Senior Organizational Change Manager

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Remote; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision plans

Comprehensive wellness programs

Tuition benefit program

Paid holidays and generous leave

Job summary

University of Colorado System Administration is seeking a Senior Organizational Change Manager to lead change efforts across UIS-led projects. The role partners with project managers, business analysts, and leadership to drive adoption and readiness, focusing on people, processes, and technology changes.

The position reports to the Assistant Director, Project & Change Management, within UIS PMO and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified System.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; or equivalent professional experience.
• Three years of experience in an organizational change management role, including project management and development of communication/change strategies.
• Formal certification in Prosci, Kotter, or ACMP Standard for Change Management (or similar).

Responsibilities

• Develop change strategy and planning for UIS-led projects.
• Engage stakeholders and sponsors across UIS, CU System, and campuses.
• Create and integrate change management activities into project plans; define success metrics.
• Provide guidance to leaders and managers on sponsorship and change readiness.
• Translate complex technical concepts into accessible terms for non-technical audiences.

Skills

Organizational change management

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Lean OCM practices

Communication

Change impact analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Higher Education!

At the System Administration office at the University of Colorado, we are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our office is committed to fostering a culture where employees find community, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission and purpose.

By joining our team, you’ll have a direct impact on shaping the future of higher education. In addition to the Office of the Board of Regents, the University of Colorado’s system administration includes 19 units that provide essential services to CU’s campuses in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, as well as the Office of the President. While not a part of any one campus, we are proud to serve in the centralized office for the University system. Together, we ensure CU continues to deliver outstanding education, groundbreaking research, and valuable service to our communities.

We believe in creating an environment where the unique experiences and perspectives of everyone are embraced, enriching the work we do and the strategic outcomes we pursue. If you’re passionate about making a difference, contributing to a dynamic team, and supporting a mission that matters, we encourage you to apply and be part of our journey. Learn more about CU System Administration.

Position Summary:

University Information Services (UIS) provides technical services and enterprise applications to the University of Colorado’s (CU) four campuses and the Office of the President. UIS is committed to excellence in customer service, technical expertise, and the development of enterprise applications responsible for supporting CU’s students, faculty, staff, human resources employees, finance employees, and others.

The Senior Organizational Change Manager resides within the Project Management Office (PMO) in UIS and is typically engaged a variety of projects, including internal UIS efforts and larger efforts supporting other System departments and campuses. This role is responsible for ensuring projects and change initiatives meet objectives by applying organizational change management best practices, strategies, and deliverables. The position focuses on the people side of change, with emphasis on planning and implementing change strategies related to people, process, and technology changes.

The Senior Organizational Change Manager works closely with project managers, business analysts, UIS leadership, governance groups, and other stakeholders to assess the environment, understand change impacts, and develop practical plans for successful adoption. The role builds formal change management plans, cultivates relationships across UIS, CU System, and campuses, and partners with PMO leadership to coach project managers in applying Lean OCM practices to smaller or less complex projects. The Senior Organizational Change Manager is a servant leader who supports and partners with project teams to improve readiness, engagement, and adoption outcomes.

This position reports to the Assistant Director, Project & Change Management, within University Information Services and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified System.

Where You Will Work:

This role is eligible to work remotely within Colorado.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Change Strategy & Planning for UIS-led Projects

• Build and apply structured change management methodologies and related activities
• Develop the business case for change and assess impacts of proposed changes
• Complete change management assessments and craft practical change management strategies
• Integrate change management activities, milestones, and deliverables into project plans
• Define and measure success metrics (when relevant) to ensure changes are welcomed, adopted, and sustained
• Stakeholder Engagement & Sponsorship for UIS-led Projects
• Use diplomacy and consensus-building to foster communication and manage relationships across UIS teams, and sometimes also with other System or campus departments
• Engage and support leaders in their role as change sponsors by providing clear actions, talking points, and guidance
• Support managers and supervisors in understanding how to manage change and serve as effective sponsors
• Support discussions with leaders to gather feedback and enable decisions

Communications, Training & Readiness for UIS-led Projects

• Craft actionable resources for communications, training, sponsorship, and key partner management
• Evaluate readiness across impacted communities and identify actions needed to support adoption
• Track and report change issues throughout the course of an initiative
• Translate technical concepts and vocabulary into common terms for non-technical audiences

UIS PMO Partnership & Lean OCM Enablement

• Partner with the project management team and PMO leadership to implement Lean OCM practices among project managers
• Support and coach project managers on basic change management techniques and deliverables for smaller or less complex projects
• Support project teams in planning for change impacts and managing adoption needs across project lifecycles
• Support the PMO in scaling OCM approaches to match the size, risk, and complexity of each effort

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience; professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis
• Three (3) years of experience in an organizational change management role, including project management experience and experience developing communication and change strategies for change initiatives
• Formal certification in an industry-standard change management methodology, such as Prosci, Kotter, or the Association of Change Management Professionals Standard for Change Management

Preferred Qualifications:

• Four (4) years of experience in an organizational change management role
• Advanced degree in business management, organizational development, or a related field
• Prior experience working with or in government or an institution of higher education
• Experience supporting projects related to the implementation and adoption of artificial intelligence
• Organizational change management experience implementing ERP solutions or other information technology projects

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of organizational change management processes, methodologies, and standard practices
• Knowledge of project management processes and lifecycles, preferably including familiarity with PMI’s Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK)
• Knowledge of Agile processes and the ability to scale OCM approaches to match project size, risk, and complexity
• Ability to use generative artificial intelligence tools on a regular basis to support analysis, communication, and productivity
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and communication skills for audiences ranging from technical teams to leadership
• Organizational skills to set and meet goals, manage time commitments, create schedules, coordinate meetings, and make sound decisions
• Interpersonal and customer service skills to actively listen, address customer needs, defuse tense situations, and promote teamwork
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to examine and summarize data and trends, resolve issues, and produce results
• Strong oral, written, and listening communication skills to interpret information accurately and convey concepts clearly
• Digital literacy, including use of Microsoft Office programs and the ability to learn and experiment with new software and systems
• Ability to work in ambiguous situations, remain resilient, and persevere through complexity and change
• Ability to translate and explain technical concepts and vocabulary in common terms for non-technical audiences
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction and reliable professional judgment, as well as collaboratively with teams
• Ability to navigate complex political environments and work with people of varying skills, knowledge, and perspectives

Benefits:

With our unparalleled range of benefits, including top-notch healthcare, comprehensive wellness programs, enriching professional development, and a dynamic work-life balance, we ensure your holistic growth and happiness.

• No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance.

• Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.

• Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.

• Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts.

• Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes a dedicated week off for winter break.

• 6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of parenthood.

• A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.

• Free RTD EcoPass and free onsite parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office.

• Many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.

For more information on benefits programs, please review our Comprehensive Benefits Guide.

Access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staff position)