Organizational Change Leader (WMS2)
State of Washington
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
Employment Security Department (ESD) in Olympia, WA seeks an Organizational Change Leader to guide people-centered transformation across technology, processes, and roles. You will partner with the PPMO to align leadership, governance, and staff adoption, ensuring measurable value and equity in change outcomes.
The role requires in-person portfolio steering and leadership team sessions, with a focus on communication, sponsorship, coaching, and training.
Qualifications
- Five (5) years facilitating diverse work groups and teams in complex projects.
- Five (5) years working with senior managers on OD interventions.
- Five (5) years in large multi-functional, multi-site organizations.
- Two or more (2+) years as a change manager plus experience in Lean, HCD, Six Sigma, or problem solving.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change initiatives using structured methodologies such as ADKAR, Kotter, or comparable frameworks.
- Familiarity with ADKAR, MBTI, Speed of Trust, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, Human-Centered Design
Responsibilities
- Develop and execute comprehensive OCM plans including impact analyses, change readiness assessments, and risk mitigation strategies for assigned portfolios and projects.
- Create actionable deliverables for the five core change levers: communications plans, sponsor roadmaps, coaching plans, training plans, and resistance management plans.
- Provide expert-level consultation and coaching to agency leadership, steering committees, portfolio meetings and managers.
- Conduct root-cause analysis in high-resistance areas and implement corrective actions.
- Establish and apply structured OCM tools and methodologies to assist project teams.
- Embed OCM strategies into active project plans with status updates and risk mitigation.
- Contribute to the management of the Enterprise portfolio by monitoring change capacity and readiness.
- Attend PPMO Leadership meetings in person and monthly steering committee meetings.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
The Employment Security Department (ESD) is seeking a collaborative, forward‑thinking, and results‑driven leader to serve as an Organizational Change Leader. The ideal candidate is an expert communicator and strategic problem‑solver—someone who can navigate complex transitions with empathy, bring structure to ambiguity, and build trust across all levels of the agency. They excel at facilitating cross‑functional groups, rapidly synthesizing new information, and coaching leaders through evolving operational landscapes. Passionate about the human side of change, they are committed to equity, continuous improvement, and empowering staff to adopt new business processes, systems, and job roles successfully.
As an Organizational Change Leader, you will ensure our critical agency priorities and projects deliver real value and measurable outcomes. Your primary focus is the people side of change—helping teams successfully navigate shifts in technology, business processes, and organizational structures while minimizing disruption. Operating within the Project & Portfolio Management Office (PPMO), you will report directly to the Agency Portfolio Administrator who oversees the office and you will serve as a strategic member of the PPMO Leadership Team. This role requires regular in‑person participation for portfolio steering meetings and PPMO Leadership Team sessions. Your work directly impacts ESD’s mission to build economic resilience through inclusive workforce solutions.
- Develop and execute comprehensive OCM plans including impact analyses, change readiness assessments, and risk mitigation strategies for assigned portfolios and projects.
- Create actionable deliverables for the five core change levers: communications plans, sponsor roadmaps, coaching plans, training plans, and resistance management plans.
- Provide expert‑level consultation and coaching to agency leadership, steering committees, portfolio meetings, project team meetings and managers to help them fulfill their roles as effective change sponsors.
- Conduct root‑cause analysis in high‑resistance areas, developing and implementing targeted corrective action strategies to ensure successful adoption that include process mapping and individualization related to change.
- Establish and apply structured OCM tools and methodologies to assist project teams and staff in effectively adopting new initiatives.
- Embed comprehensive OCM strategies into active project plans, providing regular status updates, risk assessments, and mitigation tactics to project teams.
- Contribute to the management of the Enterprise portfolio by monitoring, auditing, and maintaining an accurate inventory of the overall change capacity and organizational readiness.
- Attend PPMO Leadership meetings in person along with monthly steering committee meetings.
- Nine (9) years of required experience listed below.
- Associate’s degree in public administration, business, human resources, organizational development, applied behavioral sciences or related field. AND
- Seven (7) years of required experience listed below.
- Bachelor’s degree in public administration, business, human resources, organizational development, applied behavioral sciences or related field. AND
- Five (5) years of required experience listed below.
OR Equivalent education/experience.
Required experience includes at minimum the following (experience may be gained concurrently):
- Five (5) years facilitating diverse work groups and teams in complex projects
- Five (5) years working with senior managers on OD interventions
- Five (5) years in large, multi‑functional, multi‑site organizations
- Two or more (2+) years as a change manager plus experience in Lean, HCD, Six Sigma, or problem solving.
- Demonstrated ability to lead change initiatives using structured methodologies such as ADKAR, Kotter, or comparable frameworks.
- Familiarity with ADKAR, MBTI, Speed of Trust, Agile, Lean Six Sigma, Human-Centered Design
- Independent facilitation of cross‑functional groups
- High‑output creativity under tight deadlines
- Rapid synthesis of new information
- Flexibility, adaptability, and self‑direction
- Ability to serve as internal expert, trainer, coach, and mentor
- The ability to take action to learn and grow.
- The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
- Knowledge and experience with multiple change methodologies; a solid understanding of how people go through a change and the change process
- Educational coursework in organizational development, change management, performance management, and business administration
- Experience and knowledge of change management principles, methodologies and tools
- Familiarity with project management approaches, tools and phases of the project lifecycle
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal
- Ability to clearly articulate messages to a variety of audiences
- Ability to influence others and move toward a common vision or goal
- Flexible and adaptable; able to work in ambiguous situations
- Acute business acumen and understanding of organizational issues and challenges
- Must be able to pass Unemployment Insurance (UI) & Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) claim and fraud check.
Our agency's mission and values drive every decision that we make, determine how we interact with others and are at the core of who we are. We value Access, Love, Belonging, Equity, and Stewardship. We understand that a work environment that respects your work/life balance is key; that's why many of our positions are eligible for flexible work schedules and teleworking opportunities. Through support, value, and trust, our employees are empowered to grow and develop into their best self.
We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, ethnic, racial, religious, sexual orientation, and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, people over 40 years of age, people with religious beliefs, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply.
The Employment Security Department is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you are a person needing assistance in the application process, if you need this job announcement in an alternate format, or if you have general questions about this opportunity, please contact Katie Swanson (360-742-8208), the Talent Acquisition Team, or Washington Relay Service 711 prior to the recruitment closing. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please contact careershelp@des.wa.gov or (360) 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960, Washington Relay 711.
This Organization Participates in E-Verify
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax‑deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long‑term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs. Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre‑tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses. Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction. The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well‑being of employees.
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site. Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre‑tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
If you are employed by a government or not‑for‑profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Full‑time and part‑time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Full‑time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave. Sick leave accruals for part‑time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Full‑time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full‑time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave. Part‑time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full‑time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday. As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump‑sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
- Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
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