HR Change Management Specialist , Transformation Implementation Office

Required Position

   Term Appointment until February 5,  2027

Responsibilities

Vacancy Status: New position

The HR Change Management Specialist is responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing structured change management strategies, specifically focused on enabling the successful adoption of new HR policies, systems (HCM/HRIS), and processes across the university community. This strategic role ensures the people-side of HR transformation is managed effectively by conducting impact assessments, mitigating resistance and driving user proficiency and engagement. The specialist collaborates closely with the Transformation Change & Communication Strategy Specialist, HR leadership and project teams to seamlessly integrate change plans, ultimately minimizing operational disruption and maximizing the realization of intended benefits for a positive, high-performing employee experience.

Change Management 

• Assist in the design and execution of change management strategies and initiatives aligned with the university’s HR transformation goals and the Transformation Change Management framework.
• Develop comprehensive change management plans, including timelines, key milestones, and resource allocation, tailored for HR initiatives. 
• Work closely with HR functional experts, IT and project managers to ensure smooth and coordinated execution of HR transformation activities. 
• Regularly report on the status of change management and adoption activities to HR senior leadership, providing insights, metrics and recommendations. 
• Provide guidance on best practices for change adoption and overcoming resistance specifically related to HR changes within various university units. 
• Lead policy mapping sessions to determine necessary HR business process modifications and identify corresponding change management and communication requirements. 
• Engage subject matter experts (SMEs), particularly within HR and relevant departments, to extract key business processes and changes that will need to be change managed and communicated. 
• Coordinate and lead employee-focused engagement activities such as focus groups and feedback sessions related to HR changes.

Training & Professional Development 

• Develop and deliver training programs to ensure all stakeholders are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to adopt new HR systems, policies, or processes (e.g., a new performance review process or time-off request system). 
• Prepare and manage resources, including FAQs, quick guides, and documentation, to support the university community throughout the transition pertaining to new HR systems, policies, or processes.

Data Analysis & Interpretation

• Develop clear, consistent, and effective internal communication strategies focused on HR transformation projects, ensuring messaging resonates with employees and managers. 
• Create and distribute HR-specific communications (e.g., intranet updates, emails explaining new policy changes) to keep stakeholders informed and engaged throughout the transition. 
• Collaborate with HR leadership and department heads to ensure change messaging is consistent and tailored to meet the needs of different audience groups (e.g., faculty vs. staff, union vs. non-union). 
• Analyze and assess the impact of HR-related change (e.g., new policy, HRIS implementation) on various university stakeholders, particularly employees, managers, and unionized staff. 
• Design and implement methods to measure the effectiveness of HR change management efforts, including surveys and feedback mechanisms focused on adoption rates and proficiency of new HR processes. 
• Collaborate with the Transformation Change & Communication Strategy Specialist to continuously monitor progress, identify potential issues, and propose enhancements to the HR change management strategy. 
• Use employee feedback and data to continuously improve the communication and support strategy for HR initiatives and address challenges or concerns raised by stakeholders.

Perform other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Business Administration, Organizational Development, or a related field.
• Five (5) to eight (8) years of relevant experience
• Certification in change management is highly preferred. 
• Excellent Verbal and Written Communication Skills. 
• Demonstrated problem-solving, attention to detail, and conflict resolution skills. 
• Excellent organizational and time management skills; ability to meet deadlines. 
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills. 
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. 
• Proven ability to work independently with minimal supervision, take initiative, and collaborate effectively within a team environment. 
• Knowledge of the collective bargaining process and experience working with collective agreements / unionized environment. 
• Expertise in all aspects of the employee lifecycle, from recruitment and onboarding to performance management and professional development. 
• Proven ability to lead and guide teams through organizational transitions, process improvements, or significant policy changes. 
• Ability to work fluently (verbal and written) in both official languages, French and English, is required.

Applications are being accepted to fill an active vacancy within the University

***We are aware that some applicants are experiencing difficulty using our careers portal. Should you complete an application through our online form and receive an error, please submit your application to careers@laurentian.ca***

The official University hours of operation shall be from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, during, and including, the months from September to April, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m Monday through Friday during and including May to August., amounting to thirty-three and three-quarter (33.75) hours per week. 

At Laurentian University, we recognize that work-life balance is essential for both personal well-being and professional success. Our policy offers employees some flexibility to better balance personal needs while maintaining effective service delivery.

Laurentian University is an inclusive and welcoming community committed to employment equity. Applications are encouraged from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions. Laurentian University’s bilingualism policy provides a provision regarding the language requirement for persons self-identifying as First Nations, Métis or Inuit. 

Laurentian University is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please contact Human Resources for more information (careers@laurentian.ca).

 

Apply Now

Applications will only be accepted through our online form.