Strategy Insights & Planning Associate Consultant: Commercial Strategy

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you’ll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life-changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client-first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life-changing impact to ZS.

Strategy Insights and Planning Associate Consultant: Commercial Strategy

ZS's Strategy Insights and Planning teams partner with clients to design and deliver solutions to help them tackle a broad range of business challenges. Our teams work on multiple projects simultaneously, leveraging advanced data analytics and problem-solving techniques. Our recommendations and solutions are based on rigorous research and analysis underpinned by deep expertise and thought leadership. We are seeking an Associate Consultant to join our Commercial Strategy team, partnering with leading life sciences organizations on complex commercialization challenges. In this role, you will help clients shape strategies across areas such as launch and growth strategy, customer strategy, go-to-market planning, portfolio strategy, capability development, organizational design, and resource optimization. You will work alongside senior client stakeholders and ZS teams to structure ambiguous business questions, integrate quantitative and qualitative perspectives, and translate insights into clear strategic recommendations that drive business impact.

Why join this team?

You’ll gain exposure to a broad range of high-impact commercial strategy challenges while working with experienced ZS consultants and senior client stakeholders. The role offers opportunities to work across diverse strategic topics, build deep commercial expertise, and influence decisions that shape how healthcare organizations bring products to market and create value for patients. You’ll join a collaborative team that values curiosity, innovative thinking, and continuous learning.

What you’ll do

• Apply structured problem-solving approaches to complex and often ambiguous commercial business challenges.
• Support commercial strategy engagements across areas such as launch and growth strategy, customer strategy, go-to-market planning, portfolio strategy, capability development, organizational design, and resource optimization.
• Use quantitative and qualitative information to develop insights, evaluate strategic alternatives, and inform client decision-making.
• Synthesize complex information into clear, compelling recommendations and client-ready presentations that connect insights to business implications and actions.
• Collaborate with clients, internal teams, and senior stakeholders to understand business priorities, align perspectives, and drive high-quality outcomes.
• Manage assigned workstreams and contribute to day-to-day project execution, including structuring activities, coordinating across teams, managing timelines, and ensuring project goals and deadlines are met.
• Develop strong client relationships and serve as a trusted point of contact on specific aspects of engagements.
• Contribute perspectives and ideas that strengthen project work, client engagements, and ZS’s broader commercial strategy capabilities.
• Mentor and support the development of Associates on your projects and teams.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree with strong academic performance in a relevant field such as business, economics, marketing, psychology, life sciences, or social sciences.
• 2–4 years of relevant post-collegiate professional experience, preferably within the pharmaceutical, healthcare, life sciences, or consulting industries. In lieu of professional experience, candidates with a PhD may be considered.
• Experience working on commercial strategy, business strategy, management consulting, or related strategic business challenges; life sciences or healthcare experience is preferred.
• Strong structured problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate ambiguous business questions and develop clear, practical recommendations.
• Ability to interpret and synthesize quantitative and qualitative information and translate findings into meaningful business implications.
• Strong business acumen with an ability to quickly understand client priorities, market dynamics, and broader industry considerations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling presentations and communicate effectively with clients and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholder groups while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• High motivation, good work ethics, maturity and personal initiative
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Empathy, adaptability and high personal impact
• Strong attention to detail, with a quality-focused mindset
• Self-discipline for planning and organizing tasks
• Aptitude for, and enjoyment of, team leadership
• Fluency in English
• Client-first mentality
• Intense work ethic
• Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach

How you’ll grow:

• Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
• Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Perks & Benefits:

At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well‑being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills‑building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in United States, visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS.

Hybrid working model:

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.

Travel:

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

Considering applying?

At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems—the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

If you’re eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, we encourage you to apply.

ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.

Work Authorization:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.

To complete your application:
An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.

NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.

Find Out More At:
www.zs.com