HR Change Manager - Transformation

Dechra; Northwich; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Dechra is seeking an experienced HR Change Manager to lead people-focused change activities for transformation programmes. You will partner with HR, business and project stakeholders to plan and deliver effective change management across the organisation.

Responsibilities include developing change strategies, assessing impacts on employees, and coordinating communications, training and governance materials to ensure successful adoption and ongoing improvement.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in change management, transformation or HR projects.
• Experience leading people change within HR or business transformation programmes.
• Strong understanding of change management methodologies and best practices.
• Experience developing change impact assessments, stakeholder plans, communications and training programmes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and relationship-building skills at all levels.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting complex information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate activities across programmes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office: PowerPoint, Excel, Teams.
• Experience with HR systems or enterprise tech implementations is desirable.
• Formal change/project/OD qualifications are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the people change and adoption activities for HR transformation programmes and organisational change initiatives.
• Develop and implement comprehensive change management strategies, plans and communications.
• Assess the impact of proposed changes on employees, teams, processes, systems and structures.
• Define change objectives, milestones, dependencies and measures of success with senior stakeholders.
• Engage with HR and business leaders to build commitment and support decisions.
• Develop clear communications, including briefings, newsletters and updates.
• Plan and coordinate training and learning activities to enable adoption of new processes.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation and engagement plans.
• Facilitate workshops and change impact assessments across the organisation.
• Ensure change activity aligns with programme delivery and governance materials.
• Monitor adoption readiness and business impacts using feedback and data.
• Support embedding and continuous improvement of new HR processes.

Skills

Change management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

HR transformation

Project coordination

PowerPoint

Excel

Teams

Training design

Risk management

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and engaging HR Change Manager to lead the people-related change activity required to support organisational transformation. This role will work closely with HR, business and project stakeholders to plan and deliver effective change programmes.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the people change and adoption activities for HR transformation programmes and organisational change initiatives.

• Develop and implement comprehensive change management strategies, plans and communication approaches.

• Assess the impact of proposed changes on employees, teams, processes, systems and organisational structures.

• Work with project teams and senior stakeholders to define change objectives, milestones, dependencies and measures of success.

• Engage with HR and business leaders to understand concerns, build commitment and support effective decision-making.

• Develop clear and engaging communications, including briefings, presentations, newsletters, FAQs and implementation updates.

• Plan and coordinate training, learning and support activities to enable successful adoption of new processes and systems.

• Identify potential risks, resistance and barriers to change, and develop appropriate mitigation and engagement plans.

• Facilitate workshops, stakeholder sessions and change impact assessments across different areas of the organisation.

• Work with project managers, HR subject matter experts and technology teams to ensure change activity is integrated with programme delivery.

• Monitor adoption, readiness and business impacts, using feedback and data to improve change implementation.

• Maintain accurate change documentation, reporting, action logs and governance materials.

• Support the embedding and continuous improvement of new HR processes, systems and ways of working after implementation.

Skills and Experience

• Significant experience in change management, transformation, organisational development or a related HR project role.

• Experience leading people change activity within HR transformation, digital transformation or business change programmes.

• Strong understanding of change management principles, methodologies and best practice.

• Experience developing change impact assessments, stakeholder engagement plans, communications and training programmes.

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence and build effective relationships at all levels.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work to deadlines and coordinate activity across complex transformation programmes.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to use data and feedback to assess change readiness and adoption.

• Experience working collaboratively with HR, technology, project management and business teams.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly PowerPoint, Excel and Teams.

• Experience with HR information systems, digital HR platforms or enterprise technology implementations is desirable.

• Formal change management, project management or organisational development qualifications are desirable.

What We Offer

• A collaborative and inclusive working environment focused on meaningful transformation.

• Opportunities to lead high-profile HR change and business transformation initiatives.

• Professional development, training and support for continued career growth.

• Competitive salary and benefits package.

If you are an experienced HR change professional with a structured approach, strong stakeholder management skills and a passion for enabling successful transformation, we would welcome your application.