Life Sciences Strategy Associate Consultant

ZS • Thousand Oaks, CA

6h • Hybrid

About The Position

ZS is a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it. They transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. The Strategy Insights & Planning teams partner with clients to design and deliver solutions that help them tackle a broad range of business challenges. These teams work on multiple projects simultaneously, leveraging market research, data-driven insights, and structured and unstructured problem solving to inform strategic decision-making. For this opportunity, the role will work closely with a specialty biopharmaceutical client with a portfolio across neuroscience and oncology, supporting corporate and brand-level strategy initiatives. The role will help assess opportunities, evaluate strategic investments and priorities, and translate research and secondary data into actionable recommendations.

Requirements

• PhD or Master’s with a bachelor’s degree in a field with quantitative or analytical coursework such as business, economics, marketing, psychology, life sciences, or social sciences. In lieu of a PhD, 2–5 years of relevant post-study professional experience will be considered
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, including comfort working through ambiguous or unstructured business questions
• Experience conducting market research, secondary research, and/or opportunity assessments
• Ability to synthesize complex information and translate findings into clear recommendations
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to leverage data and research to support strategic decision-making
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Comfort working collaboratively across teams and geographies
• High motivation, strong work ethic, maturity, and personal initiative
• Strong attention to detail and a quality-focused mindset
• Ability to independently plan, organize, and prioritize tasks
• Aptitude for and enjoyment of team leadership and mentorship
• Empathy, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills
• Client-first mentality and collaborative approach
• Fluency in English
• Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Apply strong strategic thinking and unstructured problem-solving skills to complex client business challenges
• Support corporate and brand strategy projects, helping clients evaluate opportunities and make strategic decisions
• Conduct market research and secondary research to identify insights, market dynamics, and potential opportunities
• Perform opportunity assessments to help clients think through different investments, strategic priorities, and potential areas of focus for their brands
• Synthesize qualitative and quantitative information from multiple sources to develop clear, actionable recommendations
• Structure analyses and workstreams in partnership with Consultants and Managers
• Develop clear storylines and communicate findings and recommendations through written and verbal presentations
• Work directly with client stakeholders to understand business questions and support strategic decision-making
• Collaborate with team members in the U.S. and an offshore team in India to execute project work and deliver high-quality outputs
• Support project planning, status updates, and issue identification to help keep workstreams moving toward key milestones
• Mentor and support Associates on project teams as appropriate

Benefits

• Comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well‑being, financial future, time away, and professional development.
• Robust skills‑building programs
• Multiple career progression paths
• Internal mobility
• Deeply collaborative culture

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level