Technology Communications & Adoption Specialist

Baird; Milwaukee (WI); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Baird is seeking a Technology Communications & Adoption Specialist II to own communications and enablement for IT projects, including upgrades, migrations and AI initiatives. Hybrid role based in Milwaukee, with three days in the office and two remote.

You will translate complex tech into clear messages and practical learning to help associates understand changes and succeed with new technology. Under IT Client Services, you will craft just-in-time learning resources, measure adoption, and

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in IT communications, technology change management, instructional design, training or a related area.
• Working knowledge of technology-change communications, adult-learning and change-management principles
• Experience creating guides, FAQs, job aids, videos and other learning content that makes technical topics accessible to non-technical audiences
• Working knowledge of AI tools and relevant use cases, Microsoft 365, SharePoint and common authoring and communication tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor content for different audiences
• Ability to manage communications and training needs across multiple concurrent IT projects with strong attention to detail and organization
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across IT and the firm
• A growth mindset with a focus on innovation, continuous learning and improvement
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, instructional design, information technology or a related field, or equivalent professional experience

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain communication plans and calendars for assigned IT projects and technology-change initiatives, including upgrades, migrations, new-tool rollouts and process changes
• Translate technical details into clear, audience-appropriate messaging and change narratives for end users, business stakeholders and leaders
• Select and coordinate communication channels, including email, intranet, Teams and digital signage, while maintaining consistent tone and branding
• Design and produce right-sized learning and reference materials, including quick-start guides, FAQs, job aids, short how-to videos and lightweight e-learning
• Apply adult-learning and change-management principles to recommend effective formats, including self-service guides, live walkthroughs and short videos
• Coordinate or facilitate demonstrations, office hours and walkthroughs that support go-lives and significant technology changes
• Maintain and refresh the library of IT training and reference content as tools and processes evolve
• Partner with the AI Communication & Adoption Lead to execute aligned AI-related and broader IT communications and adoption activities
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant AI tools and use cases, respond to routine questions and support adoption within IT projects
• Gather user feedback and track available communication, training and post-launch adoption measures to identify themes and recommend improvements
• Collaborate with IT project managers, system owners and subject matter experts to understand upcoming changes, audience impacts and communication and learning needs
• Support cross-functional initiatives as priorities shift

Skills

Communication

Change management

Instructional design

Training

Adult-learning

Audience tailoring

Collaboration

Growth mindset

Bachelor’s degree related field

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, instructional design, information technology or a related field

Tools

Microsoft 365

SharePoint

Teams

Digital signage

Job description

About The Role

Help shape how technology change is understood and adopted across Baird. As a Technology Communications & Adoption Specialist II, you will own communications and enablement deliverables for a portfolio of IT projects, including upgrades, migrations, new-tool rollouts, process changes and AI-related initiatives. You will turn complex technical information into clear messages and practical learning experiences that help associates understand what is changing, why it matters and how to succeed with new technology.

Working under the direction of the Director of IT Client Services, you will coordinate communication channels and adoption activities, develop just-in-time learning resources and use feedback and available measures to continuously improve the employee technology experience.

This hybrid position is based in our Milwaukee office, with the flexibility to work three days per week in the office and two days remotely.

The Impact You’ll Make

Technology Communications and Change Readiness

• Own and maintain communication plans and calendars for assigned IT projects and technology-change initiatives, including upgrades, migrations, new-tool rollouts and process changes
• Translate technical details into clear, audience-appropriate messaging and change narratives for end users, business stakeholders and leaders
• Select and coordinate communication channels, including email, intranet, Teams and digital signage, while maintaining consistent tone and branding

Learning And Adoption

• Design and produce right-sized learning and reference materials, including quick-start guides, FAQs, job aids, short how-to videos and lightweight e-learning
• Apply adult-learning and change-management principles to recommend effective formats, including self-service guides, live walkthroughs and short videos
• Coordinate or facilitate demonstrations, office hours and walkthroughs that support go-lives and significant technology changes
• Maintain and refresh the library of IT training and reference content as tools and processes evolve

AI Communications And Enablement

• Partner with the AI Communication & Adoption Lead to execute aligned AI-related and broader IT communications and adoption activities
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant AI tools and use cases, respond to routine questions and support adoption within IT projects

Measurement, Collaboration And Improvement

• Gather user feedback and track available communication, training and post-launch adoption measures to identify themes and recommend improvements
• Collaborate with IT project managers, system owners and subject matter experts to understand upcoming changes, audience impacts and communication and learning needs
• Support cross-functional initiatives as priorities shift

What You’ll Bring To Baird

• Minimum of 2 years of experience in IT communications, technology change management, instructional design, training or a related area
• Working knowledge of technology-change communications, adult-learning and change-management principles
• Experience creating guides, FAQs, job aids, videos and other learning content that makes technical topics accessible to non-technical audiences
• Working knowledge of AI tools and relevant use cases, Microsoft 365, SharePoint and common authoring and communication tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor content for different audiences
• Ability to manage communications and training needs across multiple concurrent IT projects with strong attention to detail and organization
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across IT and the firm
• A growth mindset with a focus on innovation, continuous learning and improvement
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, instructional design, information technology or a related field, or equivalent professional experience

Compensation And Benefits

• Compensation and bonus are commensurate with experience, performance and/or firm profitability
• You’ll have the opportunity to advance your career while enjoying our comprehensive benefits designed for your life, career and future.

Baird is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status.