Job Description

This job contributes to REI’s success by supporting critical change mitigation activities across the organization for the “Merchandising Planning Transformation” (MPT) Program. This program entails significant technology and business process transformation for the merchandising area of the REI Co-op and is a critical foundational enabler for both the Co-op’s ongoing operations as well as its planned strategic initiatives.

This role would be responsible for identifying, planning, and prioritizing impacts of the transformation. They will partner to create and execute the associated change management and training plans. This person would be responsible for developing change management materials across change, training, communications, and measurement in support of the successful implementation and adoption of industry leading merchandising technology. This person will focus on all sides of change – changes to thinking, philosophy or mindset, ways of working, business processes, and technology changes. This person will partner closely with the Transformation Program Team, Transformation Change Team, REI Strategic Implementation Partners, Program Sponsors, and Stakeholders.

This role models and acts in accordance with REI’s guiding values and mission.

• Lead change management process and methodology to help the organization and leaders anticipate, lead, and embrace changes required by 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 throughout the change process to identify and mitigate risk, create strategies to overcome barriers to change, and 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 in partnership with program change management team, and 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 the implementation and support of change management strategies and impact initiatives across REI in partnership with Strategic implementation partner and under the direction of program leadership by assessing key opportunities (for example, implementation history, change agent capacity, change sponsorship); communicating change management plans to senior management; leveraging resources to implement strategies through cross-functional teams; identifying and leading resolution of opportunities for process improvements and aligning activities with overall plans to ensure successful change management implementation
• Coordinates with change and program teams across the co-op to integrate changes from various initiatives and implementations for manageable consumption by end users

Communication & Engagement

• Conceptualize, manage, and execute communication strategies to create awareness, drive acceptance and adoption
• Manage program communication plan and revise plan throughout the program lifecycle; including stakeholder listings and tracking of participation; ensuring the right audience is included in the right forums and measuring the success of communication efforts
• Partner with REI Strategic Implementation Partners to 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 development of strategy and lead content creation for key in-person and hybrid engagement moments such as program phase kick-offs, recognition, and team events. This includes developing messaging framework and flow, managing communication and partnering closely with program leadership to maximize the power of these moments
• Collaborate across program and cross divisional leaders to gather the needed details required for drafting program communications
• Facilitate two-way flow of organizational communication needed to support leaders as they lead the organization effectively through the change and stakeholders as they engage with change activities
• Serve as expert in REI’s brand standards and support team in consistent execution; partner closely with REI communications team to ensure program comms are in line with organizational leading practices

Learning & Development

• Partner with REI Strategic Implementation Partners to develop and execute training curricula and materials including drafting courseware and managing the class attendees, objectives, 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 deep support for train the trainer program through hands on support for team members conducting training. In partnership with consulting partners as applicable, develop additional training materials to ready trainers to be successful 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 and improve training engagement and relevance using best-practice metrics to measure change adoption, risks and performance

Required Skills

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 & principles, capabilities, processes & practices (retail experience preferred)

Knowledge of project & portfolio management best practices & methodologies

Certification or deep knowledge of ASMP, Prosci, ASTD or Kotter methodologies

Knowledge of PMP, Scrum, Agile & SAFe, Six Sigma methodologies & project frameworks

Experience with MS SharePoint, ERP Systems & Retail or Merchandising-specific systems

Actively participates & collaborates with others on one's own team & across REI for the achievement of business goals. Holds self & 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 decisions.

Considers the ultimate impact of decisions & actions on internal & external customers.

Leads 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 Skills

Experience with HTML & CSS a strong plus

Experience creating blogs, surveys, & interactive sites a strong plus

Experience with Premiere Pro, After Effects, Audacity, & MS Office Macros a plus

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 effectively 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 for a detailed overview of benefits plans by employee profile.

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