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- Tasks: Lead transformative change initiatives and engage stakeholders to drive impactful outcomes.
- Company: Join Essex County Council, a forward-thinking organisation committed to community transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working options, support for unpaid carers, and a commitment to diversity.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team shaping the future of local governance and making a real difference.
- Qualifications: Degree level education or equivalent experience; change management qualifications are a plus.
- Other info: This role offers a hybrid working model with office presence required two days a week.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 52000 £ per year.
Change Consultant
Fixed Term Contract / Secondment, 6 months
Full Time, 37 hours per week
£49,051 to £57,706 per annum
Location: Chelmsford*
Working Style: Anywhere worker
Closing Date: 20th July 2025
*Please note this is a hybrid-working role, with a requirement to work in the Chelmsford office 2 days per week on average, depending on business need.
This role will be offered as a 6 month fixed-term contract or secondment.
Essex County Council has an ambitious journey of transformation that involves large scale people change. This role will create and establish plans for large scale change, which will enable the organisation to achieve transformation ambitions – engaging and influencing stakeholders at all levels and working collaboratively to achieve outcomes.
This role will provide highly specialist change expertise, advice, guidance, and challenge within large and transformational programmes of work, which will enable the council to achieve its strategic aims and deliver our organisation plan.
The Change Consultant will work collaboratively with other specialist teams, wider People and Organisational Development and Transformation Delivery & Support to influence and shape change initiatives and programmes. Using proven change management frameworks, tools and resources the role holder will drive the right change outcomes across various transformation programmes to drive maximum business benefit, minimise resistance and effectively embed change.
The Change Consultant will have a deep understanding of the impact that change has on people and organisations and will be able to make recommendations and take ownership for the interventions and activities that ensure that people are ready for change and are effective in handling resistance to change.
Accountabilities
· Provide highly specialist subject matter expertise, thought leadership, practical advice, and guidance to programme and functional leadership teams, ensuring alignment between change initiatives and programme outcomes.
· Manage highly complex and difficult conversations; Present, explain, motivate, engage, influence, persuade and challenge at all levels. Embed a relational and people-centred approach to change by fostering a culture of challenge, support, and values-led change and transformation.
· Deliver practical and impactful change solutions by transforming complex concepts, leveraging innovative thinking to lead change initiatives effectively, ensuring successful outcomes and continuous improvement.
· Support in creation and implementation of impactful change management strategies, including stakeholder engagement, communications, change impact and readiness assessments, training, and transitioning to BAU, to support complex and transformational change.
· Work closely with key organisational leaders and stakeholders to analyse and manage the organisation-wide change landscape, ensuring effective prioritisation and management of change.
· Evaluate the impact of change initiatives, measuring key performance indicators and providing recommendations for continuous improvement and refinement of organisational processes
· Develop and drive the organisation\’s change capability strategy by coaching and mentoring leaders and role-modelling continuous learning and development, demonstrating leadership and organisational behaviours, and whole system change leadership.
· Regularly update knowledge and skills to meet the evolving standards set by the CIPD at standards level of Chartered Membership or above. Integrate the CIPD profession map and its framework into all actions, including participation in continuous professional development activities and ensuring that ECC\’s HR practices and strategies are in accordance with the CIPD\’s professional standards and ethical guidelines.
· Actively participate in the development and continuation of communities of change practice and networks to share best practices, ensuring a cohesive approach to change and employee experience across the organisation.
· Meet specific individual and shared targets and objectives as defined annually within the performance management framework.
The Experience You Will Bring
· Educated to degree level (RFQ Level 6) or equivalent by experience; CIPD or Change Management qualification desirable with ongoing professional development.
· Demonstrable knowledge of the critical factors in leading change and practical experience of applying project and programme management approaches taking ownership for identifying risks and creating mitigation plans, evidence of delivering large scale change on time and to quality and budget.
· Expert knowledge in change management and organisational development theories, with successful application in complex environments and/or transformation programmes.
· Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to tailor approaches to meet the needs of diverse audiences with differing levels of understanding, including the creation of engaging and tailored materials.
· Effective in engaging with partners and stakeholders, confident in managing multiple and conflicting stakeholder expectations.
· Planning, facilitating, and delivering stakeholder workshops and individual interventions for engagement, training, and coaching.
· Experienced in managing change programmes and projects, developing business cases, identifying risks, and creating mitigation plans.
· Delivering change readiness, maturity, and impact assessments to develop integrated people change plans.
· Experienced in managing diverse workloads through prioritisation, remaining credible under pressure, and working effectively in ambiguous situations.
Further Information
In February 2025 , Greater Essex was accepted onto the Government\’s devolution priority programme, which will see local authorities in Essex work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority by May 2026. You can read more about devolution and local government reorganisation (LGR ) on our careers site.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We\’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We\’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you\’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles , including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email
Follow us on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn . Further details can be found on our careers page .
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Change Consultant, Chelmsford employer: Essex County Council
Contact Detail:
Essex County Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Change Consultant, Chelmsford
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with change management frameworks and tools that are commonly used in large-scale transformations. Being able to discuss these frameworks during your interactions will demonstrate your expertise and readiness for the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the change management field, especially those who have experience in local government or similar environments. Engaging in conversations with them can provide insights into the specific challenges and expectations of the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to showcase your ability to manage complex stakeholder relationships. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully navigated difficult conversations or influenced key stakeholders, as this is crucial for the Change Consultant position.
✨Tip Number 4
Stay updated on the latest trends and developments in change management and organisational development. This knowledge will not only help you in interviews but also show your commitment to continuous professional development, which is highly valued in this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Change Consultant, Chelmsford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to grasp the responsibilities and requirements of the Change Consultant position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific needs of Essex County Council.
Craft a Compelling CV: Ensure your CV is up-to-date and clearly outlines your relevant experience in change management and organisational development. Use bullet points for clarity and focus on achievements that demonstrate your ability to lead change effectively.
Write a Strong Cover Letter: Your cover letter should complement your CV by providing context to your experiences. Discuss your understanding of change management frameworks and how you have successfully implemented them in previous roles. Make sure to express your enthusiasm for the role and the organisation.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications: If you have any qualifications related to change management or CIPD, be sure to mention them prominently in your application. This will show your commitment to professional development and your readiness to meet the standards expected by Essex County Council.
How to prepare for a job interview at Essex County Council
✨Understand Change Management Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with various change management frameworks and tools. Be prepared to discuss how you have applied these in past roles, particularly in complex environments, as this will demonstrate your expertise and ability to drive successful change outcomes.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role requires excellent communication and influencing skills, practice articulating your thoughts clearly. Prepare examples of how you've tailored your communication to engage diverse audiences and manage stakeholder expectations effectively.
✨Prepare for Complex Conversations
Anticipate questions that may require you to manage difficult conversations. Think about scenarios where you had to persuade or challenge stakeholders, and be ready to share how you navigated those situations while maintaining a people-centred approach.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Learning
Highlight your commitment to professional development, especially in relation to CIPD standards. Discuss any recent training or qualifications you've pursued, and how they have equipped you to handle the evolving landscape of change management.
