Change Management Programme Lead

United Kingdom JPC - 456 Contract

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.