Ascension LLC is seeking a senior-level Policy & Compliance Specialist to lead the regulatory interpretation, policy modernization, and COMAR alignment components of a College-wide Procurement Transformation Initiative supporting Frederick Community College.

This role is critical to the success of FCC’s transition from a decentralized procurement environment to a centralized, policy-driven, COMAR-aligned procurement model as outlined.

The Policy & Compliance Specialist will serve as the primary regulatory architect responsible for:

• Interpreting and operationalizing Maryland COMAR Title 21
• Drafting and modernizing procurement policies
• Developing the Procurement Policy Manual
• Creating a COMAR crosswalk
• Strengthening governance and compliance structures
• Supporting audit-ready documentation and controls

The ideal candidate will bring deep experience drafting procurement policies in regulated environments, ideally within Maryland public institutions or higher education settings. The candidate must be confident advising executive leadership, translating regulatory language into operational policy, and supporting change adoption across diverse stakeholder groups.

This is a mission-critical role that ensures the College’s procurement function operates with legal integrity, transparency, and defensibility.

Summary of the Contractor Role

The Policy & Compliance Specialist will support the development of FCC’s centralized procurement governance framework, ensuring full compliance with Maryland COMAR Title 21 and related regulatory requirements.

This role requires an individual who is:

• Highly analytical and detail-oriented
• Skilled in regulatory interpretation
• Comfortable working in structured governance environments
• Capable of translating legal and regulatory language into accessible operational guidance
• Experienced in supporting compliance audits and policy implementation
• Self-driven and effective in complex, multi-phase initiatives

The Specialist will collaborate closely with:

• Project Lead
• Workflow Designer
• Training Lead
• FCC Procurement & Contracts leadership
• Legal counsel

Tools and processes may include:

• COMAR Title 21 regulatory framework
• Policy drafting frameworks
• Governance models and RACI matrices
• Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, SharePoint)
• Process mapping tools
• Compliance documentation repositories
• Section 508 formatting standards

This role directly supports the RFP requirement for policy development and COMAR alignment.

Day-to-Day / Core Activities

The Policy & Compliance Specialist will:

• Interpret and analyze Maryland COMAR Title 21 procurement requirements
• Draft College-wide Procurement Policy aligned to COMAR
• Develop a comprehensive Procurement Policy Manual
• Create a detailed COMAR crosswalk mapping policy provisions to regulatory citations
• Draft procurement procedures and internal governance guidance
• Recommend updates to procurement thresholds, delegations, and approval authorities
• Review and modernize Terms & Conditions libraries for compliance and risk alignment
• Identify compliance checkpoints and audit controls within workflows
• Support development of contract management procedures
• Collaborate with Workflow Designer to ensure regulatory alignment within future-state workflows
• Develop internal compliance documentation and audit-ready artifacts
• Present policy recommendations to executive leadership and steering committees
• Ensure all deliverables meet Section 508 accessibility requirements
• Support SME framework definition and competency standards
• Participate in stakeholder working sessions and governance discussions
• Assist in responding to compliance-related questions during implementation