Change Manager, People Systems Project

The Open University – People Services Hub

Weekly Working Hours: 37

Fixed Term Contract: End Date: 31 July 2026

Welsh Language: Not Applicable

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role

The Open University’s People Services function is seeking an experienced Change Manager to drive adoption of new systems, AI capabilities, automation (via RPA), and data quality improvements across our People landscape.

Working as part of a cross-functional project team, you will lead the planning and delivery of change and stakeholder communication strategies that enable colleagues to confidently adopt new processes, technologies, and ways of working, ensuring change is embedded and benefits realised.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a clear, outcomes-focused change & communications strategy which aligns to the project objectives and the University’s strategic Internal Communications plan
• Act as the primary change lead, advising senior stakeholders on effective approaches to engagement, communication, and behavioural adoption
• Apply structured change management methodologies and tools (e.g., stakeholder and impact assessments, change readiness planning, benefits tracking)
• Partner with the Head of Change Communications in the Internal Communications team to align activities and maximise the effectiveness of stakeholder and colleague communications
• Partner with project and business leads to embed change activities into delivery plans, ensuring colleagues are ready, willing, and able to adopt new systems and processes.
• Monitor and evaluate change progress, risks, and impacts, adjusting plans to sustain adoption and benefits realisation
• Build and maintain strong relationships across People Services, Digital Services, and wider University teams to promote collaboration and shared ownership of change

About You

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Proven experience applying change management principles, tools, and techniques in large or complex organisations
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to engage at all levels and secure alignment to a shared vision
• Excellent communication and storytelling skills, both written and verbal, tailored to diverse audiences
• Demonstrated ability to support colleagues through change, fostering confidence and adoption
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset, with experience tracking change outcomes and identifying root causes
• Highly organised and proactive, with strong technical proficiency in PowerPoint, Word, Excel, and SharePoint for creating impactful materials
• Flexible, adaptable, and comfortable working in evolving or ambiguous environments
• Committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of work

Desirable

• Professional change management certification
• Experience delivering change in People / HR systems or transformation programmes
• Familiarity with digital transformation, automation, or data-driven projects in a large, complex setting

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that on average you will need to attend the office in Milton Keynes one day every two weeks, and in response to business needs such as unit-wide meetings.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

Interviews will comprise of a formal online interview and an additional pre-interview task which will be sent in advance. We expect interviews to be held in early December.

Early closing date notification

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s) via the ‘Apply’ button above:

• CV
• Supporting statement of up to 1000 words detailing how you meet the essential skills and experience for the role as detailed above.

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.  We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.