As a Project Manager at Ascension, your day-to-day work is defined by coordination, communication, and control. You are the central hub that keeps initiatives moving forward.

For Technical Program Managers & Scrum Masters: You will orchestrate complex, multi-pod initiatives. This involves leading Agile ceremonies, facilitating PI Planning, and driving cross-tile technical alignment. You will partner closely with Engineering, Architecture, and Product teams to ensure scalable system design. A major part of your role is impediment removal—identifying blockers in the development lifecycle and resolving them so your team can focus on execution. You will also own program-level KPIs, building dashboards that provide leadership with transparent visibility into program health.

For Construction & Facilities Project Managers: You will coordinate the planning, design, and construction of physical facilities. Your responsibility is to track budgets, schedules, and scopes to ensure high-quality delivery. You will serve as the primary liaison between internal hospital staff and external contractors/architects. You are responsible for document control (using systems like eBuilder) and ensuring that all work meets strict healthcare accreditation standards. You will monitor projects for risks and establish consistent communication schedules to keep all stakeholders informed of progress.

Ascension looks for candidates who combine professional experience with the right temperament for a mission-driven organization.

Technical & Educational Requirements

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree is generally required. For construction roles, degrees in Architecture, Engineering, or Construction Management are preferred. For technical roles, a background in Computer Science or Business is common.
• Experience:
  • Entry-Level/Mid-Level: Typically requires 3+ years of experience.
  • Senior/Staff Level: Requires 5-8+ years of experience, specifically in managing complex, cross-functional initiatives.
• Certifications:
  • Construction: PMP, Certified Healthcare Constructor (CHC), or similar licensure is highly valued.
  • Technical: SAFe Agilist, CSM (Certified Scrum Master), or PMP certifications are strong assets.

Must-Have Skills

• Healthcare Experience: While not always mandatory, prior experience in a healthcare or regulated environment is a significant advantage.
• Tool Proficiency:
  • Construction: eBuilder, MS Project, Excel.
  • Technical: Jira, Confluence, ServiceNow, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) concepts.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills are non-negotiable. You must be able to translate technical or construction jargon into business terms for leadership.

Nice-to-Have Skills

• Experience with Google Suite (Ascension uses Google Workspace heavily).
• Specific domain knowledge in areas like Imaging Equipment or Clinical Innovation.

Q: Is healthcare experience required for the Technical PM roles? While healthcare experience is listed as "preferred" and is highly beneficial due to the regulatory nature of the work, it is not always a hard requirement for technical roles. Strong experience in enterprise-level, regulated environments (like finance or insurance) can often translate well if you demonstrate adaptability.

Q: What is the remote work policy? Many of the Technical Program Manager and Scrum Master roles at Ascension are fully remote ("#LI-Remote"). However, Construction Project Manager roles are typically onsite or hybrid, as they require physical oversight of facility projects (e.g., in Baltimore or other specific hospital locations). Always check the specific job description.

Q: How does Ascension measure success for this role? Success is measured by "delivery excellence" and "mission impact." For technical roles, this means predictable releases, low defect rates, and resolved dependencies. For construction, it means projects delivered on time, on budget, and with minimal disruption to patient care.

Q: What is the culture like? Ascension has a supportive, collaborative culture grounded in its Catholic mission. It is generally described as having a good work-life balance compared to high-growth tech startups. However, it is a large organization, so navigating bureaucracy and approval processes is part of the daily reality.

Know the "Abim" Ascension’s Mission, Vision, and Values are central to its identity. Before your interview, read their mission statement. Be prepared to articulate why you want to work for a non-profit healthcare system. Authenticity here goes a long way.

Speak the Language of Safety Whether you are deploying code or pouring concrete, "safety" and "quality" are the magic words. Frame your answers around how your project management style ensures safety for patients and quality for the organization.

Be Honest About What You Don't Know Ascension values integrity. If you are asked about a specific healthcare regulation or technical tool you haven't used, admit it, but immediately explain how you would learn it or how your past experience relates.

Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration The biggest challenge in large health systems is silos. Show that you are a "bridge-builder" who connects different departments (e.g., Clinical vs. IT vs. Facilities) to get things done.

Becoming a Project Manager at Ascension is an opportunity to use your organizational skills for a purpose that transcends standard corporate goals. Whether you are ensuring a new MRI suite is built to code or managing the software teams that build patient engagement platforms, your work directly supports the caregivers and patients who rely on Ascension every day.

To succeed, focus your preparation on demonstrating servant leadership, operational discipline, and the ability to manage complexity in a regulated environment. Review the specific requirements for your track (Construction vs. Technical), brush up on your behavioral stories using the STAR method, and enter the interview with a clear understanding of how your values align with Ascension's mission.

The salary ranges at Ascension vary significantly by location and specific role track. The data above reflects broad ranges; Technical and Strategy PM roles often command higher base salaries compared to entry-level construction roles, though construction management offers strong growth potential. Be sure to research the specific cost of labor for your geographic area if the role is not remote.

With thorough preparation and a genuine connection to the mission, you are well-positioned to land this role. Good luck!