Life Sciences R&D Strategy Manager

Accenture•Miami, FL

5d•$87,400 - $253,000•Remote

About The Position

We are seeking a Manager to play a critical role within our growing R&D strategy team to focus on R&D reinvention across the value chain: helping clients move beyond incremental improvement to AI-enabled transformation of how they discover, develop, and deliver medicines. This high-impact role sits at the intersection of biopharma R&D, digital innovation, and enterprise transformation — advising R&D leaders at the world's leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies. You will own end-to-end strategy workstreams and engagements, engage with clients across R&D functions, support business development, and contribute to practice growth through thought leadership and capability building. Accenture's Life Sciences R&D practice helps biopharma organizations transform discovery, early development, and development operations through scientific strategy, data and AI integration, and operational reinvention. We work with R&D leaders — Chief Scientific and Medical Officers, Heads of R&D Functions, SVP and VP-level capability owners — to shape R&D strategy, accelerate pipeline decisions, and build the capabilities needed to compete in the age of AI-driven drug discovery and development. This is a growth-focused practice with strong momentum and a clear path to Managing Director for high performers.

Requirements

At least 5 years of combined experience in the following areas:
Deep expertise in Life Sciences R&D with experience at a top-tier strategy consulting firm or a leading biopharma company in an R&D strategy or transformation function.
A proven track record leading strategy work with measurable outcomes for biopharma clients.
Experience supporting the development of strategic recommendations and transformation roadmaps to C-suite, SVP, and VP-level R&D stakeholders.
Strong understanding of how AI, data, digital technologies, and scientific informatics are reshaping biopharma R&D — and the ability to translate that understanding into client strategy.
Demonstrated success in supporting business development: identifying opportunities, shaping solutions, and building client relationships.
Experience teams and managing junior professionals.
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as client and business needs require.
Bachelor's Degree

Nice To Haves

MBA, advanced scientific degree (PhD, PharmD, MD), or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant discipline.
Experience building a new strategy offering, or capability from the ground up.
Track record supporting the development of thought leadership — whitepapers, conference presentations, or published perspectives — in the life sciences or R&D space.
Experience operating across multiple biopharma sub-sectors (large pharma, emerging biotech, CROs, or medtech) and geographies

Responsibilities

Lead complex R&D strategy workstreams and small engagements from problem framing through delivery, ensuring measurable client impact.
Advise clients on R&D transformation priorities including strategy, pipeline portfolio management, scientific data and AI integration, R&D operational excellence, R&D operating model, etc.
Develop and present strategic recommendations, transformation roadmaps, and reinvention narratives to Heads of R&D functions, and other senior stakeholders.
Serve as a guiding presence throughout the workstream lifecycle — shaping critical deliverables, driving quality assurance, and ensuring delivery excellence.
Build and grow client relationships across biopharma R&D functions.
Partner with the broader Accenture team to bring the tailored expertise needed for an individual R&D engagement in support of our clients (e.g., Data & AI, Technology Strategy & Advisory, Talent & Organization).
Support originate and shape new opportunities, support proposals and commercial pursuits, and contribute to Accenture's pipeline growth in the Life Sciences R&D space.
Identify adjacent opportunities and expand existing client relationships across the R&D value chain.
Contribute to thought leadership on R&D transformation and scientific innovation — supporting the development of assets that establish Accenture's differentiated perspective in the market.
Support the build of reusable offerings, frameworks, and assets that accelerate future client engagements.
Mentor and develop junior colleagues; actively contribute to performance management and recruiting.
Partner with Accenture’s global industry leads, capability leads, and cross-functional teams to evolve the R&D Strategy practice and go-to-market strategy.