2024

Change Manager Job Description

As organizations undergo change initiatives, they need someone to lead and coordinate the process. That’s where they need to hire change managers. A change manager is responsible for helping a company through change. It includes helping to plan, implement and monitor changes.

Change managers are responsible for leading and coordinating organizational change initiatives. They work with all levels of management and staff to ensure that changes are implemented smoothly and effectively. Change managers need to manage the change process itself, which can be complex and challenging. They need to have a firm understanding of organizational development and change theory.

Types of Change Management Job Descriptions

You can create various change management job descriptions depending on the type of manager you want to hire. Let’s take a look at change manager job description samples, so you can get an idea of what to include in your own.

Change Manager Job Description Sample One

The change manager is responsible for the leadership and coordination of organizational change initiatives. They develop, implement, and manage the change process itself, which can be a complex and challenging task. The manager interfaces with all levels of management and staff to ensure that changes are smoothly and effectively implemented. Change managers lead change management activities in the right direction and work to ensure that changes meet the organization’s goals.

Responsibilities of a Change Manager

  • Creating change management strategies to achieve the organizational goals
  • Developing and implementing plans to manage change
  • Leading, coordinating, and managing change management activities
  • Coaching and mentoring staff through the change process
  • Monitoring and assessing the impact of change on employees
  • Providing expert advice on handling a change in an organization
  • Communicating change management plans to teammates and key stakeholders to ensure their understanding and buy-in
  • Developing training programs to help employees understand and adapt to change
  • Evaluating the success of change management initiatives

Skills and Requirements for Change Management Position

  • Processes in leading and implementing change management initiatives
  • Solid understanding of organizational development and change theory
  • Excellent communication, coaching, and mentoring skills
  • Ability to effectively deal with stakeholders
  • Good analytical and problem-solving skills to solve complex issues
  • Ability to operate changes on your own and as part of a group
  • Comprehensive knowledge of business management principles, procedures, and systems
  • A bachelor’s degree in human resources (HR), business administration, or a related field
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
  • Adeptness in using advanced tools and software, like project management software, to manage change processes
  • X+ years of experience in a change management role
  • Expertise in influencing others to support change
  • Organizing multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously
  • Ensuring that changes are accomplished on time and within budget

Operational Change Manager Job Description Sample Two

The operational change manager is responsible for leading and coordinating organizational change initiatives. They enable organizations to take proactive measures to identify and manage changes in their business processes. They focus on improving various business processes using different change management tools and techniques. The operational change manager also needs to have a firm understanding of organizational development and change theory.

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Responsibilities of a Change Manager

  • Leading and coordinating change management activities
  • Developing and implementing plans to manage change
  • Monitoring and assessing the impact of change on employees
  • Providing expert advice on handling a change in an organization
  • Evaluating the success of change management initiatives
  • Understanding of purchasing inventory, planning, organizing, and controlling
  • Developing strategic objectives to improve organizational performance
  • Administering and interpreting company policies
  • Providing leadership and support to subordinates
  • Improving the growth of the organization by analyzing financial data
  • Developing and managing department budgets
  • Training staff to use new processes and procedures

Skills and Requirements for Change Management Position

  • Proven experience in leading and implementing change management initiatives
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in business, operation management, or a related field
  • Strong understanding of change theory to effectively carry out any change in a company
  • Proficiency to interact with stakeholders at various levels
  • Good analytical and problem-solving skills to solve complex issues
  • Potential to work independently as well as with others
  • Understanding of risk mitigation tactics
  • Proficiency in communicating technical information to non-technical staff
  • Efficient leadership competencies to drive change
  • Knowledge of business management principles, procedures, and systems
  • Familiarity with change management software
  • Expertise in coordinating with cross-functional teams

Change Champion Job Description Sample

Change champions support the change management process by identifying and addressing employees’ concerns. They play a critical role in helping employees to understand and accept changes. Change champions are advocates of change and work to ensure the successful implementation of changes. They facilitate the implementation of change by collaborating with change management teams and employees. They also mitigate the risks of conflicts arising during the change process by communicating with employees and stakeholders.

Responsibilities of a Change Champion

  • Identifying and addressing the concerns of employees about changes
  • Helping employees to understand and accept changes
  • Facilitating the implementation of change
  • Communicating with employees and stakeholders about changes
  • Minimizes the chances of management-employee conflict during the change process
  • Providing support to employees during the transition to new changes within the organization
  • Developing and implementing strategies to ensure successful change implementation
  • Monitoring the progress of change initiatives
  • Evaluating the impact of changes on employees
  • Process feedback from employees to management about the effectiveness of changes
  • Assisting the identification of potential resistance to change

Skills and Requirements for Change Champions Position

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills to effectively deal with different stakeholders
  • Good problem-solving skills to manage conflicts and address employee concerns
  • Competency to work alone as well as with other teams
  • Bachelor’s degree in business management, human resources, or related areas
  • Staying optimistic and supportive to employees during times of change
  • Familiarity with the change management process
  • Proficiency in developing strategies that ensure successful change implementation
  • Building trust with employees and other stakeholders to support the change process
  • Leadership skills to motivate and encourage employees during the change process
  • Ability to manage change in different areas of the organization
  • Expertise to measure success metrics and evaluate the impact of changes

Senior Organizational Change Manager Job Description

A senior organizational change manager is responsible for leading and managing change management initiatives. Senior leaders develop and implement strategies to ensure employees’ successful adoption of changes. Senior organizational change managers work closely with other management teams to align the changes with the company’s strategy. They also work with project managers, the human resources department, and other departments to conveniently carry out all the operations. Senior managers monitor the progress of changes and make necessary adjustments. They also assess the impact of changes on employees and recommend solutions.

Responsibilities of a Senior Organizational Change Manager

  • Developing and implementing change management plans
  • Working with the change management team to ensure the alignment of changes with company strategy
  • Coordinating with other departments to successfully implement the changes
  • Monitoring the progress of change management and making adjustments as needed
  • Evaluating the impact of changes on employees
  • Providing feedback to management about the effectiveness of changes
  • Assisting in the identification of potential resistance to change
  • Creating effective strategies to minimize employee resistance to change
  • Tracking the progress of a change initiative and modifying the plan as needed

Skills and Requirements for a Senior Organizational Change Manager Position

  • Bachelor’s degree in business management, human resources, or related field
  • Minimum of 5 years experience managing changes in a corporate setting.
  • Understanding of five change management levers, including
  • Acute business acumen to better manage change
  • Strong leadership skills to manage and motivate teams during times of change
  • Expertise in change management planning and execution
  • Strong leadership skills to inspire and guide employees through the change process
  • Expertise in change management principles and practices
  • Ability to assess the impact of changes on employees and make necessary adjustments
  • Solid verbal communication skills and written communication efforts
  • Strong interpersonal skills to deal with teammates and clients
  • Good problem-solving skills to manage conflicts and employee concerns
  • Flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances

FAQs

Here are answers to most frequently asked questions regarding change management:

What skills do you need for change management?

Change management is a complicated pursuit that often specific skills and knowledge to succeed. Many people in the business world may find themselves in a change management role in their career, but many people make change management their specialty.

If you’re interested in change management, you need specific skills and knowledge to succeed in a change management career. Some of the vital skills for change management include exceptional communication skills, the ability to build consensus, manage stakeholder expectations, and a deep understanding of business processes. You also need to have a good experience of handling technology used in your organization and how you can leverage it to support change.

To effectively manage changes in your company, you need to have strong leadership skills and the ability to motivate others. Time management skills, the ability to manage stress, and a positive outlook are also crucial in this career.

What makes a good change manager?

A good change manager can positively manage change. They need to communicate well and keep everyone updated on what is happening. They also need to be able to work with different teams and people to make sure that the change is implemented smoothly.

It is important for change managers to understand the business and the people who work in it. They need to understand the company’s goals and how the change will impact them. They also need to understand the different stakeholders and their needs.

Change managers need to be able to handle stress and think on their feet. They also need to have a good understanding of the company and how it works. Comprehensive knowledge of business analysis and advanced analytical skills will be an added advantage. Knowledge of project management approaches and tools will also be beneficial.

 


If you are new to Human Resources and are looking to break into a Change Manager’s role, we recommend taking our HR Management Course, where you will learn how to build your skill set in managing change, build your human resources network, craft a great change manager resume, and create a successful job search strategy in the change management field.

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Josh Fechter
Josh Fechter is the founder of HR.University. He's a certified HR professional and has managed global teams across 5 different continents including their benefits and payroll. You can connect with him on LinkedIn here.