Ascension LLC is seeking a detail-oriented Business Analyst / Operations Research Analyst to support early-phase cost estimation and requirements analysis activities for federal IT and program initiatives. This role is critical in translating technical requirements into structured cost elements, ensuring alignment between stakeholder needs, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), and cost estimation models.

The ideal candidate thrives in front-end analytical environments, where ambiguity is high and structure must be created. This role plays a foundational part in shaping cost models, acquisition strategies, and program baselines, directly impacting the success of downstream cost estimating, budgeting, and program execution efforts.

This position is best suited for professionals with strengths in requirements elicitation, analytical thinking, and structured problem solving, who are comfortable working with program managers, engineers, and cost estimators to define the “what” and “how” before costing begins.

Summary of the Contractor Role

The Operations Research / Management Analyst I will support requirements intake, stakeholder engagement, and WBS alignment activities that inform IT and program cost estimation efforts. This role is heavily focused on the early lifecycle phase, requiring the ability to break down complex technical scope into discrete, measurable, and cost-ready components.

The ideal candidate is:

• Highly organized and structured in thinking
• Able to translate qualitative input into quantitative frameworks
• Comfortable working in fast-paced, evolving environments
• Skilled at anticipating gaps and clarifying requirements proactively
• Capable of supporting multiple stakeholders while maintaining analytical rigor

This role supports the customer by enabling:

• Clear definition of scope prior to cost modeling
• Standardization of inputs for cost estimating tools (e.g., SEER, Excel-based models)
• Alignment between technical teams and financial/cost teams
• Reduction of downstream rework due to unclear requirements

Tools and processes leveraged may include:

• Microsoft Excel (advanced)
• PowerPoint for stakeholder briefings
• Requirements tracking tools (e.g., SharePoint, JIRA, Excel trackers)
• WBS development frameworks
• Cost estimation inputs and templates
• Data analysis and documentation best practices

Day-to-Day / Expected Activities

• Elicit requirements from stakeholders, SMEs, and technical teams
• Analyze technical scope and decompose into WBS-aligned cost elements
• Develop structured requirements documentation and traceability matrices
• Translate business and technical inputs into cost estimation inputs
• Facilitate stakeholder meetings, workshops, and requirements sessions
• Document assumptions, constraints, and dependencies impacting cost
• Support cost estimators by preparing clean, structured input datasets
• Review and validate requirements for completeness and accuracy
• Coordinate across program, technical, and financial teams
• Prepare briefing materials and analytical summaries for leadership
• Identify risks, gaps, and inconsistencies in early-phase planning
• Maintain organized documentation repositories and version control