Job Description

Overview

Cognizant is a leading provider IT and BPO services, providing critical initiatives to a variety of global clients. The Risk & Change Lead is responsible for establishing and driving the risk and change management framework across client and internal operations. This role ensures that business processes, staffing operations, and delivery practices are resilient, compliant, and continuously improved.

Acting as the operational bridge between clients, internal teams, and field operations, the Lead proactively identifies risks, assesses impacts, and implements structured mitigation and change strategies ensuring business continuity and client satisfaction.

This position requires a strategic yet hands-on leader who can influence without authority, guide change in dynamic project environments, and coach teams to adopt a risk-aware and improvement-driven mindset. Please note that this role is fully onsite in Palo Alto. Only local candidates will be considered .

Role Responsibilities

Risk Management

• Develop, implement, and maintain a risk management framework aligned with operational delivery models and client requirements.
• Identify, assess, and monitor operational, safety, compliance, and resource risks across field and desk projects.
• Lead risk assessments during project onboarding, transitions, and delivery phases.
• Define and maintain a risk register, ensuring timely updates and mitigations.
• Facilitate root cause analysis (RCA) and lessons learned sessions after incidents or escalations.
• Partner with clients and internal stakeholders to align on risk controls and response plans.

Change Management

• Design and execute change management plans to support new processes, technologies, and client requirements.
• Conduct impact assessments and stakeholder analyses for operational or system changes.
• Develop communication and training materials to support adoption of new ways of working.
• Ensure change initiatives are tracked, evaluated, and embedded into standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Drive continuous improvement through feedback loops and structured change reviews.

Collaboration & Leadership

• Act as a trusted advisor to client and internal leaders on operational risk and change readiness.
• Mentor and support the Risk & Change Coordinator in implementing day-to-day activities.
• Report risk and change metrics to senior management and clients.
• Promote a culture of risk awareness, transparency, and operational accountability

Desired Skills & Qualifications

• At least a Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or a related field.
• 58 years of experience in risk management, change management, or operational governance roles.
• Background in supply chain, manufacturing, managed services
• Professional certifications preferred: Prosci, PMP, PRINCE2, ISO 31000, or Lean Six Sigma.
• Experience working with field-based or multi-client operational environments.
• Strong understanding of risk management and change frameworks (ISO 31000, Prosci, or ITIL).
• Experience in business operations, preferably in consulting, staffing, or field services contexts.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, able to influence cross-functional and client teams.
• Ability to work independently in fast-paced, multi-project environments.
• Proven experience facilitating workshops, risk reviews, or impact assessments.
• Familiarity with operational tools and Google Suite.

Hourly Rate and Other Compensation

The annual salary for this position is between $109,000 - $126,000 depending on experience and other qualifications of the successful candidate.

This position is also eligible for Cognizants discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizants applicable plans.

Benefits

Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Disclaimer: The hourly rate, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

LA County (only): Qualified applicants with arrest and/or conviction records will be considered for employment.

Cognizant will only consider applicants for this position who are legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring company sponsorship now or at any time in the future.

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