Business Change Manager

At Unite Students our aim is to create a Home for Success for our students, using technology and data to empower them to find their home and have a great stay with us, and a great experience throughout their student life. Our ambition is to run the best platforms and experiences in the sector and that’s why we are running a multi-year business led, Tech enabled transformation programme covering virtually all elements of front and back‑office technologies as well as customer facing channels which will result in significant changes for our employees, partners and students.

Reporting into the Portfolio Office we see the Change Management function as critical to help support the complex Programme deployment, but also recognise that this is just the start, and that change will continue to be required to continue to grow and develop our business in the years to come. To this end we are looking for an experienced Change Management professional to ensure that changes, whether they are related to processes, technologies, structures, or culture, are effectively planned, implemented, and embraced by the Unite organisation.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Responsible for supporting and in some cases leading the change workstream across multiple complex projects.
• Be a model of the mindset, behaviour and cultural change required and passionately advocate the benefits of Change Management across Unite.
• Work with the Change Management Lead to develop the Unite Students Change Strategy and plans to support the business objectives and change initiatives.
• Work with the Change Management Lead to establish change management methodologies, define the change toolkit, templates and ways of working to consistently deliver change initiatives across Unite.
• Work with the Change Management Lead to ensure that prioritised change activities are fully aligned to the business goals and objectives and have clearly defined outcomes.
• Leverage your experience and established change management methodologies and tools to consistently deliver change initiatives across Unite.
• Work with Project Managers to create and integrate change plans in support of projects taking into account the impact on people, processes, and systems.
• Ensure that change management is considered from the project’s inception to completion.
• Develop comprehensive communication plans at a Programme and a Project level, to convey the reasons for change, the expected benefits, and the impact on individuals and teams.
• Ensure that communication is timely, clear, and consistent throughout the change process.
• Identify and engage with key stakeholders affected by the change.
• Conduct detailed Change Impact Assessments on how the change will impact different aspects of the organisation, including people, processes, and technology.
• Work with the Learning team in Unite to assess the skill gaps resulting from the change and develop training programmes to address them.
• Actively define and manage stakeholder mapping and engagement to ensure that senior leadership are fully engaged in supporting the deployment and adoption of change across the business and IT.
• Work with stakeholders to understand concerns and possible areas of resistance to change and develop strategies to overcome them.
• Establish metrics to monitor the progress and success of the change initiative.
• Define and develop a change network of interested and engaged participants from across the business to embed effective change principles in everything we do.
• Work with Change Agents across the business/functions to embed effective change principles in everything we do.
• Ensure handover from Programme/Project deliverables into BAU and continuous improvement.
• Identify and manage any risks to adoption and drive actions to mitigate them.
• Work with the PMO to oversee the change calendar - having the confidence to challenge our business leaders to prevent change saturation and fatigue.

What We’re Looking for in You:

• Ideally experience in technology led/enabled change (e.g. Salesforce, Oracle Fusion, etc.).
• Deep expertise in one or more Change Management topics, with good overall experience.
• Ideally should have Change Management certification (e.g. Prosci).
• Ability to understand and empathise with individuals and teams affected by the change.
• Understanding of project management principles to integrate change management into project plans.
• Experience and love of coaching more junior team members.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences in teams.
• Excellent listening skills and an ability to empathise.
• Ability to influence others to move towards a common goal.

What You’ll Get in Return:

• A discretionary annual bonus so you can share in the company’s success.
• 25 days paid holiday and an annual holiday buying scheme, with 5 additional days awarded for long service.
• A generous pension scheme - employer contributions between 5% and 11% depending on how much you save.
• Various benefits to support your health and wellbeing including a Healthcare Cash Plan, an Employee Assistance Programme, a Wellbeing platform and a Gym benefit that you can share with your family and friends.
• Enhanced Family Leave including 18 weeks full pay for birthing parents and 4 weeks for non-birthing parents.
• Lots of other great benefits including an annual ShareSave scheme, Employee Life Assurance, a discounts portal and more!

About Unite Students:

Founded in 1991, Unite Students is the UK’s leading provider of purpose-built student accommodation. You can find us in 23 leading university towns and cities, with 70,000 students calling US home! We are driven by our values, culture, and a commitment to develop diverse and inclusive teams, filled with positive energy and new ideas.