Careers
Ascension LLC is seeking a Senior Acquisition Specialist / Lead (Procurement Advisor) to serve as a strategic advisor and lead acquisition expert supporting federal procurement lifecycle activities. This role is critical to ensuring that acquisition strategies, documentation, and execution align with federal regulations, mission priorities, and program outcomes.
The ideal candidate is a senior-level acquisition professional with deep expertise in FAR-based contracting, acquisition planning, and procurement advisory services, capable of leading complex acquisition efforts from pre-award through post-award phases. This individual will play a key role in shaping acquisition strategies, improving procurement processes, and supporting program offices in achieving compliant, efficient, and mission-aligned contracting outcomes.
This role directly supports enterprise-level acquisition operations and contributes to improving procurement efficiency, reducing risk, and enhancing program performance across federal initiatives.
Position Summary
The Senior Acquisition Specialist / Lead will provide end-to-end acquisition lifecycle support, including acquisition planning, SOW/PWS development, market research, evaluation support, and process improvement initiatives. The role requires a highly analytical, detail-oriented professional who can operate in a fast-paced, ambiguous federal environment while advising stakeholders and leading acquisition efforts.
The ideal candidate brings:
- Strong knowledge of FAR, DFARS (if applicable), and federal procurement policies
- Experience supporting program offices, CORs, and contracting officers
- Ability to translate mission needs into acquisition strategies and documentation
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
This individual must be self-driven, solutions-oriented, and capable of managing multiple acquisition actions simultaneously while maintaining compliance and quality.
Ascension brings proven experience supporting acquisition lifecycle management, business process improvement, and program support across DHS and DOE environments, delivering measurable improvements in procurement efficiency and compliance .
Key Responsibilities / Day-to-Day Activities
- Lead acquisition planning activities, including development of acquisition strategies and timelines
- Develop Statements of Work (SOW), Performance Work Statements (PWS), and Independent Government Cost Estimates (IGCEs)
- Conduct market research and vendor analysis to support acquisition decisions
- Support source selection activities, including evaluation criteria development and proposal reviews
- Advise program managers, CORs, and contracting officers on acquisition best practices and compliance requirements
- Coordinate acquisition package development and ensure completeness and accuracy
- Track acquisition milestones and maintain acquisition lifecycle documentation
- Facilitate acquisition review boards, strategy sessions, and stakeholder meetings
- Analyze procurement processes and recommend improvements for efficiency and compliance
- Develop briefing materials, reports, and executive-level presentations
- Ensure all acquisition activities comply with FAR and agency-specific policies
- Support post-award activities, including contract administration and performance monitoring
- Identify risks and develop mitigation strategies across acquisition lifecycle activities
Job Features
| Job Category | Acquisition & Contract Management |
| Minimum Requirements | Bachelor’s degree in Business, Acquisition, Contracting, Public Administration, or related field |
| Required Skills | 10+ years of federal acquisition experience | Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) | Strong experience supporting federal program offices and contracting teams |
| Technical Skills | Demonstrated expertise in FAR and federal procurement regulations | Experience developing PWS/SOW, IGCEs, acquisition plans, and market research reports | Experience supporting pre-award and post-award acquisition activities | Strong experience supporting federal program offices and contracting teams | Excellent written and verbal communication skills | Ability to manage multiple acquisition actions simultaneously |
| Desired Skills | Master’s degree in a related field | Experience supporting DHS, DOE, or other civilian federal agencies | Experience with acquisition systems (e.g., PRISM, SAP, Momentum, or similar) | Experience in business process improvement or acquisition transformation initiatives | Familiarity with category management and strategic sourcing | Experience supporting large-scale or enterprise acquisition programs | Knowledge of data analytics tools (Power BI, Excel advanced analytics) | Experience supporting Agile or hybrid acquisition environments |
| Sustainability Requirements | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust (Medium Risk) | U.S. Citizenship required |
Ascension LLC is seeking a Project Manager / Task Order Manager to lead and oversee the execution of a federal acquisition and program support contract. This role is critical to ensuring successful contract performance, stakeholder alignment, and delivery of high-quality program management and reporting services.
The ideal candidate is a federal program management professional with demonstrated experience supporting acquisition environments, contract oversight, and multi-stakeholder coordination. This individual will serve as the primary interface between Ascension and the Government, ensuring that all contract deliverables, schedules, and performance expectations are met.
This role is essential to maintaining contract compliance, operational transparency, and mission success, while enabling technical staff to execute task-level activities efficiently.
Position Summary
The Project Manager / Task Order Manager provides overall leadership, coordination, and oversight for contract execution. This includes performance monitoring, reporting, quality control plan (QCP) management, and stakeholder engagement.
The ideal candidate is:
- A detail-oriented and organized leader with strong communication skills
- Able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced federal environment
- Proactive in identifying risks and implementing mitigation strategies
- Comfortable operating in ambiguous environments with minimal oversight
- Skilled at translating technical execution into executive-level insights
This role supports mission-critical activities such as program oversight, acquisition support coordination, reporting, and governance, leveraging tools such as Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Power BI, and project tracking systems.
Ascension’s experience supporting DHS FPS and DOE CESER demonstrates our strength in program management, stakeholder engagement, and acquisition lifecycle support, which directly informs this role’s execution approach .
Key Responsibilities / Day-to-Day Activities
- Lead overall contract and task order execution, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, and performance objectives
- Serve as the primary point of contact (POC) for the Government COR and stakeholders
- Develop and maintain project management plans, schedules, and status reports
- Manage and implement the Quality Control Plan (QCP) and performance metrics
- Coordinate and facilitate kickoff meetings, status meetings, and stakeholder briefings
- Monitor contract deliverables, milestones, and risk registers
- Identify risks and issues; develop and implement mitigation strategies
- Oversee interchange meetings and communication plans
- Ensure compliance with FAR, agency policies, and contractual requirements
- Support acquisition-related coordination activities and reporting requirements
- Prepare executive-level briefings, dashboards, and performance reports
- Coordinate across functional teams to ensure integrated service delivery
- Track and report on KPIs, SLAs, and contract performance indicators
- Ensure proper documentation and knowledge management practices
Job Features
| Job Category | Project Management |
| Minimum Requirements | Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Public Administration, Management, or related field |
| Required Skills | 8+ years of experience in federal program or project management |
| Technical Skills | Demonstrated experience supporting federal contracts (prime or subcontract) | Strong knowledge of FAR and acquisition lifecycle processes | Experience managing multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholders Proficiency in: Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word) | Microsoft Teams / SharePoint | Project management tools (MS Project or equivalent) Experience developing: Project plans, Status reports, Executive briefings, Strong written and verbal communication skills, Ability to manage multiple priorities with minimal supervision |
| Desired Skills | PMP (Project Management Professional) Certification | Experience supporting Treasury, DHS, or similar federal agencies | Experience with Quality Control Plans (QCP) and performance metrics frameworks | Familiarity with Power BI, Power Platform, or data visualization tools | Experience supporting Agile or hybrid project management environments | Experience in acquisition support or procurement operations | Master’s Degree in a related field |
| Sustainability Requirements | Ability to obtain and maintain Public Trust (Medium Risk) | U.S. Citizenship required |
Ascension LLC is seeking highly experienced Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) with deep domain expertise in behavioral health, disability policy, aging, long-term care, and human services programs to support the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE).
These SMEs play a critical advisory and analytical role in supporting policy analysis, research validation, expert panel participation, and specialized technical input across a wide range of high-visibility federal initiatives. This is an on-demand, non-full-time role designed for seasoned professionals who bring recognized expertise and thought leadership in their respective disciplines.
This position is ideal for professionals who want to influence national policy, contribute to high-impact research, and support evidence-based decision-making while working in a flexible, project-based capacity.
Position Summary
The Subject Matter Expert (SME) provides specialized expertise, advisory support, and technical validation across analytic and research activities supporting ASPE’s Behavioral Health, Disability, Aging Policy (BHDAP) and Human Services Policy (HSP) offices.
SMEs will contribute to rapid-turnaround policy analyses, literature reviews, data interpretation, and expert convenings, ensuring that deliverables reflect current research, policy relevance, and methodological rigor.
The ideal candidate is:
- A recognized expert in their domain (academic, policy, or applied research)
- Comfortable working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
- Able to translate complex research into actionable policy insights
- Experienced in federal policy landscapes, Medicaid/Medicare, or human services systems
SMEs will support short-term, high-impact engagements, including:
- Technical memoranda
- Research briefs
- Policy papers
- Expert panel participation
- Validation of analytic findings
Day-to-Day / On-Demand Activities
- Provide subject matter expertise in assigned domain areas (behavioral health, disability, aging, LTSS, human services)
- Review and validate policy analyses, research findings, and technical deliverables
- Participate in expert panels, roundtables, and technical convenings
- Advise project teams on methodologies, data interpretation, and policy implications
- Contribute to literature reviews and environmental scans
- Support development of research briefs, white papers, and reports
- Provide written and verbal input for policy recommendations
- Collaborate with analysts and project teams to refine research approaches
- Evaluate emerging policy issues and trends
- Ensure deliverables align with federal standards, evidence-based practices, and current research
Job Features
| Job Category | Administrative Support |
| Minimum Requirements | Master’s degree required; PhD strongly preferred in Public Policy, Public Health, Health Economics, Social Work, Sociology, or related field |
| Required Skills | 10–15+ years of relevant experience in one or more of the following: Behavioral health policy , Disability and aging policy, Long-term services and supports (LTSS) | Human services programs | Health economics (Medicare/Medicaid), Federal or state policy research |
| Technical Skills | Strong knowledge of federal policy frameworks and programs Experience with research methodologies and policy analysis Familiarity with survey and administrative data analysis Ability to interpret quantitative and qualitative research findings |
| Desired Skills | Prior experience supporting HHS, ASPE, CMS, ACF, or similar agencies | Experience participating in or leading expert panels or advisory boards Familiarity with: Medicare and Medicaid policy | Behavioral health systems and workforce issues | Aging and dementia-related policy | Poverty measurement and human services delivery systems Strong ability to translate technical findings into policy-relevant insights | Experience contributing to Congressional reports or federal briefings | Knowledge of data visualization or analytical tools (e.g., R, Stata, SAS, Power BI) |
| Sustainability Requirements | Public Trust (Medium Risk) – Preferred | Must be eligible to work on federal contracts | Ability to handle sensitive but unclassified (SBU) information |
Ascension LLC is seeking a Data Management / Data Access Specialist to support policy and data analysis efforts for a federal client within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically supporting ASPE’s Behavioral Health, Disability, Aging, and Human Services policy initiatives.
This role is critical to ensuring that secure, compliant, and high-quality data is accessible for policy analysis, research, and reporting. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented data professional who understands federal data governance requirements, CMS data access processes, and secure data handling in regulated environments.
This position plays a foundational role in enabling data-driven policy insights, supporting activities such as CMS data acquisition (DUAs), VRDC access, and preparation of datasets for advanced analytics and reporting.
Position Summary
The Data Management / Data Access Specialist will support the full lifecycle of data access, governance, preparation, and compliance. This includes managing CMS Data Use Agreements (DUAs), coordinating access to restricted datasets (e.g., VRDC), ensuring compliance with federal privacy and security requirements, and preparing structured datasets for analysts and policy teams.
The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of data governance, federal data access protocols, and secure data environments, along with the ability to operate in a fast-paced, quick-turnaround analytical environment.
This role requires someone who is:
- Highly organized and detail-oriented
- Self-driven and capable of working with minimal oversight
- Skilled at navigating ambiguous data access requirements
- Proactive in identifying risks related to data privacy, security, and compliance
- Able to manage multiple data requests and deadlines simultaneously
The candidate will support mission-critical work that enables timely policy analysis, research outputs, and decision-making for federal leadership.
Key Responsibilities / Day-to-Day Activities
- Prepare and manage CMS Data Use Agreements (DUAs) and data access documentation
- Coordinate with ResDAC and federal stakeholders to obtain access to CMS VRDC and other restricted datasets
- Ensure compliance with federal data privacy, security, and data release policies (HIPAA, HHS, CMS)
- Develop and maintain data governance procedures and documentation
- Prepare, clean, and structure datasets for analysis (survey data, administrative data, claims data)
- Validate data integrity, completeness, and consistency prior to analysis
- Support data linkage efforts between survey and administrative datasets
- Maintain secure data environments and enforce access controls
- Track and manage data access requests, approvals, and renewals
- Collaborate with analysts, policy staff, and project teams to support data needs
- Document data sources, methodologies, and transformation processes
- Support audits and compliance reviews related to data usage
- Develop data dictionaries, metadata documentation, and data management plans
- Identify and mitigate risks related to data handling and storage
Job Features
| Job Category | Data Analysis and Analytics |
| Minimum Requirements | Bachelor’s Degree in Data Science, Public Health, Statistics, Information Systems, or related field |
| Required Skills | 5–8 years of relevant experience in data management, data governance, or data access support | Experience working with large administrative or survey datasets | Strong documentation and organizational skills |
| Technical Skills | Experience working with CMS data, ResDAC, or VRDC environments Strong understanding of Data Use Agreements (DUAs) and federal data access processes | Knowledge of data privacy and security regulations (HIPAA, HHS policies, CMS requirements) Experience preparing datasets for analysis (cleaning, transformation, validation) Proficiency with tools such as: SQL , Excel (advanced)SAS, R, or Python (preferred) |
| Desired Skills | Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Data Analytics, Public Health, or related field | Experience supporting federal health or human services programs Familiarity with datasets such as: Medicare/Medicaid claims NHATS, HRS, MCBS | Experience with data governance frameworks and data lifecycle management | Knowledge of Section 508 compliance considerations for data outputs | Experience using secure data enclaves or restricted data environments | Certifications (preferred but not required): Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP)| Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP) |
| Sustainability Requirements | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust (Medium Risk | Must comply with all federal data security and privacy requirements |
Ascension LLC is seeking a highly organized and proactive Stakeholder Engagement & Logistics Coordinator to support a federal client within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). This role is critical to ensuring the successful planning, coordination, and execution of expert convenings, stakeholder engagements, and policy-focused meetings that directly inform national-level policy decisions.
The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced, mission-driven environment and brings strong coordination, communication, and logistics management experience. This individual will play a key role in supporting expert panels, facilitating stakeholder collaboration, and ensuring seamless execution of both virtual and in-person engagements aligned with behavioral health, disability, aging, and human services policy initiatives .
This position is well-suited for professionals with experience in federal program support, event coordination, or policy/program operations who are detail-oriented, adaptable, and capable of managing multiple priorities with minimal oversight.
Position Summary
The Stakeholder Engagement & Logistics Coordinator provides end-to-end coordination support for meetings, expert panels, and stakeholder engagement activities. This includes scheduling, travel coordination, virtual platform management, preparation of materials, and post-event documentation.
The role supports Task 4 (Expert Convenings) and Task 5 (Dissemination Support) by ensuring that engagements are executed efficiently, are accessible, and result in high-quality outputs such as summaries, briefs, and communications materials.
The ideal candidate is:
- Highly organized and detail-oriented
- Self-driven and able to operate in ambiguous environments
- Skilled in anticipating issues and proactively resolving them
- Strong in written and verbal communication
- Experienced with collaboration tools and virtual event platforms
This role directly supports the client’s ability to convene experts, gather insights, and disseminate findings to inform policy decisions.
Key Responsibilities / Day-to-Day Activities
- Coordinate logistics for expert panels, meetings, and stakeholder engagements (virtual and in-person)
- Schedule meetings and manage calendars across multiple stakeholders and time zones
- Arrange travel, lodging, and reimbursements in compliance with federal travel regulations
- Prepare meeting materials including agendas, briefing documents, presentations, and participant packets
- Facilitate virtual meetings using platforms such as Zoom, WebEx, or Microsoft Teams
- Manage participant communications, invitations, confirmations, and follow-ups
- Develop meeting summaries, notes, and post-event reports
- Support accessibility compliance (e.g., Section 508, accommodations for disabilities)
- Maintain stakeholder contact lists and engagement trackers
- Assist in development of dissemination materials such as briefs, toolkits, and communications products
- Track action items and ensure timely completion of deliverables
- Collaborate with analysts and policy staff to ensure alignment of meeting outputs with project goals
Job Features
| Job Category | Health & Clinical Program Support, Project Management |
| Minimum Requirements | Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Communications, Business, or related field |
| Required Skills | 3–6 years of relevant experience in program coordination, stakeholder engagement, or event logistics |
| Technical Skills | Experience supporting federal programs or government clients preferred | Strong organizational and time management skills Experience coordinating meetings, workshops, or conferences | Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) | Experience with virtual collaboration tools (Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams) | Strong written communication skills (meeting summaries, emails, briefing materials) | Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines |
| Desired Skills | Experience supporting HHS or similar federal health/human services agencies Familiarity with policy, research, or evaluation environments | Experience supporting expert panels or advisory groups (FACA familiarity is a plus) | Knowledge of Section 508 accessibility requirements | Experience with tools such as Eventbrite, Miro, Mentimeter, or similar collaboration platforms PMP, CAPM, or Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) certification (preferred but not required)| Experience supporting data collection or reporting activities |
| Sustainability Requirements | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust (Moderate Risk) clearance | U.S. Citizenship required |
Ascension LLC is seeking a Technical Writer / Editor (508 Specialist) to support high-visibility policy, research, and data dissemination efforts for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE).
This role is critical to ensuring that complex policy analyses, research findings, and technical outputs are translated into clear, concise, and accessible deliverables for both internal leadership and public audiences. The ideal candidate brings strong writing and editorial expertise combined with deep knowledge of Section 508 accessibility compliance, ensuring all deliverables meet federal standards for accessibility and usability.
This position directly supports ASPE’s mission to produce timely, high-quality policy insights and research outputs, including technical memoranda, issue briefs, reports, and public-facing materials .
Position Summary
The Technical Writer / Editor (508 Specialist) is responsible for developing, editing, and finalizing a wide range of written and visual deliverables that support policy analysis, data reporting, and dissemination activities.
This individual will work in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment, supporting quick-turnaround deliverables while maintaining high standards for clarity, accuracy, and accessibility. The role requires the ability to translate complex analytical content into digestible formats for policymakers, stakeholders, and the public.
The ideal candidate is:
- Detail-oriented and highly organized
- Skilled at synthesizing complex technical content
- Experienced in federal accessibility standards (Section 508)
- Comfortable working independently with minimal supervision
- Capable of managing multiple deliverables simultaneously
This role supports Task 5 (Dissemination) and related activities involving public-facing deliverables, formatting, and compliance .
Day-to-Day Activities
- Draft technical memoranda, research briefs, reports, and executive summaries based on analyst input
- Edit and proofread deliverables for clarity, consistency, grammar, and tone
- Apply Section 508 standards to all documents (Word, PDF, PowerPoint, Excel)
- Format reports and publications for both internal and public dissemination
- Translate complex policy and data findings into clear, concise narratives
- Collaborate with policy analysts, data analysts, and SMEs to refine messaging
- Develop templates, style guides, and formatting standards for consistency
- Prepare materials for public release, including reports, toolkits, and briefs
- Ensure compliance with HHS branding, formatting, and accessibility requirements
- Support development of visual content (charts, infographics, presentations)
- Review external and internal documents for quality control prior to submission
- Coordinate with stakeholders to incorporate feedback and revisions
Job Features
| Minimum Requirements | Bachelor’s degree in English, Communications, Public Policy, Journalism, or related field |
| Required Skills | 5–8 years of experience in technical writing, editing, or communications| 5–8 years of experience in technical writing, editing, or communications|5–8 years of experience in technical writing, editing, or communication |
| Technical Skills | Demonstrated experience supporting federal government deliverables | Strong knowledge of Section 508 accessibility compliance requirements | Proficiency in: Microsoft Word (advanced formatting and accessibility tools) Adobe Acrobat Pro (508 remediation) PowerPoint and Excel Experience producing: Technical reports Policy briefs Research summaries |
| Desired Skills | Experience supporting HHS, ASPE, or similar policy organizations Familiarity with policy analysis, healthcare, human services, or social science research Experience with: Plain language writing for government audiences Infographic and data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Adobe Creative Suite) Knowledge of: Federal Plain Language Guidelines OMB and HHS publication standards Master’s degree in Communications, Public Policy, or related field Certification in accessibility (e.g., DHS Trusted Tester, IAAP CPACC) |
| Sustainability Requirements | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust (Medium Risk) clearance | U.S. Citizenship required |
Ascension is seeking a Research Analyst (Junior to Mid-Level) to support federal policy and research initiatives for HHS ASPE, specifically within Behavioral Health, Disability, Aging Policy, and Human Services domains. This role is critical to supporting evidence-based policymaking by conducting structured literature reviews, environmental scans, and synthesizing complex research into actionable insights.
The ideal candidate is someone who thrives in a research-intensive, fast-paced environment, with the ability to translate large volumes of qualitative and quantitative information into clear, concise products that inform policy decisions. This position plays a key role in enabling leadership to make informed decisions on emerging issues such as behavioral health, long-term care, disability services, and human services programs.
Position Summary
The Research Analyst will support Task 2: Literature Reviews and Environmental Scans, delivering high-quality research products including memoranda, briefs, and reports. The role requires strong analytical thinking, structured research methodologies, and the ability to work under tight deadlines for rapid-turnaround deliverables, which are a core requirement of the ASPE environment.
This role is ideal for a detail-oriented, intellectually curious professional who can operate with minimal supervision, anticipate research needs, and synthesize findings into policy-relevant insights. The candidate must be comfortable working across multiple topic areas and adapting to evolving research priorities.
Key Responsibilities / Day-to-Day Activities
- Conduct comprehensive literature reviews across peer-reviewed and gray literature
- Perform environmental scans to assess programs, policies, and emerging trends
- Synthesize research findings into technical memoranda, briefs, and reports
- Support background research for policy analysis and decision-making
- Analyze and summarize complex data and research into clear, actionable insights
- Identify key themes, gaps, and implications for federal policy development
- Develop annotated bibliographies and structured research summaries
- Collaborate with senior analysts and policy experts to refine research outputs
- Support preparation of presentations and briefing materials for leadership
- Ensure all deliverables meet quality standards and Section 508 compliance
- Manage multiple assignments with competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Job Features
| Job Category | Data Analysis and Analytics |
| Minimum Requirements | Bachelor’s Degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Social Sciences, Economics, or related field |
| Required Skills | 2–5 years of experience in research, policy analysis, or program evaluation |
| Technical Skills | Demonstrated experience conducting literature reviews and research synthesis, Strong analytical and critical thinking skills | Experience writing reports, briefs, or technical memoranda | Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) | Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities | Strong written and verbal communication skills |
| Desired Skills | Master’s Degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Social Sciences, or related field | Experience supporting federal clients (HHS preferred) | Familiarity with behavioral health, disability, aging, or human services policy areas Experience with research tools and databases (e.g., PubMed, JSTOR, Google Scholar) | Knowledge of qualitative and/or quantitative research methodologies | Experience supporting rapid-turnaround analytical environments | Familiarity with data visualization or reporting tools (Power BI, Tableau) Understanding of federal policy development and regulatory processes |
| Sustainability Requirements | Ability to obtain and maintain HHS Public Trust (Moderate Risk) | U.S. Citizenship or eligibility to work on federal contracts |
Ascension LLC is seeking a Data Analyst (Mid-Level / Quantitative) to support high-visibility federal policy and data analysis initiatives within HHS ASPE’s Behavioral Health, Disability, Aging Policy (BHDAP), and Human Services Policy (HSP) offices.
This role is critical to delivering data-driven insights that inform national policy decisions, including behavioral health, disability, aging, and human services programs. The ideal candidate is a problem-solver with strong quantitative expertise who can transform complex datasets into actionable findings that support leadership decision-making.
This position directly supports mission-critical efforts requiring rapid-turnaround analysis, statistical modeling, and data integration across survey and administrative datasets .
Position Summary
The Data Analyst will perform quantitative analysis, data modeling, and data integration using survey and administrative datasets to answer complex policy questions. The role requires the ability to clean, transform, and analyze large datasets, produce analytical outputs, and support development of technical memoranda, reports, and visualizations.
The ideal candidate is:
- Detail-oriented and highly analytical
- Self-driven and able to operate in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
- Skilled at managing multiple priorities and tight deadlines
- Capable of translating data into clear, policy-relevant insights
The analyst will support:
- Statistical analysis and modeling
- Data linkage across multiple sources
- Development of reports, dashboards, and visualizations
- Rapid-turnaround policy analysis deliverables
Day-to-Day Activities
- Conduct statistical analysis on survey and administrative datasets
- Clean, transform, and validate large datasets for analysis
- Perform data linkage and integration across multiple data sources
- Develop quantitative models to support policy research
- Create tables, charts, dashboards, and visualizations (Power BI, Tableau, Excel)
- Produce technical memoranda, research briefs, and reports
- Translate analytical findings into clear, concise insights for stakeholders
- Support literature reviews and data-driven research synthesis
- Collaborate with policy analysts and program staff to refine research questions
- Present findings to internal stakeholders and leadership
- Ensure compliance with data privacy, security, and federal standards
Job Features
| Job Category | Data Analysis and Analytics |
| Minimum Requirements | Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Economics, Public Policy, Public Health, or related field |
| Required Skills | 4–7 years of relevant experience Strong proficiency in: Python, R, SAS, or STATA, SQL and data querying, Excel (advanced) |
| Technical Skills | Experience with: Statistical modeling and quantitative analysis | Survey and administrative data analysis Data cleaning, transformation, and validation | Ability to develop: Data visualizations and dashboards | Technical reports and analytical summaries |
| Desired Skills | Master’s degree in a related field | Experience supporting federal agencies (HHS preferred) Familiarity with datasets such as: Medicare/Medicaid claims | National health or human services surveys Experience with: Power BI or Tableau, Data linkage techniques, Policy analysis or program evaluation Knowledge of: Behavioral health, disability, aging, or human services domains, Experience working in Agile or fast-paced analytical environments |
| Sustainability Requirements | Public Trust (Moderate Risk) required | Must be eligible to work on federal contracts |
Ascension is seeking a Senior Policy Analyst / Task Lead to lead high-impact policy analysis and research initiatives in support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE).
This role is critical to delivering timely, high-quality policy insights, data-driven analysis, and strategic recommendations that inform federal decision-making across behavioral health, disability, aging, and human services policy domains.
The ideal candidate is a subject matter expert (SME) who thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments and can independently lead analytical efforts, synthesize complex data, and communicate findings to senior government stakeholders.
Position Summary
The Senior Policy Analyst / Task Lead will serve as a technical lead and primary contributor across multiple analytic and technical assistance tasks, including policy analysis, secondary data analysis, literature reviews, and expert convenings.
This role supports ASPE’s mission to provide rapid-turnaround and long-range policy insights, producing deliverables such as technical memoranda, research briefs, reports, and executive briefings.
The ideal candidate is:
- A strategic thinker with strong analytical and policy evaluation skills
- A self-starter capable of managing multiple concurrent priorities
- A clear communicator who can translate complex findings into actionable insights
- Comfortable working under tight deadlines with high visibility deliverables
Day-to-Day Activities
- Lead policy analysis efforts across behavioral health, disability, aging, and human services topics
- Develop policy memos, issue briefs, technical reports, and executive summaries
- Conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis using survey, administrative, and linked datasets
- Perform literature reviews and environmental scans to inform policy decisions
- Guide analytical approach, research design, and methodological rigor across tasks
- Provide subject matter expertise and strategic recommendations to federal stakeholders
- Draft and review high-level reports and deliverables for internal and public dissemination
- Support expert panel convenings, including planning, facilitation, and summary reporting
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including data analysts, researchers, and program staff
- Ensure all deliverables meet quality standards and Section 508 compliance requirements
- Manage task timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder communications
Job Features
| Job Category | Data Analysis and Analytics |
| Minimum Requirements | Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Health, Economics, Social Sciences, or related field |
| Required Skills | 8–12 years of relevant experience in policy analysis, research, or program evaluation | Strong written and verbal communication skills | Ability to manage multiple fast-paced, short-turnaround tasks |
| Technical Skills | Demonstrated experience supporting federal policy or research initiatives | Strong experience with: Policy analysis and evaluation, Quantitative and qualitative research methods, Data analysis (e.g., Stata, SAS, R, Python, or similar) | Experience analyzing: Survey data and administrative datasets | Health, behavioral health, or human services programs | Proven ability to produce: Technical reports, Policy briefs, Executive-level presentations |
| Desired Skills | PhD or advanced specialization in relevant domain Experience supporting HHS, ASPE, CMS, or similar federal agencies Knowledge of: Medicare/Medicaid data and policy, Long-term services and supports (LTSS), Behavioral health and human services systems Experience with: Data linkage (survey + administrative data), Multivariate statistical modeling | Familiarity with: Section 508 compliance, OMB/PRA processes | Experience facilitating expert panels or stakeholder engagements |
| Sustainability Requirements | Ability to obtain and maintain HHS Public Trust (Medium Risk) | Must be a U.S. Citizen or authorized to work on federal contracts |
Ascension LLC is seeking a Project Manager (Mid-Level / Task Lead) to support policy and data analysis efforts for federal clients, specifically within health and human services domains. This role is critical to ensuring the successful execution of rapid-turnaround analytical and policy support projects, where timelines are tight, deliverables vary in scope, and coordination across stakeholders is essential.
The ideal candidate is a disciplined, detail-oriented project leader who thrives in a fast-paced federal consulting environment and can manage multiple concurrent efforts involving policy analysis, data analytics, research deliverables, and stakeholder engagement activities. This role directly supports the Government’s need for timely, high-quality technical memoranda, reports, and analytical products.
This position is ideal for professionals with strong program coordination, reporting, and stakeholder facilitation experience, particularly those who want to play a key role in shaping policy-support initiatives.
Position Summary
The Project Manager (Light PM / Task Lead) is responsible for overseeing Task 1 (Project Management) and supporting Task 2.1 (Project Work Planning) activities. This includes managing work plans, coordinating deliverables, tracking budgets, and ensuring alignment with client expectations.
This role requires an individual who is:
- Highly organized and able to manage multiple short-turnaround projects simultaneously
- Skilled at coordinating across analysts, SMEs, and federal stakeholders
- Proactive in identifying risks, resolving issues, and maintaining schedule integrity
- Comfortable operating in an ambiguous environment with evolving priorities
The Project Manager ensures that all work products, including technical memoranda, reports, and briefings, are delivered on time, within scope, and meet quality expectations.
Day-to-Day Activities
- Manage and maintain the contract-level management work plan and project schedules
- Coordinate bi-weekly/monthly meetings with COR and stakeholders
- Develop and track project work plans, timelines, and deliverables
- Monitor budget execution and labor hour tracking across tasks
- Facilitate work plan development meetings with Government stakeholders
- Track progress across multiple analytic and technical assistance projects
- Prepare and submit monthly progress reports and status updates
- Coordinate internal team activities across analysts, SMEs, and technical staff
- Identify risks, issues, and dependencies and implement mitigation strategies
- Ensure deliverables meet quality control and Section 508 compliance standards
- Support preparation of briefings, reports, and executive-level materials
- Maintain documentation including meeting notes, action items, and decision logs
- Ensure alignment between project execution and contract requirements and objectives
Job Features
| Job Category | Project Management |
| Minimum Requirements | dministration, Health Policy, or related field |
| Required Skills | 5–8 years of experience in project or program management within federal consulting | Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams)| Strong written and verbal communication skills | Ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams and federal stakeholders |
| Technical Skills | Demonstrated experience managing multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines | Experience supporting federal contracts (HHS preferred, but not required)| Strong knowledge of: Project planning and scheduling tools, Budget tracking and reporting, Deliverable management processes |
| Desired Skills | PMP (Project Management Professional) or equivalent certification | Experience supporting policy analysis, research, or data analytics projects Familiarity with health, human services, or behavioral health policy domains Experience with: Power BI or dashboard reporting tools, SharePoint or collaboration platforms, Agile or hybrid project management methodologies, Experience supporting time and materials (T&M) contracts, Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills |
| Sustainability Requirements | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Clearance (Medium Risk) | Must be a U.S. Citizen or eligible to work on federal contracts |
Ascension LLC is seeking a highly skilled (CBD) Production Specialist (eLearning Developer) to design and develop engaging, interactive, and standards-compliant digital learning solutions that directly support mission-critical workforce development initiatives.
This role is essential to delivering high-impact, scalable training products that improve knowledge retention, operational performance, and program outcomes. The ideal candidate brings a strong blend of instructional design, multimedia development, and technical eLearning expertise, with the ability to translate complex subject matter into intuitive and interactive learning experiences.
This position is best suited for professionals who thrive at the intersection of learning science, technology, and creativity, and who are passionate about building modern digital learning ecosystems that support enterprise training goals.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The (CBD) Production Specialist will support the end-to-end development of interactive eLearning products aligned with SCORM/xAPI standards and modern adult learning methodologies. This role supports the customer’s need to modernize training delivery, enhance learner engagement, and ensure measurable training effectiveness.
The ideal candidate is:
- Detail-oriented and highly organized with strong production discipline
- Self-driven and capable of working in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
- Skilled at translating requirements into polished, user-centered learning products
- Experienced in managing multiple development cycles, timelines, and stakeholder inputs
This role will solve key customer challenges, including:
- Converting static or instructor-led training into interactive digital formats
- Improving learner engagement through multimedia and simulation-based learning
- Ensuring compliance with SCORM/xAPI and LMS integration requirements
- Developing scalable microlearning and assessment-based training solutions
The candidate will leverage tools such as Articulate 360, Adobe Creative Cloud, Camtasia, Captivate, LMS platforms, and Microsoft 365 tools, along with structured development processes such as ADDIE, Agile development, and rapid prototyping.
Ascension brings proven experience supporting training curriculum development, virtual learning environments, and performance analytics for federal agencies, ensuring alignment between training outcomes and mission objectives.
Day-to-Day Activities
- Develop interactive eLearning modules compliant with SCORM/xAPI standards
- Design and produce multimedia content including videos, animations, and graphics
- Build simulations, branching scenarios, and scenario-based learning experiences
- Create knowledge checks, assessments, and evaluation tools aligned with learning objectives
- Convert instructor-led training (ILT) content into engaging digital formats
- Develop microlearning modules for just-in-time training delivery
- Collaborate with SMEs, instructional designers, and stakeholders to refine content
- Integrate learning products into LMS platforms and test functionality
- Conduct quality assurance reviews for usability, accessibility, and compliance
- Apply adult learning principles and instructional design methodologies
- Manage multiple development timelines and deliverables simultaneously
- Support continuous improvement based on learner feedback and analytics
Job Features
| Job Category | Learning & Development, Training |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, Multimedia Development, or related field | Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines | Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | 5–8+ years of experience developing eLearning solutions in a professional environment |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Demonstrated experience developing SCORM and/or xAPI-compliant training | Proficiency with eLearning tools such as: Articulate Storyline / Rise, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, After Effects), Camtasia or Adobe Captivate | Experience developing interactive simulations and scenario-based learning | Familiarity with LMS platforms (e.g., Cornerstone, Moodle, Blackboard) | Strong understanding of instructional design frameworks (ADDIE, SAM, Agile) |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Learning Experience Design, or related field | Experience supporting federal government or enterprise training programs | Knowledge of Section 508 compliance and accessibility standards | Experience with xAPI/LRS integrations and learning analytics | Familiarity with UX/UI principles for digital learning environments | Experience developing training for leadership development or workforce readiness programs | Certifications such as: ATD (Certified Professional in Talent Development - CPTD), Adobe Certified Professional, eLearning Guild or similar affiliations |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Public Trust (preferred or ability to obtain) | U.S. Citizenship may be required depending on client |
Ascension is seeking a highly experienced Senior Training Instructor/Facilitator to lead the delivery of instructor-led training (ILT) and Train-the-Trainer (T3) programs focused on leadership development across multiple organizational tiers.
This role is critical to ensuring that leadership training programs are effectively delivered, scalable, and sustainable by equipping internal trainers and leaders with the skills, tools, and methodologies needed to cascade learning across the organization.
The ideal candidate is a dynamic facilitator, coach, and communicator with deep expertise in adult learning principles, leadership development frameworks, and experiential learning techniques. This individual must be capable of engaging diverse audiences, adapting to evolving requirements, and delivering measurable improvements in leadership capability and workforce performance.
This position directly supports the client’s objective to build a high-performing leadership culture, strengthen internal training capacity, and drive organizational effectiveness through structured learning and coaching programs, aligning with Ascension’s expertise in training facilitation, curriculum delivery, and workforce development .
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Senior Training Instructor/Facilitator will be responsible for delivering high-impact leadership training programs, facilitating Train-the-Trainer (T3) sessions, and providing individual and group coaching aligned to leadership competency frameworks.
This role requires a professional who is:
- A confident presenter and facilitator capable of leading in-person and virtual sessions
- A strategic thinker who understands how training translates into organizational outcomes
- A self-driven professional who thrives in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
- Skilled at anticipating learner needs, adapting delivery methods, and maintaining engagement across varied audiences
The candidate will support:
- Leadership development initiatives across multiple levels (frontline to executive)
- Scaling training delivery through internal trainer enablement (T3)
- Coaching leaders to reinforce learning application and behavioral change
- Continuous improvement of training effectiveness through feedback and performance insights
The role requires familiarity with:
- Adult learning methodologies (ADDIE, Kirkpatrick, experiential learning)
- Virtual and in-person training platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Adobe Connect, LMS tools)
- Training evaluation metrics and performance tracking
- Facilitation tools and engagement techniques
Day-to-Day Activities
- Facilitate instructor-led training (ILT) sessions for leadership development programs
- Deliver Train-the-Trainer (T3) sessions to prepare internal facilitators and SMEs
- Provide one-on-one and group coaching to leaders aligned with leadership competencies
- Customize delivery approaches based on audience, leadership level, and learning objectives
- Lead interactive exercises, workshops, and scenario-based learning activities
- Evaluate training effectiveness using surveys, assessments, and feedback mechanisms
- Collaborate with curriculum developers to refine training materials and delivery strategies
- Support virtual training environments and ensure seamless delivery of remote sessions
- Track participant progress and provide recommendations for continuous improvement
- Prepare facilitation materials, guides, and supporting documentation
- Engage stakeholders to align training outcomes with organizational goals
- Identify gaps in leadership capability and recommend targeted interventions
Job Features
| Job Category | Learning & Development, Training |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Development, Education, Human Resources, Psychology, or related field | Ability to manage multiple training sessions and priorities simultaneously | Certifications (Preferred but not required): Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) / CPTD, SHRM-CP / SHRM-SCP, Prosci Change Management Certification, PMP or Agile-related certifications (a plus) |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | Minimum 8–10 years of experience in training facilitation, leadership development, or workforce training |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Demonstrated experience delivering ILT and Train-the-Trainer (T3) programs | Strong knowledge of adult learning principles and instructional methodologies | Experience facilitating training for multi-level leadership audiences | Proven ability to lead both in-person and virtual training environments | Strong communication, presentation, and facilitation skills | Experience with training tools and platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams, Zoom, LMS systems) |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Master’s degree in Organizational Development, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, or related field | Experience supporting federal or public sector training programs | Background in leadership coaching or executive coaching | Familiarity with Kirkpatrick Model, Brinkerhoff Success Case Method, or similar frameworks | Experience developing or refining training curriculum and materials | Strong ability to analyze training effectiveness data and translate into actionable insights | Experience working in matrixed or large-scale organizational environments | Advanced facilitation skills for high-stakes or executive-level sessions |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Public Trust or ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance (preferred) | Must be able to pass background investigation requirements as defined by the client |
Ascension is seeking highly specialized Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in leadership development, organizational psychology, and workforce assessment to support the design, development, and delivery of training curricula and leadership evaluation programs.
This role is critical to advancing the client’s goal of building a high-performing, data-driven leadership culture through structured training, certification programs, and evidence-based assessments such as DiSC, CliftonStrengths, Hogan Assessments, Emotional Intelligence (EQ), and Leadership 360 frameworks.
The ideal candidate brings deep domain expertise in leadership science and adult learning, combined with hands-on experience developing certifiable training programs and assessment-driven development strategies. This role directly impacts workforce effectiveness, leadership readiness, and organizational performance outcomes.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The SME will serve as a thought leader and technical expert responsible for designing and delivering leadership development programs aligned with industry-recognized assessment tools and best practices.
The client requires a professional who can:
- Translate leadership frameworks into practical, scalable training programs
- Integrate assessment tools into measurable development pathways
- Provide insights and recommendations based on assessment results
- Support certification-based learning models and evaluation strategies
The ideal candidate is:
- A self-driven expert who thrives in ambiguous environments
- Skilled in connecting theory to real-world application
- Able to design, facilitate, and evaluate training programs
- Comfortable advising senior stakeholders on leadership performance and development strategies
This role will leverage tools and methodologies such as:
- Leadership assessment platforms (DiSC, Hogan, CliftonStrengths)
- Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Survey and analytics tools
- Microsoft 365 tools (PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint)
- Data visualization tools for reporting insights
Ascension’s experience in training curriculum development, leadership training facilitation, and performance analytics supports this role, including development of COR training programs and leadership-focused learning environments for federal agencies .
Day-to-Day Activities
- Design and develop leadership training curricula and course materials
- Conduct leadership assessments using DiSC, Hogan, CliftonStrengths, EQ, and 360 tools
- Analyze assessment results and provide actionable development insights
- Facilitate virtual and/or in-person leadership training sessions
- Develop certification programs and evaluation frameworks
- Create training guides, facilitator manuals, and participant materials
- Collaborate with stakeholders to align training with organizational goals
- Develop and administer surveys and feedback mechanisms
- Produce reports, dashboards, and executive briefings on leadership performance
- Support continuous improvement of training programs based on feedback and outcomes
Job Features
| Job Category | Learning & Development, Training |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s degree in: Human Resources, Leadership Development, Industrial/Organizational Psychology Or related field | Experience working with federal, state, or large enterprise organizations |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | 8+ years of experience in leadership development, training, or organizational consulting |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Demonstrated experience with leadership assessment tools, including: DiSC, CliftonStrengths, Hogan Assessments, Emotional Intelligence frameworks, 360-degree assessments | Experience developing training curricula and certification programs | Strong facilitation and presentation skills | Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (PowerPoint, Excel, Teams) |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Master’s degree or PhD in Organizational Psychology, Leadership, or related discipline | Certifications in one or more: DiSC Certified Facilitator, CliftonStrengths Coach, Hogan Certified Practitioner, EQ-i 2.0 Certification | Experience with: Learning Management Systems (LMS), Data analytics and visualization (Power BI or similar), Change management frameworks | Experience supporting government leadership development programs | Familiarity with Kirkpatrick Model or similar training evaluation frameworks |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance (if required) | U.S. Citizenship preferred |
Ascension is seeking a high-impact Organizational Psychologist / Leadership Development Subject Matter Expert (SME) to design and operationalize a modern leadership framework and talent development ecosystem that strengthens organizational performance, workforce engagement, and change resilience.
This role is critical to helping the client translate leadership theory into practical, scalable solutions such as competency models, coaching frameworks, and training curricula that directly improve employee performance, retention, and organizational effectiveness. The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in organizational behavior, leadership science, and adult learning, combined with the ability to deliver actionable, measurable outcomes in complex environments.
Summary of the Contractor Role
The Organizational Psychologist will support the design and implementation of a tiered leadership framework, including assessment models, development pathways, and training programs aligned to the client’s strategic workforce goals.
This role requires a strategic thinker and practitioner who can:
- Translate behavioral science into practical leadership tools
- Design programs that promote psychological safety, growth mindset, and change agility
- Develop competency-based career pathways and skill progression models
- Create engaging training curricula and learning experiences
The ideal candidate is self-driven, highly analytical, and comfortable operating in ambiguous environments, capable of working independently while engaging stakeholders across leadership levels. They must anticipate organizational challenges, design solutions proactively, and balance multiple priorities within a limited level-of-effort engagement (300 hours).
This role will leverage tools and methodologies such as:
- Leadership competency frameworks (e.g., Korn Ferry, SHRM, custom models)
- Organizational assessments and surveys
- Instructional design frameworks (ADDIE, Kirkpatrick)
- Data-informed decision-making and workforce analytics
- Microsoft 365 tools (PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint) for deliverables and collaboration
Position’s Day-to-Day Activities
- Design tiered leadership frameworks aligned to organizational goals and workforce needs
- Develop leadership competency models, behavioral indicators, and assessment tools
- Create talent development pathways and skill progression frameworks across career levels
- Conduct organizational and workforce assessments to identify leadership gaps
- Facilitate stakeholder workshops, focus groups, and leadership sessions
- Develop training curricula, facilitator guides, and participant materials
- Integrate principles of psychological safety, growth mindset, and change agility into all deliverables
- Advise leadership on organizational culture, engagement strategies, and change readiness
- Analyze qualitative and quantitative workforce data to inform recommendations
- Collaborate with program managers and training teams to align deliverables with overall program objectives
- Present findings, frameworks, and recommendations to senior stakeholders
Job Features
| Job Category | Human Resources, Organizational Development |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Master’s or PhD in Organizational Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Human Capital, or related field | Ability to work independently in a part-time, deliverable-driven environment |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | 8+ years of experience in organizational development, leadership development, or workforce transformation |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Demonstrated experience designing: Leadership frameworks and competency models, Talent development pathways and career progression models, Training curricula and leadership programs | Experience integrating behavioral science principles into organizational strategies | Strong facilitation and stakeholder engagement skills | Experience working in government, public sector, or large complex organizations | Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools (PowerPoint, Excel, Teams, SharePoint) |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology or related discipline | Certifications such as: SHRM-SCP / SHRM-CP, Prosci Change Management Certification, Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP) | Experience supporting federal agencies or transit/public infrastructure organizations | Familiarity with: Leadership assessment tools (360 assessments, psychometrics), Workforce analytics and data visualization, Learning management systems (LMS) and virtual training platforms | Experience embedding DEI, employee engagement, and culture transformation strategies into leadership programs | Strong background in change management and organizational transformation initiatives |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust clearance (or equivalent), if required | Must be authorized to work in the United States |
Protect our Land, Ascend with Us!
Ascension LLC is seeking a high-performing Project Manager to lead project planning, governance, and stakeholder engagement activities in support of a mission-critical government program. This role is essential to ensuring that project execution is structured, compliant, and aligned with organizational priorities.
The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and execution-focused leader who can establish governance frameworks, manage project performance, and drive communication across stakeholders. This individual will play a pivotal role in ensuring successful delivery of project milestones, risk mitigation, and decision-making support.
This position is critical to achieving program success by ensuring disciplined project execution, transparent communication, and proactive risk management, all aligned with the client’s operational and strategic goals.
Position Summary
The Project Manager will be responsible for developing and executing project plans, establishing governance structures, and facilitating communication across stakeholders. This role requires a detail-oriented and organized professional who can operate effectively in a dynamic environment with evolving requirements.
The ideal candidate will:
- Be highly organized, proactive, and solutions-oriented
- Demonstrate the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders simultaneously
- Anticipate risks and develop mitigation strategies before issues arise
- Be comfortable working in ambiguous environments with minimal supervision
- Possess strong communication skills to support executive-level reporting and stakeholder alignment
The Project Manager will leverage tools such as Microsoft Project, SharePoint, Power Platform (Power BI, Power Automate), and collaboration platforms (e.g., Teams) to support planning, reporting, and governance activities.
This role directly supports the client’s need for structured project governance, effective communication cadence, and performance transparency.
Day-to-Day Activities
- Develop and maintain comprehensive project plans, schedules, milestones, and deliverables
- Establish project governance frameworks including RACI matrices, communication plans, and risk logs
- Facilitate Steering Committee meetings, status briefings, and stakeholder engagements
- Monitor project performance, risks, and issues; escalate as needed
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with project objectives
- Prepare executive-level reports, dashboards, and briefings on project status
- Manage change control processes and ensure proper documentation of scope changes
- Track deliverables and ensure adherence to timelines and quality standards
- Lead risk management activities including identification, analysis, and mitigation planning
- Ensure compliance with organizational policies, governance standards, and contractual requirements
- Support continuous improvement initiatives and lessons learned activities
Job Features
| Job Category | Project Management |
| MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS | Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration, Information Systems, Management, or related field | Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills | Excellent written and verbal communication skills |
| REQUIRED SKILLS | 8+ years of experience in project management supporting federal, state, or large enterprise environments | PMP (Project Management Professional) certification required |
| TECHNICAL SKILLS | Demonstrated experience in project planning, governance, and stakeholder communication | Experience developing and managing: Project schedules and timelines, Risk logs and mitigation strategies, Governance frameworks (RACI, communication plans) | Proficiency with: Microsoft Project or equivalent scheduling tools, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), Collaboration tools (Teams, SharePoint) |
| DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS | Master’s Degree in Business, IT, or related discipline | Experience supporting government agencies (DHS, DOE, FEMA, etc.) | Familiarity with Agile and/or hybrid project management methodologies | Experience with Power BI, Power Automate, or other reporting/dashboard tools | Experience supporting program management offices (PMO) or governance boards | PMI-ACP, Scrum Master, or other Agile certifications | Experience with process improvement or business transformation initiatives |
| SUITABILITY/SECURITY REQUIREMENTS | Ability to obtain and maintain a Public Trust Clearance (minimum) | U.S. Citizenship may be required based on client needs |