There is a trend now that coincides, not a coincidence I think, with the change in the economy, of creating an internal role responsible for change in the organization.
I say disturbing not for the role creation (I laud that) but for the fact that those that I have seen posted- Farmers, Best Buy, Juniper Networks to name a few- are all Director roles. This indicates that the positions are seen as project management roles rather than strategic people positions. Not a pretty picture (and if you are a first horizontal executive considering this, take time to consider the picture before you start the artwork). One of the three now has changed the position to a Senior Director role and posted for a Director (as least they realized after the fact that they started too low in the hierarchy).
A reassuring trend would be to see this role tied in some way with innovation (Head of Innovation is one those fill-the-gaps roles appearing lately) and with the two letters VP attached.
There may well have been external influence that led to these posts. The roles could be change managers/agents as opposed to change management consultants. They could be in the final stages of creating the structure for an internal change entity, or not. The descriptions however said otherwise.
What could be the impetus, considering this is happening in this kind of tight business environment, is that resources have been pared down too much, cost savings are front and center for decisions, short term quick fixes rule and they are looking for a knight/lady in shining amour. Putting that savior in front of the charge is a quick way to make them either disappear or be ineffectual.
Considering the current environment it makes more sense to bring in an external to fill this role if you are not ready to do it with a long term view. They are used to leading the, often bruising, charge. (Ever noticed charge and change only need one letter switch- OK my first official digression…). If they are willing to overlook the whole system needs of change management they might actually provide the quick fixes so popular now. They could turn out to be the person who fills the Director role later when things “pick up”(created after the VP, of course).