Job Description
We are seeking an Account Director, Transformation & Change Management to develop and implement human-centered transformation solutions for our clients. This is a role for someone who has passion for bridging the gap between strategy execution and the people side of change by leveraging expertise in organizational communication, culture, leadership, and strategy consulting.
This role offers the opportunity to shape and lead transformational initiatives, partner with senior leaders, and contribute to the growth of our firm’s reputation as a leader in strategy execution and change management.
You will be part of a collaborative team that supports clients from the corporate office to the frontline, leveraging an organization’s brand, culture, vision and history to motivate and align employees to accomplish their business objectives.
What Youll Do
Join us and make a positive impact with some of the worlds most admired brands using your expertise in internal communications, change management, employee engagement, crisis communication, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), business transformation and other types of large-scale organizational change.
Youll make an impact with our clients by
- Developing and leading client solutions and deliverables that meet highly complex project and client needs and result in successful and measurable client strategy execution, at the direction of the Account Lead.
- Managing workstreams and discrete activities in projects that are of moderate complexity, size, and scale.
- Aligning client solutions and deliverables across multiple workstreams.
- Ensuring all work product outputs and deliverables adhere to Gagen MacDonald quality standards.
Youll make an impact with our account teams by
- Leading and supporting project planning, strategic project management, and project risk management by executing on client requirements in required timeframes.
- Supporting or leading account management activities at the direction of the Client Manager, including client onboarding, budgeting, forecasting, planning, invoice management, and account plan maintenance for accounts of moderate size.
- Anticipating client issues and elevating them to the Client Manager.
Youll make an impact at the firm by
- Participating in business expansion, along with other leaders at the firm, by recognizing new opportunities within existing accounts; and developing new relationships with focus on Gagens capabilities and expertise.
- Cultivating, expanding and maintaining professional working relationships with clients, prospects, and industry peers.
- Galvanizing the firm’s thought leadership position by being a driving force for case study content and development.
Key Competencies
It’s not only what we do, it’s how we do it.
Building and maintaining the firm’s reputation and contributing to business success depends on each and every one of us. It requires us to approach everything we do with the core skills and competencies that our firm has become known for in the industry. As a member of the APCO Business Transformation team, you are expected to demonstrate our six core leadership competencies.
- Intellectual Horsepower – Thinks things through carefully and critically before defining issues. Analyzes opportunities and problems from a broad perspective. Anticipates consequences, objections, and impacts before arriving at solutions. Shows curiosity and drive to uncover new data, root causes, new perspectives, and new solutions.
- Dealing with Ambiguity – Sees a path forward in dynamic situations and is able to push ahead despite unknowns. Makes progress and is productive in situations that are not clearly defined and/or may change frequently. Is able to act thoughtfully and productively even when “things are up in the air.”
- Strategic/Conceptual Agility – Takes the initiative to learn/educate themselves quickly when confronted with first-time or unusual problems or concepts. Pulls together varying elements into coherent concepts or strategic views. Simplifies complex initiatives into manageable, actionable steps. Articulately paints credible pictures and visions of likelihoods, possibilities and end states that get clients and co-workers on board.
- Driving for Growth – Continuously drives to identify and build knowledge and skills that can benefit the firm and our clients. Puts new skills and capabilities into practice. Pushes to find and do work outside of the comfort zone. Identifies opportunities to do something extraordinary and does it.
- Interpersonal Chemistry – Instills confidence in his/her abilities immediately with clients and colleagues. Shows empathy toward clients and colleagues, and considers the thoughts, feelings and perspectives of others. Works collaboratively to enhance work quality. Seeks variation in thought, ideas and experience.
- Relationship Building – Establishes and maintains productive relationships with clients and Gagen colleagues built upon inclusivity and collaboration. Demonstrates respect and accountability to colleagues and clients. Manages through differences by direct feedback, effective coaching and mentoring.
Key Qualifications
- 6+ years of corporate, agency or consulting experience in strategy consulting, human capital, transformation, or strategic communications roles with a focus on internal communication, employee engagement, change management, culture change and/or leadership development. Experience consulting to global Fortune 500 corporations is preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, public relations, journalism, psychology or related field, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training. Advanced degree a plus.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and executing transformation and change management plans, including stakeholder engagement, communication strategies, and training.
- Experience working both independently and collaboratively while partnering across organizational functions.
- Experience navigating large, complex organizations.
- Strong writing skills, especially the ability to articulate complex situations or topics simply and in an engaging style.
- ACMP, Prosci, or equivalent change management certification highly valued.
Careers at APCO
Through our recruitment, hiring and retention efforts, APCO is committed to building teams to bring the best possible expertise and robust perspectives to our clients. We embrace differences in experience, viewpoint and ideas, starting with our values and extending to our behaviors, policies and practices. We aim to create a positive work experience and welcoming environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive.
About APCO
ABOUT US
APCO is a global advisory and advocacy firm helping leading corporations, foundations and governments navigate a complex world and create lasting impact.
Founded in 1984, with one woman’s vision and bold action, APCO has grown into an independent, majority women-owned firm of more than 1,200 employees with work spanning 80 markets around the world.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO is comprised of strategic advisers, consultants and creators, working together across borders and functions, to provide services and expertise on financial, competitive, political and societal issues.
APCO is a trusted partner to bold purpose-led leaders, lawmakers, government officials, NGOs, the media and other stakeholders in the health, energy, technology, transportation & infrastructure and food & consumer products sectors. For 40 years, the firm has provided public affairs, crisis & reputation, impact, corporate reputation and global solutions services.
APCO is renowned for its ability to champion clients’ interests and permission to operate , build their reputation and strengthen their standing. APCO’s integrated approach and team of tenacious and empathic talent create connections and winning strategies that accelerate progress and deepen impact.
By bringing diverse people and ideas together, and working beyond traditional boundaries, APCO builds the un/common ground upon which progress is made.