Change Manager

Damen Shipyards Group; Gorinchem; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

At least 40 days of annual leave

Pension allowance

Continuous professional development through Damen Academy

Dynamic international working environment

Job summary

Damen Shipyards Group is seeking a Change Manager to lead and implement change initiatives across the organization. The successful candidate will focus on the people side of change to ensure minimal disruption while maximizing stakeholder benefits.

Required qualifications include a Bachelor or Master level education, at least 3-5 years of relevant experience, and knowledge of Change Management theories. This role operates within an international environment dedicated to innovation and continuous development.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of experience in Change Management or business consultancy roles.
• Knowledge of Change Management theories and practices, preferably PROSCI.
• Fluent in English; Dutch is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead and implement change initiatives across the organization.
• Create and execute change management strategies and plans.
• Drive organizational change to achieve strategic goals through effective change management.

Skills

Change Management

Project Management

Agile Delivery

Communication

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor or Master level education

Job description

At Damen, you will join an international environment focused on quality, innovation, continuous learning, and development.

About us

Damen is committed to shaping the maritime world of tomorrow as a sustainable and connected maritime solutions provider. The company combines shipbuilding expertise with digital technology and standardized shipbuilding to ensure vessels are well-maintained throughout their lifecycle.

The role

As Change Manager you will play an essential role in leading and implementing change initiatives across the organization. You will focus on the people side of change, enabling successful and sustainable change by minimizing disruption and maximizing benefits for stakeholders.

Key activities include creating and executing change management strategies and plans. You will act as the competence expert who facilitates, coaches, and guides stakeholders and teams through successful change journeys.

Initial assignments include:

• Further implementation of PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) systems and support related organizational transformations.
• Working closely with management and departments of engineering, project management, yard operations, IT and HR.
• Taking a leading role as change manager translating strategic and business direction into change strategies that involve culture and organizational changes.
• Supporting project and people managers in fulfilling their change roles, such as ERP rollouts, operating model redesign, and digital transformations.

The role involves further expanding the change management capability within one of the divisions, in close collaboration with the existing team of change managers and a growing change management community. You will report to the head of change management within Damen.

Key accountabilities

• Drive organizational change to achieve strategic goals through effective change management.
• Act as sparring partner for project and people managers in assessing change impact and change readiness.
• Advise, design and agree the change strategy and plan with project leadership using standardized methods and frameworks.
• Define, drive and monitor change deliverables, including change impact analyses and action plans, training plans, interventions for reinforcing implemented changes, change communication, and readiness monitoring.
• Coordinate and execute communication activities and review and deliver the required communication materials.
• Identify risks, resistance and issues that may impact success of the project.
• Identify change management training needs and coach and train teams.
• Coach or consult leaders and project teams for smaller initiatives.
• Ensure re-use of best practices, leveraging AI and established approaches.
• Contribute to building and maintaining the change management community.

Skills & experience

Professional experience

• A Bachelor or Master level education.
• At least 3-5 years of experience in Change Management or business consultancy roles. Previous roles may include Change Manager, Project Manager or business consultancy roles.
• Knowledge of and experience in the most common Change Management theories and practices, preferably PROSCI.
• Knowledge of and experience with Agile delivery, project and implementation management.
• Experience working on complex business transformation, process improvement or IT systems projects in a technical industrial environment, preferably manufacturing or shipbuilding.
• Experience in an international organization working within different cultures.
• Fluent in English; Dutch is an advantage.

Competencies

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and inspire others.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously, while meeting deadlines.
• Organizational sensitivity and customer orientation, recognizing effects in other parts of the organization and being able to support internal customers.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to assess impact of proposed changes in different fields.
• Proactiveness, adaptability, and resilience, with a passion for driving the people side of change.
• A real team player who likes to work together and collaborates across the organization.
• Being well-structured and creative.

What we offer

• A dynamic international working environment focusing on technology and innovation.
• At least 40 days of annual leave.
• Pension allowance.
• Continuous focus on professional and personal development through the Damen Academy.
• An active social environment.

At Damen Shipyards Group, you will work in a challenging and rewarding environment where you can make a real difference by helping shape the future of the maritime industry and driving meaningful organizational change.