Become an in-demand change adoption specialist

Erik Charlotte VonSosen contributed to this blog post.

In business, change is inevitable. Managing change well requires expert oversight to help ensure those affected by a change understand it and its impact. This is where a change adoption specialist can shine.

Change adoption specialists are in demand. An additional 71,000 will be needed globally by 2028, according to research on AI’s impact on the workforce by ServiceNow.

What is a change adoption specialist?

A change adoption specialist is a team-oriented individual who builds relationships with stakeholders, manages transitions, and helps employees adopt changes that will make their work lives better.

The duties of a change adoption specialist include:

• Developing detailed change plans—including stakeholder analysis, communication strategies, and training programs
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams
• Conducting workshops, training sessions, and presentations
• Monitoring change adoption metrics
• Collecting feedback and adjusting strategies to continuously improve

What skills are needed in this role?

A change adoption specialist doesn’t need to understand technical details around change but should be aware of organizational changes and whom they’ll affect. Success in this role requires strong written and oral communication skills, as well as organization and conflict management.

Empathy is vital—being able to listen and relate to people is an important part of effective change management. Problem-solving, data collection, and analytical skills are also helpful.

How AI will affect change adoption specialists

Emerging technologies such as AI and automation are affecting every role. Automation and augmentation can save a change adoption specialist 6.4 hours per week in the U.S., according to our research, resulting in a 14% capacity gain. Of that, 3.8 hours can be saved with generative AI.

These technological advances can free change adoption specialists from mundane tasks associated with gathering metrics, for example, enabling them to lean into the empathetic aspect of the role. Instead of crunching numbers, specialists can focus on collaborating across teams to help ensure smooth transitions.

How to become a change adoption specialist

Becoming a change adoption specialist doesn’t have to be daunting. Anyone can embrace this in-demand role through our Change Adoption Specialist Career Journey. Whether you're just beginning or have years of experience in this area, we can help you grow and flourish.

The career journey is divided into three experience levels, each of which consists of courses, credentials, and activities that you can complete at your own pace. You’ll also be encouraged to engage with the ServiceNow community to connect with others and get answers to any questions you may have.

Coursework covers all the necessities—from the basics of effective communication to crucial project management skills. The career journey can also help you develop career power skills, such as handling difficult conversations and expert negotiation.

Find out more about how you can advance your career.