Ascension LLC is seeking a highly experienced and detail-oriented federal acquisition compliance professional to serve as the Lead Acquisition Compliance Auditor and Task Lead supporting Department of the Navy audit readiness and acquisition compliance initiatives. The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and hands-on practitioner with extensive experience interpreting and applying the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), internal controls, procurement policy, and federal audit frameworks within complex government environments.

This role is critical to ensuring acquisition operations, documentation, internal controls, and procurement activities are compliant with federal regulations, Department of Defense guidance, and customer-specific audit requirements. The selected candidate will lead acquisition compliance reviews, assess documentation and operational risks, identify deficiencies and process gaps, and provide actionable recommendations that strengthen audit readiness and acquisition governance.

The ideal professional will bring demonstrated expertise supporting federal acquisition lifecycle management efforts for DoD, DHS, DOE, Navy, or other federal civilian agencies. Candidates should possess strong analytical, communication, stakeholder engagement, and reporting capabilities, along with the ability to independently lead audit-related initiatives involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.

This role is ideal for a senior acquisition professional who thrives in highly regulated environments, understands the operational realities of federal procurement programs, and can confidently advise leadership on acquisition compliance risks, corrective actions, and process improvements.

Ascension’s relevant experience supporting acquisition lifecycle management, audit readiness, business process improvement, and acquisition operations across DHS FPS and DOE CESER directly aligns with the responsibilities of this role.

Position Summary

The Lead Acquisition Compliance Auditor / Federal Acquisition Audit Task Lead serves as the primary execution lead for acquisition compliance reviews, procurement audits, internal control assessments, and audit reporting activities in support of Department of the Navy operations. The consultant will evaluate acquisition documentation, procurement workflows, contract administration activities, and internal acquisition controls to ensure alignment with applicable FAR, DFARS, DoD, DON, and agency-specific requirements.

The position requires a highly organized and self-directed professional capable of operating independently while coordinating across program offices, contracting personnel, legal stakeholders, CORs, financial teams, and senior leadership. The ideal candidate must be capable of analyzing large volumes of acquisition documentation, identifying compliance risks, developing audit findings, and recommending corrective actions that improve operational effectiveness and audit readiness.

The selected professional should possess strong acquisition lifecycle management expertise, experience supporting federal audit or compliance initiatives, and demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent reviews under compressed timelines. The candidate must also be comfortable facilitating discussions with government leadership, developing executive-level briefing materials, and preparing detailed audit documentation and reports.

This role requires a proactive and solutions-oriented individual who can anticipate issues, develop practical recommendations, and support process improvement efforts that enhance acquisition governance and reduce operational risk.

Ascension’s corporate capabilities in acquisition lifecycle management, program management, compliance support, business process improvement, and data analytics directly support the responsibilities associated with this position.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Lead acquisition compliance reviews and procurement audit activities across assigned task areas
• Review acquisition documentation for compliance with FAR, DFARS, DON, and agency-specific requirements
• Assess procurement files, contract administration activities, and acquisition lifecycle documentation for completeness and accuracy
• Identify compliance deficiencies, internal control gaps, audit risks, and process inefficiencies
• Develop detailed audit findings, observations, recommendations, and corrective action strategies
• Prepare executive-level reports, briefings, dashboards, and audit summaries for government leadership
• Facilitate meetings, working sessions, interviews, and audit walkthroughs with stakeholders and acquisition personnel
• Coordinate with contracting officers, CORs, legal teams, financial management personnel, and program managers
• Maintain audit trackers, risk logs, corrective action matrices, and supporting documentation repositories
• Support audit readiness initiatives and acquisition governance activities
• Analyze procurement data and acquisition trends to identify operational or compliance risks
• Recommend process improvements that enhance acquisition efficiency, internal controls, and regulatory compliance
• Support development or refinement of acquisition policies, SOPs, workflows, and compliance procedures
• Monitor audit timelines, milestones, and deliverable schedules to ensure timely execution
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of acquisition documentation and supporting records
• Assist with responses to audit inquiries, data calls, and compliance reporting requirements
• Provide subject matter expertise regarding federal acquisition regulations and procurement best practices