Change Readiness Lead

This job helps REI succeed by supporting important change activities for the "Merchandising Planning Transformation" (MPT) Program. This program involves major technology and business process changes in REI Co-op's merchandising area. It is a key foundation for the Co-op's daily operations and future strategic plans.

This role is responsible for identifying, planning, and prioritizing impacts of the transformation. They will partner to create and execute change management and training plans. This person will develop change management materials for change, training, communications, and measurement. These materials support the successful use of industry-leading merchandising technology. This person will focus on all sides of change. This includes changes to thinking, philosophy, mindset, ways of working, business processes, and technology. This person will work closely with the Transformation Program Team, Transformation Change Team, REI Strategic Implementation Partners, Program Sponsors, and Stakeholders.

• Lead the change management process and methods to help the organization and leaders anticipate, manage, and accept changes needed for the Merchandising Planning Transformation
• Be the leading advocate for people during technology and process transformation
• Partner and provide coaching to executive leadership, managers, co-op teams, and program team members during the change process. Help identify and reduce adoption risks. Create strategies to overcome barriers to change. Ensure successful adoption of new capabilities
• Assess the change impact, conduct impact analyses, assess change readiness, and identify key stakeholders
• Define success and adoption metrics. Monitor change progress with the program change management team. Suggest mitigation strategies for low adoption rates.
• Provide status updates and dashboards using best-practice metrics to guide the team in measuring change adoption, risks, and performance
• Ensure the understanding and adoption of common methodology and standards related to change management, communication processes or process improvements
• Partner with transformation change management team to collaborate and go further together to drive change within organization
• Develop and direct change management strategies and impact initiatives across REI. Partner with the Strategic implementation partner and program leadership. Assess key opportunities, such as implementation history, change agent capacity, and change sponsorship
• Communicate change management plans to senior management. Use resources to implement strategies through cross-functional teams. Identify and manage process improvement opportunities. Align activities with overall plans to ensure successful change management implementation
• Coordinates with change and program teams across the co-op. Integrates changes from different initiatives for manageable consumption by end users

Communication & Engagement

• Conceptualize, manage, and execute communication strategies to create awareness, drive acceptance and adoption
• Manage the program communication plan and update it during the program lifecycle. Track stakeholder lists and their participation. Ensure the right audience is included in the correct forums. Measure the success of communication efforts
• Create engaging communication and engagement materials for our program and REI internal communication platforms
• Translate complex and/or technical ideas into easily understood language for broad audiences
• Support strategy development and manage content creation for key in-person and hybrid events. These include program phase kick-offs, recognition, and team events. Develop messaging framework and flow. Manage communication and partner closely with program leadership to maximize the impact of these moments
• Collaborate across program and cross divisional managers to gather the needed details required for drafting program communications
• Facilitate two-way communication to support leaders as they guide the organization through change. Support stakeholders as they engage with change activities
• Serve as an expert in REI's brand standards and support the team in consistent execution. Partner closely with the REI communications team to ensure program communications follow organizational best practices

Learning & Development

• Partner with REI Strategic Implementation Partners to develop and execute training curricula and materials. Draft courseware and manage class attendees, goals, and deliverables
• Support training efforts, provide input, document requirements and support the design, coordination, and delivery of training programs
• Work as liaison within the Learning and Development team and other HR and co-op change teams as needed
• Provide support for the train the trainer program. Offer hands-on help to team members who conduct training. Work with consulting partners when needed. Create materials to help trainers succeed in leading the organization through change
• Create digital interactive user interfaces such as e-learning, system simulations, videos, surveys, SharePoint sites and HTML emails
• Provide status updates and dashboards to evaluate training engagement and relevance. Use best-practice metrics to measure change adoption, risks, and performance

Required Skills & Experience

• 7+ years of change management experience in the areas of: communications, stakeholder engagement, training, adoption/change measurement, leadership engagement/development
• 5+ years experience developing & delivering change & training classes & materials
• Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in organizational development, communications or related field
• 3+ years exceptional experience in project & change management skills in scoping, designing & delivering business transformation activities
• Proficiency in the following software: PowerPoint, Word, Excel, SharePoint (lists & layout), Photoshop, Illustrator, Articulate Rise & Storyline, Camtasia
• Experience working on enterprise-wide initiatives or projects for complex organizations
• Effective & articulate communication in all modes & all levels in an organization including large presentations, training & facilitation experience
• Knowledge of standard retail & standards, capabilities, processes & practices (retail experience preferred)
• Knowledge of project & portfolio management best practices & methodologies
• Experience with MS SharePoint, ERP Systems & Retail or Merchandising-specific systems
• Purposefully participates and collaborates with others on one's own team and across REI to achieve business goals. Holds self and others accountable for results
• Flexible in one's viewpoints & positions in order to support the direction taken by others at REI
• Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, & sound judgment in solving problems or the pursuit of business opportunities
• Consolidates information from various sources including feedback from others to reach sound conclusions
• Considers the ultimate impact of conclusions & actions on internal & external customers
• Guides by setting effective work goals, establishing priorities, & planning to produce quality work
• Uses resources efficiently, meets deadlines, & keeps others informed of work plans & progress toward goals
• Epitomizes & champions a positive approach to change, growth, learning & development
• Demonstrates courage & conviction but knows when to yield

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with HTML & CSS
• Experience creating blogs, surveys, & interactive sites
• Experience with Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audacity, & MS Office Macros
• Knowledge of UI/UX design, Branding/Templates, and marketing
• Experience with Smartsheet & project planning

At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all. We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization. We know that there's strength in our diversity – that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you're backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn.  

Pay Transparency 

We are committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, REI provides a range of compensation for roles that may be hired in locations under these requirements. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include a wide array of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic location or other relevant factors.   

REI offers all regular employees a generous employee discount, access to health benefits, a retirement savings plan and accrued time off.  Click here for a detailed overview of benefits plans by employee profile.