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Ascension is seeking a senior-level Lead Data & Evaluation Analyst (Technical Lead) to serve as the analytical leader responsible for designing, executing, and overseeing data-driven evaluation activities supporting the Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE). This position is critical to helping OPE transform complex program data into actionable insights that strengthen data governance, improve decision-making, and support evidence-based program management.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with demonstrated experience designing evaluation frameworks, conducting mixed-methods research, analyzing organizational data maturity, developing performance indicators, and translating analytical findings into executive-level recommendations. The candidate should have the ability to bridge business needs, data management practices, and analytical solutions while collaborating with federal stakeholders, program offices, and technical teams.

This role is ideal for a professional who enjoys solving complex business problems, developing analytical strategies, improving data-driven decision processes, and supporting mission-focused government programs through measurable outcomes.

Summary of Contractor Role

The Lead Data & Evaluation Analyst (Technical Lead) provides senior analytical leadership for Ascension’s support of OPE’s Data Analytics and Evaluation Support (DAES) mission. The position leads the development of evaluation methodologies, analytical frameworks, data collection approaches, and reporting structures necessary to assess and improve OPE’s data governance capabilities.

The role will work closely with OPE’s Data Governance Board (DGB), program offices, and stakeholders to identify current-state challenges, define future-state data capabilities, and develop actionable recommendations aligned with federal data management requirements, including the Evidence Act, Federal Data Strategy, OMB guidance, and Department of Education data governance objectives.

The successful candidate must be detail-oriented, analytical, collaborative, and comfortable operating in an environment requiring independent judgment, stakeholder coordination, and the ability to manage multiple analytical workstreams simultaneously.

Position Responsibilities / Expected Activities

The Lead Data & Evaluation Analyst will:

Evaluation Framework & Data Strategy Support

• Lead the design and implementation of evaluation frameworks to assess OPE data governance maturity, organizational capabilities, and data management practices.
• Develop analytical methodologies to evaluate current-state conditions against desired future-state objectives.
• Define evaluation criteria, measurement approaches, and performance indicators aligned with OPE strategic priorities.
• Translate business requirements into analytical models, reporting structures, and decision-support tools.

Data Collection & Research Activities

• Design qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches, including interview protocols, questionnaires, surveys, and analytical methodologies.
• Develop stakeholder engagement strategies to collect information from OPE divisions, program offices, and data stakeholders.
• Conduct and oversee interviews, surveys, and data collection activities supporting organizational assessments.
• Analyze qualitative feedback and quantitative survey results to identify trends, gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze complex datasets to identify patterns, trends, relationships, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop analytical summaries, executive briefings, reports, and recommendations for government stakeholders.
• Validate data quality, completeness, accuracy, and consistency before reporting findings.
• Develop dashboards, visualizations, and performance reporting tools to communicate analytical insights.

Data Governance & Management Support

• Support development and implementation of OPE data governance practices.
• Assist in defining data governance processes, standards, roles, responsibilities, and operating models.
• Support inventory development of data assets, systems, information collections, and governance requirements.
• Collaborate with technical teams supporting the OPE Data Governance Database and reporting capabilities.

Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership

• Facilitate working sessions, interviews, workshops, and governance meetings with federal stakeholders.
• Present analytical findings and recommendations to program leadership.
• Provide subject matter expertise and guidance to junior analysts and project team members.
• Coordinate analytical activities across multiple functional areas.