Change Management Specialist in FORT SMITH, Arkansas at Summit Utilities

Join our Growing Team and see why Summit Utilities, Inc was named as one of the Fastest Growing Denver Area Private Companies 2019 and 2020; Best Places to Work in Maine 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and Best Places to Work in Arkansas 2020 and 2023, Oklahoma 2022 and 2023 and Missouri 2023. Summit was also recently named one of Forbes 2023 America’s Best Small Employers.

Summit is a growing natural gas utility providing safe, reliable, and clean burning natural gas service to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers, and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Change Management Specialist is responsible for planning, implementing, and supporting organizational change initiatives to ensure successful adoption of new processes, systems, technologies, and organizational structures. This role focuses on the people side of change by minimizing resistance, increasing engagement, and helping employees’ transition effectively during periods of change.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and implement change management strategies and plans that maximize employee adoption and minimize resistance to change.Partner with project managers and business leaders to integrate change management activities into project plans. Conduct change impact assessments, readiness assessments, and stakeholder analyses. Identify risks, resistance points, and performance gaps; develop mitigation strategies to address them. Design, develop, and deliver communication plans, training materials, and engagement activities. Support leaders and managers through coaching and guidance to help reinforce change. Track and measure change adoption, utilization, and effectiveness using defined metrics. Prepare status reports, presentations, and updates for stakeholders and leadership.Tracking, reporting, escalating, and resolving project issues and risks.Reporting project status and progress to senior management and sponsors.Assisting project teams in defining project scope, goals, requirements, approach, and deliverables supporting the business objectives.Working closely with business leads and business analysts in requirements gathering, User Acceptance Testing, and cutover planning.Working with business leads and the Training team in Change Management planning and communication.Coordinating with Business and IT Leads to deliver smaller scope system enhancements and/or resolve system issues via Jira ticketing process. Reviewing current project management procedures, identifying areas for improvement, and working with PMO leadership to implement changes.

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE

Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering, operations, or related field2 years of experience in Change Management, process improvement, operational excellence, and continuous improvementStrong understanding of process mapping, standard work, and improvement methodologiesAbility to work effectively across functional boundariesExperience supporting CI, Lean, or Kaizen initiativesCertifications in Lean and Org Change ManagementFamiliarity with MOC, operational governance, or regulated environmentsExperience partnering with PMO, IT, or transformation teamsBackground in utilities, or operations heavy‑ environments

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES

Change impact and readiness assessmentStakeholder engagement and communicationStrong written and verbal communication skillsRisk identification and mitigationTraining and enablement supportAnalytical and problem‑solving skillsLeadership and Coaching influence

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.

Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home.

Summit Utilities, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability or veteran status.