Ascendant Strategy Management Group is looking for an associate consultant in the Washington, DC area to support our rapidly growing consulting and software teams.  As an associate consultant with Ascendant, you'll get a chance to contribute immediatelyon client engagements, to support building a cloud-based performance management software business (ClearPoint Strategy), and to help us grow as a company.

Basically, we are getting crushed with a lot of great new work, so we are looking for someone who can help us dig our way out.  So, if you take this job, be prepared for anything– in any given day, you could be briefing the First Lady’s office, giving demos to prospects in the Middle East, supporting a client in London, or helping a school in Los Angeles.  Days are long, but rewarding.

What we offer:

• The chance to get in on the "ground floor" of a new organization with a really cool vision
• The ability to work with thought leaders at Harvard Business School and elsewhere
• A focus on organizations in the social and public sector that are changing the world
• The ability to make a difference at Ascendant from day one
• Great colleagues and clients
• A competitive salary commensurate with your experience and great benefits

Desired Skills & Experience

This will be a great opportunity to learn, build something fantastic, and  get in on the ground floor with a great bunch of folks. We are looking for someone to meet all of the following criteria:

• An incredibly hard worker, even when it’s not so fun. There is a ton of work to do, and a lot of it is not the most glamorous. After all — we are a small organization with huge ambitions and no support staff.  We are looking for someone to help execute on all fronts without complaint or supervision, and come back asking for more. 
• Open to change and ambiguity. Often, when onsite with a client, you will face changing conditions and unexpected obstacles. Our clients include large federal agencies, NGOs, school districts and nonprofits.  We have the opportunity to help them become more effective at managing and executing their strategy.  You will directly contribute to their success.
• A cool person to be with. Not a crazy party animal, just someone we can trust, rely upon, hang out with, bounce ideas off of, and generally interact with in a positive way, both personally and professionally.  This is one of the most stringent requirements we have.  We typically do an offsite once a year.  This year, we went to Vegas.  Please feel free to recommend a good location for our next offsite (we’re thinking New Orleans is next).
• Has a strong set of interpersonal skills and organizational savvy. In addition to hanging out with us, you will need to be comfortable working with our clients and be able to quickly build relationships to achieve common goals.  This means being able to identify the internal and external politics that impact the work of the organization, listening to others, and responding appropriately.
• A master of multitasking and exceeding expectations. We’re going to throw a ton of work at you of every possible sort, and you need that magic skill of being able to figure it out even if you have no idea where to start. On any given day you might bounce between client delivery, software testing, training development, and marketing.  You will also need to figure out how to balance helping our clients and helping our company at the same time. 
• A really, really fast learner who thrives in a crazy unstructured environment.   We don't have time to teach things twice.  This is not a 9-5 office job.  In fact, right now, there is no "office."  You'll be connected via Outlook, Skype, mobile, etc., etc., etc.  You'll be judged on how fast and how well you get things done, not how much time you spend on it.  

To qualify for this position, you'll need to have a BA or BS from a leading undergraduate institution, live in Washington, DC (or be ready to move there on your own dime), be able to go through an extensive interview process where we'll ask hard questions about why you want to work here.  Come ready to be challenged.   You must also be eligible to get a Department of Defense security clearance and you could be on the road 2-3 days a week.

Interested?

Feel free to submit your resume through LinkedIn. Please remember to include a cover letter highlighting your skills, experience, and interests and how they align with our company and this position specifically. The more specific you are in your resume and cover letter, the more likely we are to get back to you.  So read this posting carefully, visit our websites, learn about us, and then apply.

We may not respond to everyone, but we will look at every application.  As busy as we are, we think finding the right person is critical to our success.  If we think there could be a match, get ready for a set of phone interviews and then we’ll find a way to meet you in person.  We needed someone yesterday, so, if you are great, expect this process to move quickly. 

• Getting The Job; Getting The Job Done (October 5, 2012)
• Working At Ascendant (April 23, 2012)