Risk & Change Lead

Risk & Change Lead

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

Collaboration & Leadership

Desired Skills & Qualifications

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 Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans.

Benefits

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.

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.

What We Offer

Cognizant is one of the world's leading professional services companies, transforming clients' business, operating, and technology models for the digital era. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Headquartered in the U.S., Cognizant (a member of the NASDAQ-100 and one of Forbes World's Best Employers 2025) is consistently listed among the most admired companies in the world. Learn how Cognizant helps clients lead with digital.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.

If you have a disability that requires reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or submit an application, please email CareersNA2@cognizant.com with your request and contact information.

Language requirements vary depending on roles, but we ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you'll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.