Ascension is seeking a seasoned Supplier Diversity and Public-Sector Procurement Advisor to support the development, operationalization, and performance assessment of a new Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) program for the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC).

This is a mission-critical strategic advisory role for a professional who understands the intersection of procurement policy, socio-economic program goals, internal adoption realities, and legal defensibility. The Advisor will help ensure stakeholder input is translated into an operationally viable program that strengthens how M-NCPPC engages with diverse businesses, while also ensuring the internal procurement workforce can implement, track, and sustain the program over time.

Role Overview

Working at the intersection of policy and practice, the Advisor will serve as a bridge between internal leadership, procurement teams, program offices, and the regional vendor community. This role supports both external engagement and internal execution, ensuring the MBE program moves from “policy on paper” to a functional, measurable, and institutionally adopted program.

You will work alongside project leadership and technical teams to reduce implementation risk, surface operational barriers early, and establish performance measures that support transparency and long-term success.

Key Objectives

• Bridge Policy & Practice: Translate stakeholder feedback and program design concepts into implementable procurement workflows and procedures.
• Support Program Defensibility: Contribute to program recommendations that are operationally sound and legally defensible, informed by local procurement realities in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties.
• Facilitate Stakeholder Alignment: Lead structured engagement with internal decision-makers and vendor community stakeholders to build trust, surface risks, and strengthen adoption.
• Operationalize Internal Execution: Support internal “buy-side” readiness by helping procurement teams integrate MBE participation into day-to-day acquisition planning and execution.
• Measure Program Performance: Establish KPIs and evaluation tools to track MBE participation outcomes, identify gaps, and inform continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Stakeholder Engagement & Facilitation

• Design and execute stakeholder engagement plans involving internal procurement staff, program offices, leadership, and community business organizations.
• Lead structured interviews, focus sessions, and workshops to capture diverse perspectives and identify barriers, opportunities, and implementation risks.
• Document stakeholder input, points of resistance, and consensus themes in a clear, defensible format to inform program design and regulatory revisions.

Procurement & Program Operationalization

• Translate high-level MBE program concepts into practical procurement workflows, procedures, and day-to-day execution guidance.
• Review existing procurement processes to identify systemic barriers to MBE participation (example: bundling practices, insurance thresholds, limited outreach pathways).
• Provide advisory input on how preferences, thresholds, compliance mechanisms, and reporting requirements will function within the existing procurement lifecycle.
• Serve as a subject matter expert to internal stakeholders to resolve operational friction and support consistent implementation.

Change Management & Internal Socialization

• Lead internal socialization and alignment activities to build consensus among procurement staff, program leaders, and department heads.
• Support development and delivery of workshops and guidance materials to help staff understand the mechanics and value of the new MBE program.
• Provide practical recommendations to strengthen institutional adoption and reduce implementation resistance.

Performance Metrics, Reporting & Assessment

• Establish an evaluation framework for measuring MBE program effectiveness post-implementation.
• Develop KPIs, rubrics, and data-informed performance measures aligned to program objectives and compliance needs.
• Analyze internal spend and procurement outcomes to identify participation gaps and improvement opportunities.
• Prepare executive-ready dashboards, reports, and briefing materials summarizing program progress, risks, and outcomes.

Collaboration & Project Support

• Coordinate closely with the Prime Contractor and technical team members to align engagement outcomes and operational recommendations with project milestones.
• Support the integration of engagement findings into final program deliverables, implementation planning, and long-term sustainment strategies.