Change Management Specialist

Vanguard; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Vanguard’s Change Management Specialist role in Charlotte, NC sits within HR Strategy & Operations and the Program & Change Management team. You will translate strategy into actionable change plans, help stakeholders understand, adopt, and sustain change, and balance strategic consulting with hands-on execution across communications, readiness, and adoption deliverables.

You will lead end‑to‑end change activities across multiple initiatives, partnering with HR leaders and program sponsors to

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years related work experience, including at least 3 years practicing change management.
• Experience leading change across complex initiatives involving people, process, and technology.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and leaders at all levels of the organization and drive outcomes in dynamic, matrixed environments without direct authority.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute change strategies aligned to program goals.
• Partner with HR leaders and sponsors to align on change approaches.
• Design targeted readiness interventions and change communications.
• Lead day-to-day change activities across initiatives of varying size.
• Deliver impact assessments, stakeholder plans, and adoption activities.
• Integrate change activities into overall program plans and timelines.

Skills

Strong stakeholder management

Translate strategy into actionable_pl_

Change management deliverables

Project management fundamentals

Communication & facilitation

Stakeholder influence

Education

Undergraduate degree

Job description

The Change Management Specialist plays a critical role in enabling the successful execution of HR’s highest priorities. This role sits within HR Strategy & Operations on the Program & Change Management team and focuses on the people side of change, helping stakeholders understand, adopt, and sustain change. This individual partners closely with program leaders, HR teams, and business stakeholders to translate strategy into actionable plans and deliver interventions that improve readiness, accelerate adoption, and reduce risk. Depending on the initiative, the role may serve as a trusted advisor, strategic partner, or hands‑on change lead, helping leaders align on the right change approach even when the team is not directly managing day‑to‑day delivery. The role balances strategic consulting with hands‑on execution, including the development of communications, stakeholder engagement activities, training support, and other adoption‑focused deliverables.

Responsibilities

Change Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute change management strategies aligned to program objectives and enterprise priorities.
• Assess impacts across people, process, technology, and ways of working; identify risks and mitigation strategies.
• Create and execute end‑to‑end change management plans that improve readiness, adoption, and business outcomes.

Stakeholder Engagement & Advisory

• Partner with HR leaders, program sponsors, and business/divisional leaders to align on change approach, priorities, and execution.
• Serve as a trusted advisor by providing change management expertise, facilitating alignment, navigating competing priorities, and proactively identifying and escalating risks that could impact adoption, readiness, or business outcomes.
• Provide advisory support in situations where the team is not directly managing the change, helping leaders pressure‑test approach, clarify ownership, identify adoption risks, and determine the right level of change support.

Readiness, Communications & Adoption

• Assess readiness and design targeted interventions to prepare leaders and crew for change.
• Develop clear, audience‑specific change communications and messaging in partnership with HR Communications.
• Monitor adoption indicators, gather feedback, and adjust strategies to improve effectiveness.

Execution & Delivery

• Lead day‑to‑day change management activities across multiple initiatives of varying size and complexity.
• Produce key deliverables, including impact assessments, stakeholder plans, readiness approaches, communications, and adoption activities.
• Balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution by building and delivering work products directly.

Program Integration & Continuous Improvement

• Partner with program managers and workstream leads to integrate change activities into overall plans and timelines.
• Apply foundational project management concepts, manage competing priorities, and support delivery across concurrent initiatives.
• Use data, feedback, and lessons learned to improve outcomes and contribute to the team's tools, templates, and best practices.

Experience

• Minimum of five years related work experience, including at least 3 years practicing change management
• Experience leading change across complex initiatives involving people, process, and technology.
• Proven ability to influence stakeholders and leaders at all levels of the organization and drive outcomes in dynamic, matrixed environments without direct authority.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of training and experience required.

Skills

• Strong stakeholder management, influence, and consulting skills.
• Ability to translate strategy into actionable plans and navigate ambiguity.
• Experience developing and executing change management deliverables from strategy through implementation.
• Working knowledge of project or program management fundamentals.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with stakeholders and leaders at all levels of the organization, adapting approach and communication style to influence alignment and drive outcomes.

Mindset

• Hands‑on, practical, and willing to roll up sleeves to deliver results directly.
• Curious, collaborative, and comfortable challenging assumptions and thinking constructively.
• Thrives in ambiguity, bringing clarity, alignment, and momentum to complex situations.
• Exercises sound judgment by proactively identifying risks, surfacing concerns, and providing candid recommendations.
• Adaptable, resilient, and outcome‑focused, with a continuous improvement mindset.

Preferred

• Experience leading or supporting HR, workforce, AI, technology, and/or business transformation initiatives.
• Experience leading or supporting organizational, cultural, or behavioral change efforts.
• Change management certification (e.g., Prosci).

Special Factors

Sponsorship

Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.

About Vanguard

At Vanguard, we don't just have a mission—we're on a mission.

To work for the long‑term financial wellbeing of our clients. To lead through product and services that transform our clients' lives. To learn and develop our skills as individuals and as a team. From Malvern to Melbourne, our mission drives us forward and inspires us to be our best.

How We Work

Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of our crew members, designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in‑person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission‑driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long‑term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.