Strategy Insights & Planning Associate Consultant: Commercial Strategy

ZS • New York, NY

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

ZS is seeking an Associate Consultant to join its Commercial Strategy team, which partners with leading life sciences organizations on complex commercialization challenges. The role supports clients in shaping strategies related to launch and growth, customer strategy, go-to-market planning, portfolio strategy, capability development, organizational design, and resource optimization.

The Associate Consultant will work alongside senior client stakeholders and ZS teams to structure ambiguous business questions, combine quantitative and qualitative perspectives, and turn insights into clear strategic recommendations. The work involves multiple projects, rigorous research and analysis, and collaboration across clients and internal teams to deliver practical solutions and business impact.

The position offers exposure to high-impact commercial strategy challenges, opportunities to develop commercial expertise, and a collaborative environment focused on curiosity, innovative thinking, and continuous learning. It uses a hybrid working model, combining work from home with on-site presence at client or ZS offices. Client-facing employees should be prepared to travel as project and client needs require. The role is not eligible for visa sponsorship; candidates must have U.S. work authorization that does not require employer sponsorship now or in the future. An online application with official or unofficial transcripts is required.

Requirements

• 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; candidates with a PhD may be considered in lieu of professional experience.
• Experience in commercial strategy, business strategy, management consulting, or related strategic business challenges.
• Strong structured problem-solving skills and the ability to navigate ambiguous business questions and develop practical recommendations.
• Ability to interpret and synthesize quantitative and qualitative information and translate findings into business implications.
• Strong business acumen and ability to understand client priorities, market dynamics, and broader industry considerations.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including developing compelling presentations and communicating with clients and senior stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate across diverse teams and stakeholder groups while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• High motivation, good work ethic, maturity, and personal initiative.
• Empathy, adaptability, and high personal impact.
• Strong attention to detail and a quality-focused mindset.
• Self-discipline in 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.
• Authorization to work in the United States without requiring employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Submission of an online application with a full set of official or unofficial transcripts.

Nice To Haves

• Professional experience in the pharmaceutical, healthcare, life sciences, or consulting industries.
• Life sciences or healthcare experience.

Responsibilities

• Apply structured problem-solving approaches to complex and often ambiguous commercial business challenges.
• Support commercial strategy engagements in 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 recommendations and client-ready presentations that connect insights to business implications and actions.
• Collaborate with clients, internal teams, and senior stakeholders to understand priorities, align perspectives, and deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Manage assigned workstreams and contribute to project execution, including structuring activities, coordinating teams, managing timelines, and meeting project goals and deadlines.
• Develop client relationships and serve as a trusted point of contact on specific engagement topics.
• Contribute ideas that strengthen project work, client engagements, and ZS’s commercial strategy capabilities.
• Mentor and support the development of Associates on projects and teams.

Benefits

• Comprehensive total rewards package supporting health and well-being, financial future, time away, and professional development.
• Skills-building programs and custom learning pathways.
• Multiple career progression paths and internal mobility opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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