Job Title: Change Management Programme Lead
Location: Ideally, Manchester (Hybrid – with occasional international travel)
Reports to: Director of Business Transformation
Overview
The Change Management Programme Lead will be responsible for developing and delivering the change management strategy across a complex portfolio of transformation initiatives within a global defence organisation. This role ensures that change is effectively planned, communicated, and embedded to maximise adoption and minimise disruption across functions, regions, and business units.
This position requires a strategic thinker with proven experience leading large-scale change programmes in secure, regulated, or defence environments. The successful candidate will possess strong stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills, and will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Develop and implement a comprehensive change management strategy aligned with organisational transformation objectives.
- Provide strategic direction and oversight for change initiatives, ensuring integration with programme management and organisational goals.
- Partner with senior leaders and programme sponsors to ensure visible and sustained sponsorship.
Stakeholder Engagement
- Identify, map, and manage key stakeholders across all levels of the organisation, including senior executives, operational teams, and external partners.
- Establish effective communication and engagement channels to support understanding and buy-in.
- Build collaborative relationships across global and cross-functional teams.
Change Planning and Execution
- Lead the development of change impact assessments, readiness assessments, and transition plans.
- Define and manage change governance frameworks, ensuring alignment with business processes and compliance requirements.
- Integrate change management activities into project and programme plans to ensure smooth delivery.
Communication and Training
- Oversee the design and delivery of targeted communication and training programmes to support adoption.
- Ensure messaging is consistent, clear, and aligned with the organisation’s vision and values.
- Partner with learning and development teams to deliver capability-building initiatives.
Resistance and Risk Management
- Anticipate and address resistance through proactive engagement and feedback mechanisms.
- Identify change-related risks and develop mitigation strategies.
- Monitor and evaluate change adoption and sustainability metrics, reporting progress to leadership.
Sustainment and Continuous Improvement
- Embed change management practices into the organisation’s culture, processes, and leadership behaviours.
- Support the development of internal change capability, mentoring and coaching others in best practice.
- Capture lessons learned and continuously refine the change approach for future programmes.
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- Extensive experience (10+ years) in leading large-scale organisational change or transformation programmes, preferably within defence, aerospace, or other regulated industries.
- Proven ability to manage complex stakeholder landscapes in multi-national environments.
- Strong understanding of change management methodologies (e.g., Prosci, Kotter, ADKAR).
- Excellent leadership, communication, and influencing skills.
- Experience integrating change management with project and programme delivery frameworks (e.g., MSP, PRINCE2).
- Holds existing, or eligible for, UK security clearance (SC or DV level).
Desirable
- Degree in Business, Organisational Psychology, or related field.
- Professional certification in Change Management (Prosci, APMG, ACMP).
- Experience in digital transformation, operating model design, or culture change programmes.
- Knowledge of defence sector governance, policies, and regulatory requirements.
Key Competencies
- Strategic thinking and systems awareness.
- Strong emotional intelligence and stakeholder empathy.
- Excellent communication and facilitation skills.
- Analytical and results-oriented approach.
- Resilience and adaptability in complex environments.
- Cultural awareness and ability to operate globally.
