Organizational Change Management (OCM) Lead

We are looking for the visionaries, the change-makers, the self-starters who are seeking more from their career. Change begins with the small decisions we make, each day, to support each other and strive to create inspiring incredible educational experiences for all students, no matter where they are or how they learn. This concept connects deeply to the idea that, in choosing a career with Yorkville University and Toronto Film School, you will have the opportunity to push boundaries, flex your creativity and inspire positive change for so many people. It's also a call-back to the transformative power of education itself.

Our core values put the student experience at the center of what we do, reflecting who we are and aspire to be. If you want to shine a light on academic excellence, be empowered to make an impact on the transformation of the Canadian post-secondary education landscape, and work collaboratively beyond levels, join us.

Who we need

Reporting to the Director of the Project Management Office (PMO), we have a newly created opportunity for an Organizational Change Management (OCM) Lead. You will be the driving force behind the smooth adoption of high-impact technology projects. You will take full ownership of developing and implementing strategies to achieve project objectives, minimize resistance, and maximize stakeholder engagement during the transition to new systems and processes.

This is a hybrid role, working 2-3 days a week in our downtown Toronto office with the flexibility to work from our Vaughan location as needed.

What's in it for you

A rare opportunity. No other higher education institution in Canada operates on our scale. With an employee base of approximately 2000 staff and faculty and upwards of 15,000 students, you will take on a highly visible role, gaining exposure to stakeholders at every level. You will partner with the majority of departments throughout the organization, gaining insights as you focus on the impact of change on people. This is a chance to be the driving force behind the smooth adoption of technologies and processes that make life easier and more effective for end-users.

Influence. We are an education company that prioritizes training and continuous learning and you will have the chance to leverage our strengths. This is a fulfilling opportunity to be a driver of change working in collaboration with trainers, content creators and marketing to optimize engagement with new solutions.

Career Development. We are disrupting traditional post-secondary education. Yorkville University and Toronto Film School are progressive, forward-thinking institutions. You will be guided and mentored by your manager, a PROSCI certified, in-the-field expert, and Yorkville professor of Project Management. Your next steps here include the chance to move into a Program Manager or another role within the PMO or explore Corporate Development.

As our new Organizational Change Management (OCM) Lead, you will:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive change management strategy. You will design and implement adaptable, user-centered change approaches tailored to each solution's requirements and end-user needs that supports the successful adoption of technical solutions across the organization. Working closely with project teams, leadership, and stakeholders, you will integrate change management activities seamlessly into overall project plans to ensure alignment and effectiveness.
• Leverage insights. You will identify potential resistance to change and develop actionable plans to mitigate risks and address barriers. You will assess the impact of the change on organizational processes, roles, and responsibilities, ensuring alignment between business objectives and employee engagement.
• Champion solutions. You will provide leadership and coaching to senior executives, managers, and teams on the communication of key project milestones, changes, and outcomes. You will create and implement communication strategies to ensure consistent, clear, and effective messaging to all stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. You will develop communication materials, including presentations, newsletters, and FAQs, to keep students, staff, and faculty informed about the project and its benefits.
• Lead the development and delivery of training programs. You will conduct training needs assessments to tailor content for specific stakeholders, ensuring they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the new environment. You will collaborate with subject matter experts and training specialists to create user-friendly training materials, workshops, and e-learning modules. You will monitor the effectiveness of training programs, making adjustments as needed to ensure full adoption of new systems and processes.
• Prioritize engagement. You will build strong relationships with key stakeholders, including executives, department leaders, and end-users, to promote awareness, buy-in, and support for the change initiative. You will facilitate stakeholder workshops and focus groups to gather feedback and ensure that concerns are addressed in the change management approach. You will provide support and guidance to managers in managing the impact of the change on their teams and ensuring a smooth transition.
• Measure the impact. You will track and measure the adoption of new systems and processes, providing insights to leadership on the progress and effectiveness of change initiatives. You will implement reinforcement strategies, including feedback loops and recognition programs, to sustain the change and ensure long-term success. You will conduct post implementation assessments and gather lessons learned to improve future change management efforts.

You have:

• The change management experience. You have a proven track record of managing large-scale change initiatives, particularly for highly technical projects. You have extensive experience in developing and implementing change management strategies, with a focus on driving employee engagement and buy-in. You have an in-depth understanding of change management principles, methodologies, and tools (e.g., Prosci - ADKAR, Kotter). You have an analytical mindset with the ability to assess change impacts and develop actionable strategies to overcome resistance. A postsecondary degree in Organizational Development, Communications, Human Resources, or a related field is preferred.
• The consulting skills. You are deeply familiar with proven project management practices and working in a cross-functional, matrixed environment. You have expertise in building trust with and engaging stakeholders to develop a deep understanding of their business needs. You know how to translate those needs into training, content, and communications needs. You are a proven collaborator, able to bring innovative approaches to design and deliver solutions that meet the needs of a wide range of audiences.
• The leadership. You are insightful, and can demonstrate your understanding of technology changes on people and their work. You know how to inspire and motivate cross functional teams, influencing without authority. You have proven leadership and coaching abilities, able to remove barriers, balance and shift priorities, anticipate and respond to issues, and manage communications and documentation effectively.
• The technical skills. You have an affinity for technology and can learn the purpose and impact of new solutions. You can apply insights and translate technical benefits into practical team specific applications. You are proficient with standard enterprise software tools, including Microsoft Office Suite. You can manage, analyze, and interpret data.
• The interpersonal skills. You have exceptional oral and written communication skills. You can build trusting, influential relationships with diverse stakeholders, including funders, academic leaders, faculty, students, alumni, regulatory bodies, and industry partners. You have the emotional intelligence, business acumen and maturity to manage conflict, exercise diplomacy, practice discretion, and apply constructive feedback.

Why work at Yorkville University?

• An atmosphere that successfully blends an entrepreneurial culture with education. We value innovation and continuously look towards expanding our programming, working with the latest research, tools and solutions. As a private school with government approval of our offerings, we have the opportunity to do more, stay current and be future-forward.
• The chance to accelerate your career and disrupt education by responding to the needs you see and purposefully challenging the status quo. Everything we do here is about delighting and engaging our employees - and ultimately our students- from mentorship to teaching, from creative outlets to analytical ones.
• A place where all individuals feel welcomed in the academic and workplace environments and can bring their authentic selves to the educational and work spheres. We celebrate the full range of human diversity and we acknowledge that equal access to opportunities and services may require the removal of barriers that equity-seeking communities experience in trying to obtain this access.
• The opportunity to grow with access to free courses, certifications and programs - right up to our Masters' offerings.
• An appreciation for the insights and skills you bring to work with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits, including a wide breadth of wellness services and a work-life balance.

Join us

We welcome and appreciate candidates with a range of backgrounds and experiences. If you have 70% of the qualifications we are looking for, express your interest.

What you can expect from our hiring process:

• A virtual interview with a Talent Advisor discussing your interest in the role and your professional experience.
• An interview with the Director, PMO to share more details on your experience in change management.
• An interview with the CIO to further discuss your approach to cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management and engagement.

Diversity, equity and inclusion are a critical component of life at Yorkville University and Toronto Film School and we are committed to making these values an integral part of our culture. We encourage applications from all qualified applicants, including women, persons with disabilities, Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), people from the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Transsexual, Queer, Questioning, Two-Spirit, Intersex, Asexual + (LGBTQ2SIA+) community and other equity-seeking groups.

Yorkville University is committed to providing accessible employment practices that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act ('AODA'). If you require accommodation for disability, please notify Human Resources at [redacted].

#LI-Hybrid
#LI-DNI