Pharmaceutical Commercial Strategy & Market Access Associate Consultant

ZS • South San Francisco, CA

9h • Hybrid

About The Position

ZS's Strategy Insights and Planning teams partner with clients to solve complex business challenges through rigorous research, analytics, strategic thinking, and deep industry expertise. This team works closely with healthcare and life sciences clients across commercial strategy, marketing, market access, and value & access, helping clients translate insights into actionable strategies and business decisions.

Requirements

• PhD or master’s degree with a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as business, economics, marketing, psychology, life sciences, social sciences, or another analytically focused discipline. In lieu of an advanced degree, relevant professional experience will be considered.
• 2-5 years of relevant professional experience, ideally within consulting, healthcare, life sciences, commercial strategy, marketing, market access, value & access, or a related area.
• Strong critical-thinking and structured problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity.
• Experience managing projects, workstreams, timelines, and multiple competing priorities.
• Strong client-facing communication skills and comfort working directly with stakeholders.
• Ability to synthesize research and analysis into clear business insights and recommendations.
• Strong PowerPoint and Excel skills and proficiency with core Microsoft applications.
• Interest in AI technologies and curiosity around how AI can improve day-to-day work, analysis, and client problem solving.
• High level of initiative and a hungry, eager-to-learn mindset.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and commitment to delivering high-quality work.
• Collaborative approach with an interest in coaching and developing others.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Fluency in English.
• Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

• Previous healthcare, pharmaceutical, or life sciences experience.
• Experience within commercial strategy, pharmaceutical marketing, market access, or value & access.
• Previous consulting or other client-facing project experience.
• Experience presenting findings or recommendations directly to clients and senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support commercial strategy, marketing, market access, and value & access engagements for healthcare and life sciences clients.
• Apply structured problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to complex and often ambiguous client business challenges.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, market analysis, and secondary research to develop actionable insights and recommendations.
• Support and manage day-to-day client project execution, including workplans, timelines, status updates, risks, issues, and deliverables.
• Serve as a key point of contact for clients and build strong working relationships through regular client interaction.
• Synthesize complex findings into clear, compelling recommendations and communicate them through PowerPoint presentations and client discussions.
• Partner with project teams to ensure workstreams remain on track and project objectives and deadlines are met.
• Participate in client meetings and working sessions, asking thoughtful questions and helping move discussions toward actionable outcomes.
• Leverage AI-enabled tools and emerging technologies to improve efficiency, research, analysis, and problem solving.
• Mentor and support Associates while contributing to the broader development of ZS capabilities and teams.

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