Regulatory Manager - Healthcare Consulting

The Opportunity Ascendient is scaling. We're a Top 25 national healthcare consulting firm with a 30-year track record of excellence in regulatory work, and we're looking for a Regulatory Manager who thrives on delivering high-stakes client work with precision and discipline. This role is for someone who wants to grow—not just do the same work year after year. You'll lead complex Certificate of Need (CON) applications from start to finish, manage project teams, own client relationships, and build your capability as a consultant while developing the people around you. If you're driven by challenge, energized by client impact, and ready to take ownership of delivery, this role is for you. About Ascendient For 30 years, Ascendient has built a national reputation for producing flawless, defensible Certificate of Need (CON) applications that stand up to scrutiny and hold up in court. We're a Top 25 healthcare consulting firm and our Regulatory Practice is where we made our name. Our clients (hospital systems, regional health networks, and healthcare organizations) trust us with their highest-stakes growth projects: new facilities, major expansions, service line additions, and market entry strategies. Many have worked with us for decades because we don't just check boxes. We build airtight cases that connect market data, financial modeling, and community needs into compelling narratives that win regulatory approval. We're data-driven, evidence-based, and relentlessly focused on quality. But we're not a factory. We're a close-knit team that holds itself to an uncompromising standard, and we're in an intentional growth phase, where we’re scaling our capabilities while protecting the reputation that took 30 years to build. This is the right time to join if you want to grow your career alongside a firm that's investing in its future. What You'll Do As a Regulatory Manager, you are the delivery engine for client engagements. You'll lead project teams of analysts and writers and your job is to translate strategy into execution, manage project economics, develop your team, and ensure every deliverable meets Ascendient's standard—flawless and timely. This is a player-coach role. You'll do delivery work, but your success is measured by how well you delegate, build capability in others, and keep projects running smoothly. The Work You'll lead Certificate of Need (CON) applications—complex, multi-month engagements for healthcare organizations planning major expansions or new services. Typical projects include new hospital construction, service line expansions, and major capital investments. CON applications are high-stakes work: 200+ pages with detailed market analysis, financial modeling, competitive intelligence, and regulatory arguments that must be bulletproof. Regulatory agencies scrutinize every claim, competitors look for weaknesses, and courtroom defense is always possible. The work is deadline-driven with intense peaks around submissions and hearings, balanced by slower periods for planning and team development. During peaks, you'll need stamina and composure. Your Responsibilities Project Delivery & Budget Management • Own projects start to finish: translate scope into clear plans, timelines, and review cycles • Track hours weekly, identify budget variance early, and course-correct before overruns • Build staffing plans that protect economics and delegate work to the right level • Drive quality control and documentation so work is defense-ready and errors are caught internally • Flag risks early with solutions Team Leadership & Development • Set clear expectations so your team knows what great looks like • Coach through review rather than redoing work—build capability, don't absorb it • Run steady project rhythms with check-ins, deadlines, and progress tracking • Give direct feedback early and hold people accountable to quality and timelines Client Relationship Execution • Own day-to-day client communication—keep them clear on progress and decisions • Manage scope changes cleanly with documented decisions and explicit timeline/budget impacts • Build client confidence so Principals and Partners can focus on strategy, not execution issues How We Work Ascendient's values guide how we deliver work and develop people. As a Regulatory Manager, you'll be expected to embody these: Investing in Excellence: You manage to internal metrics—budget performance, quality control, timeline adherence—but never lose sight that these exist to deliver value to our clients and enhance our reputation. Elevating Relationships: Clients feel confident in your delivery. Your team feels clear on expectations and supported in development. Principals and Partners trust you to handle execution without oversight. You elevate relationships by being someone people can count on. Humanizing Integrity: You do what you say. You communicate early when something is at risk. You give direct feedback when performance falls short. You own mistakes without defensiveness. Integrity means professional maturity, accountability, and treating people with respect even in difficult conversations. Who Thrives in This Role You Must Have: • 8-10+ years of experience in healthcare consulting, regulatory affairs, or health system operations • Direct experience with Certificate of Need (CON) processes and applications • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, and teams simultaneously • Strong analytical skills and comfort with data interpretation and financial modeling • Excellent written and oral communication skills • Bachelor's degree in Business, Healthcare Administration, or related field (Master's preferred) You Should Be: • Driven and resilient: This work is deadline-driven with demanding peak periods that require stamina. You manage pressure without panic and understand that intense cycles are balanced by slower periods. • Growth-minded and adaptable: You're curious, open to change, and eager to develop your skills. This isn't a role for someone looking to coast. • A natural coach: You develop capability in others through the work. Mentoring junior staff is an expectation. • Detail-oriented with strategic perspective: You can sustain relentless attention to detail while keeping sight of project outcomes and client objectives. • Comfortable with ambiguity: You're a self-starter who can turn unclear requests into clear action without hand-holding. • Accountable: You take ownership, close loops without being chased, and communicate early when something is at risk. This Role Is Not For: • People looking for a predictable 9-5 with minimal demands • Those who prefer to be told exactly what to do at every step • Consultants who want to stay purely in an individual contributor role What We Offer Compensation & Benefits: • Competitive salary: $115,000 - $160,000 annually (based on experience) • Comprehensive benefits package • Competitive leave policies Work Environment: • Primarily remote position (candidates must be located in the United States) • Periodic travel to client sites and our Chapel Hill, NC office • Remote flexibility helps offset peaks and valleys of project cycles Career Growth: • This is a true growth platform. We're scaling and investing heavily in developing our people. • You'll get regular exposure to firm leadership and clients • You’ll have opportunities to lead increasingly critical engagements, deepen expertise, explore new service areas, and advance your career • You'll work alongside professionals who think big and care deeply about the work Application Process We'll review all applications carefully and contact those selected to move forward. The process typically includes: • Initial phone interview • Competencies and strengths assessment • Skills evaluation • Interviews via Zoom with division leaders and/or Partners We're looking to move efficiently while ensuring the right fit on both sides. ________________________________________ Ascendient is an equal opportunity employer. We believe diverse perspectives make us stronger and are committed to building an inclusive team. Location United States (Remote) Employment Type Full-Time Minimum Experience Manager/Supervisor Compensation $115,000 - $160,000 per year Apply tot his job Apply To this Job