Associate Consultant

Associate Consultant at Ascension

As an Associate Consultant on the Strategic Integration Team at Ascension, you will play a crucial role in implementing national strategic and operational initiatives. This position involves close collaboration with executive stakeholders across various business areas to address Ascension’s most critical and complex challenges. Success in this role demands exceptional critical thinking, relationship-building, and organizational skills to analyze intricate data, develop strategic and tactical approaches, synthesize diverse stakeholder visions, and ensure timely delivery of results. Within the team, you will also serve as a peer partner for onboarding new associates.

Project Management and Change Management

• Support the implementation of new healthcare strategies and processes across Ascension, focusing on low to medium complexity projects.
• Identify critical next steps, track project tasks and goals, and ensure stakeholder accountability for successful completion.
• Assist in designing and executing implementation and change management plans, including workstream development, communications, business transformation, end-user training, and success measurement.
• Facilitate effective meetings by leading discussions, taking detailed notes, and distributing follow-up and summary emails to highlight key points, action items, and maintain alignment.
• Aid in the activation of the Ascension National Incident Command Center (ICC) during extreme crises, collaborating with national and local leaders, reporting updates, tracking action items, and facilitating workstream calls.

Relationship Building

• Quickly establish strong relationships by demonstrating executive presence among senior leaders.
• Provide exceptional customer service, maintain situational awareness, and exhibit proactive hospitality towards all project stakeholders, including leaders, end-users, and external parties.

Deliverable Creation

• Develop comprehensive business cases for national initiatives, incorporating cost/benefit analyses, pro forma financial analyses, persuasive funding justifications, and detailed implementation schedules.
• Utilize both internal and external data sources and research to inform project decision-making and implementation strategies.
• Prepare insightful and easy-to-understand analyses and reports from various data sources, delivering clear conclusions and recommendations to target audiences.
• Create, review, and present executive-level deliverables, such as weekly project updates, status reports, and presentations for specific workstreams or projects.
• Research and propose innovative solutions to continuously enhance team processes and effectiveness for current and future initiatives.

People Management

• Contribute to recruiting efforts by participating in candidate interviews.
• Support the onboarding process by serving as a peer partner for new team members, facilitating their integration into the team culture, and transferring essential team and organizational knowledge.

Requirements

Education:

• High School diploma or equivalency with 3 years of cumulative experience OR
• Associate's degree/Bachelor's degree with 2 years of cumulative experience OR
• 7 years of applicable cumulative job-specific experience required.
• 3 years of leadership or management experience preferred.

Licensure / Certification / Registration:

• None Required.

Benefits at Ascension

Ascension offers a robust benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and professional growth:

• Health Coverage: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, prescription coverage, and HSA/FSA options.
• Financial Security & Retirement: Employer-matched 403(b), financial planning resources, disability, and life insurance.
• Time to Recharge: Pro-rated paid time off (PTO) and holidays.
• Career Growth: Ascension-paid tuition (Vocare), reimbursement, ongoing professional development, and online learning.
• Emotional Well-being: Employee Assistance Program, counseling, peer support, spiritual care, and stress management resources.
• Family Support: Parental leave, adoption assistance, and family benefits.
• Other Benefits: Optional legal and pet insurance, transportation savings, and more.

Benefit options and eligibility may vary by position, scheduled hours, and location, and are subject to change. Your recruiter will provide the most up-to-date details.

Why Join Ascension?

Ascension is a leading nonprofit Catholic health system committed to a culture grounded in service, growth, care, and connection. With over 99,000 associates, you'll be empowered to bring your skills to reimagine healthcare. Recognized as a Best 150+ Places to Work in Healthcare and a Military-Friendly Gold Employer, Ascension offers an inclusive and supportive environment where your contributions are truly valued.

Key skills/competency

• Strategic Planning
• Operational Initiatives
• Project Management
• Change Management
• Stakeholder Collaboration
• Data Analysis
• Executive Presence
• Business Case Development
• Process Improvement
• Healthcare Consulting