What are the responsibilities and job description for the Strategic Change Office Analyst position at Baird?
About The Role
The Strategic Change Office (SCO) provides project and change management leadership on the firm’s highest‑priority, complex improvement initiatives, requiring a strategic, big‑picture mindset and playing a critical role in fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. SCO projects typically span multiple departments or business units, where the team brings both structured leadership and a neutral perspective to help stakeholders navigate high‑impact challenges. This role offers broad visibility across the firm, the opportunity to work alongside a high‑performing, collaborative, and supportive team, and exposure to diverse areas of the business that support ongoing professional growth. The firm’s unique culture values diverse backgrounds and perspectives while emphasizing teamwork, partnership, and flexibility through a hybrid work schedule.
The Impact You’ll Make
The Strategic Change Office (SCO) provides project and change management leadership on the firm’s highest‑priority, complex improvement initiatives, requiring a strategic, big‑picture mindset and playing a critical role in fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. SCO projects typically span multiple departments or business units, where the team brings both structured leadership and a neutral perspective to help stakeholders navigate high‑impact challenges. This role offers broad visibility across the firm, the opportunity to work alongside a high‑performing, collaborative, and supportive team, and exposure to diverse areas of the business that support ongoing professional growth. The firm’s unique culture values diverse backgrounds and perspectives while emphasizing teamwork, partnership, and flexibility through a hybrid work schedule.
The Impact You’ll Make
- Assist with day-to-day execution of strategic initiatives and high-complexity projects under the direction of an SCO manager.
- Support stakeholder engagement by helping build and maintain relationships.
- Draft initial versions of client deliverables and presentation materials for review.
- Assist in developing project and change management plans, creating initial drafts for manager approval.
- Prepare draft communications and templates for leadership and stakeholders.
- Coordinate project tasks, schedules, and resources as directed.
- Schedule and organize meetings for assigned projects.
- Support status update meetings by preparing materials and capturing notes.
- Prepare and distribute agendas and recaps for assigned meetings.
- Update and maintain project and change management plans, tracking activities and progress with guidance.
- Assist in gathering and analyzing data, identifying patterns and key themes under supervision.
- Provide support for ad hoc projects, special requests, and team activities as needed.
- 1-4 years of professional work experience; supporting project or change management activities preferred.
- Bachelor’s Degree required in a related field.
- Possesses strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and reliability; demonstrates a drive for continuous improvement
- Comfortable working in ambiguous situations with guidance.
- Demonstrates professional presence and basic understanding of business concepts; eager to learn and grow.
- Collaborative, team-oriented approach with a willingness to take initiative.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; able to apply concepts with guidance.
- Proficient in MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Visio, Word, Outlook) and has the ability to learn quickly.