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:
- 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.
What You’ll Bring to Baird:
- 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.
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Baird is committed to diversity and provides employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, military service, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other status protected by law.
Skills Required
- 1-4 years of professional work experience supporting project or change management activities
- Bachelor's Degree in a related field
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in MS Office (PowerPoint, Excel, Visio, Word, Outlook)
Baird Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Baird and has not been reviewed or approved by Baird.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are positioned as a major strength, including a strong 401(k) with matching and profit-sharing contributions, plus access to financial planning support. Long-term wealth building is further reinforced through employee ownership and stock purchase opportunities.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off benefits are framed as generous, including unlimited PTO in some descriptions, paid holidays, and paid volunteer time. Flex time and work-from-home options are also included as part of the broader work-life package.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, spanning medical, dental, vision, and mental health support, alongside wellness programs and HSA/FSA options. Preventive care and employer contributions toward HSA/deductibles are highlighted as part of the design.
Baird Insights
What We Do
Founded in 1919, Baird has guided families, businesses, communities and institutions toward their financial goals for a century. Today employee-owned Baird offers wealth management, investment banking, asset management, institutional sales and trading, equity research, public finance and private equity services through more than 160 offices in the United States, Europe and Asia. Baird manages and oversees more than $305 billion in assets for clients around the world and employs more than 4,600 associates. Baird has been one of FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For® since 2004, and is committed to policies and practices that provide equal employment opportunity at all times. These non-discriminatory practices apply to all areas of employment including: hiring, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits and educational opportunities. “Baird” is the marketing name for Robert W. Baird & Co., Incorporated and subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide. For more information, please visit www.rwbaird.com.
