Change Management & Communications Manager
Duration: 6 months
Location: Sandwich (Hybrid working – 2-3 days in office per week)
Pay rate: £32.05 p/h - £42.00 p/h PAYE or £35.91 - £47.00 p/h (Umbrella)
Hours: 37 hours per week
The Change Management & Communications Manager supports the advancement of transformational and key project initiatives. This role helps improve business adoption and proficiency in new technologies and processes across Global Regulatory Sciences and among key stakeholders, while fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Responsible for creating, managing, and implementing strategies that enable the smooth integration of new technologies and processes throughout the organization.
Designing and delivering change management plans, developing/coordinating communications and engagement with colleagues both within and outside GRS, and ensuring readiness for change among impacted teams. The manager works to deliver these outcomes within established resource, time, and budget constraints.
Regular interaction with individuals at all levels of the organisation—including senior leaders, regional and front-line managers, project managers, and colleagues involved in delivering the project portfolio.
Collaborates with teams across GRS and partnering lines to support successful project outcomes, providing guidance, tools, communication materials, and other deliverables in line with project and organizational objectives.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop and implement detailed plans for projects, change management, communications, and risk mitigation, to enable business adoption and proficiency of new technologies and processes across GRS and impacted stakeholders.
• Recommend and apply change management strategies tailored to the environment, type of change, and affected groups.
• Anticipate opportunities, challenges, and risks related to transformational and change projects.
• Conduct change readiness assessments and present findings to drive successful adoption.
• Implement reinforcement and sustainment plans to ensure lasting change.
• Track and report on business adoption and proficiency using appropriate measurement systems.
• Create and deliver communication materials (e.g., websites, presentations, videos, emails, guides).
• Coordinate communication and engagement activities with business lines and subject matter experts.
• Identify and support change champions and agent networks with tools and guidance.
• Build and maintain relationships across global functions to ensure partnership and adoption of initiatives.
BASIC QUALIFICIATIONS:
• Minimum of a bachelor’s degree (B.A. or B.S.) in communication, organizational effectiveness, or related field. Relevant professional experience will be considered.
• Proven successful experience with change management, project management, and/or communication.
• The candidate must have strong business acumen and an understanding of R&D processes, including being able to successfully articulate the linkage between business decisions and business objectives.
• Familiarity with project management approaches, tools and phases of the project lifecycle.
• Experience leading collaborations within & across divisions, working with other scientific & technical leaders to drive projects and implement business initiatives.
• Ability to effectively manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to adapt and work across different cultures and with a variety of leaders from different backgrounds and experiences.
• A solid understanding of how people go through a change and the change process; experience with AIM (or equivalent methodologies) is a plus.
• Highly skilled in the development of communication products in a variety of media including emails, documents, slides, video, advertisements, etc.
SKILLS:
• Leadership of Change Programs: Experience leading large change initiatives involving cross-site teams; able to mobilize resources, inspire and motivate teams, and provide clear direction and support throughout the change process.
• Strategic Awareness: Ability to understand the broader impact of changes and align them with organizational goals, while influencing culture and future direction.
• Project & Change Management Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of project and change management principles and methodologies; flexible and open to adjusting plans as needed.
• Business Acumen & Organizational Skills: Skilled at managing multiple demands, meeting tight deadlines, and working effectively within a matrix environment.
• Strong Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to work across lines and geographies and present issues, challenges, and risks for resolution.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Ability to communicate regularly with key stakeholders to ensure alignment and address challenges.
• Organizational Knowledge: Familiarity with Regulatory Affairs / Regulatory Operations and/or key partner lines, including their systems, processes, and business needs.
