cross functionally, and space to engage with a range of internal and external industry events.
• Our non-hierarchical culture values support, collaboration, intellectual curiosity, and a rich diversity of perspectives.
• We provide an exceptionally generous annual leave entitlement and a hybrid working model to encourage and enable healthy work/life balance.
• Wellbeing resources including a global Employee Assistance Programme and access to the UnMind app.
• Competitive salary and contributory pension scheme.

We are strengthened by the diversity of colleagues across our global business and are committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace for all.

Our recruitment practices reflect our ambition to make the international development sector more inclusive and firm belief that our work delivers the best outcomes when we actively include a diversity of perspectives and experiences.

Application

If you share our vision for fair public policy that benefits both people and planet, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your application through our careers' site by the closing date. We review and interview applicants on a rolling basis and encourage you to apply by way of CV via our careers site at the earliest.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this role and candidates must have a pre-existing right to work in the UK for their application to be considered.

Oxford Policy Management is committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion at every level of the business. Should you require adjustments to make the application process more accessible please inform us through completing this form or scan the QR code below.