Senior Consultant, Pharmacy

About the Firm

AArete is a global, innovative management and technology consulting firm with offices in the U.S. and India. Specializing in strategic profitability improvement, digital transformation, and strategy & change, we deliver purposeful change, actionable insights, and guaranteed results through a digital-first mindset, market intelligence, and data-driven approach. Our culture is built on guiding principles such as Excellence, Passion, Loyalty to Clients, Stewardship, Family, Community, Sustainability, and Inclusion. We’ve been recognized as a top firm to work for by Forbes, Consulting Magazine, and others, and hold a Great Place to Work Certification™.

About the Role

Lead pharmacy program initiatives and implementation efforts, helping clients execute complex operational and strategic projects. Work with PBM migrations, system implementations, or large-scale pharmacy transformation initiatives in a matrix management environment, supporting multiple projects and actively participating in client-facing meetings.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, identification, and root cause analysis of pharmacy opportunities through remediation with client counterparts.
• Stay up to date on current events, regulatory requirements, and market trends impacting health plan reimbursement.
• Exercise excellent judgement and clear communication in all aspects of work.
• Drive the design and delivery of opportunities to reduce payer drug costs, partnering closely with internal teams to implement recommendations.
• Utilize analytics to uncover trends across pharmacy and medical drug spend, applying knowledge of drug pricing (AWP, WAC, NADAC, MAC, CMS ASP), formulary strategy, and utilization management programs.
• Support the advancement of automation and improved workflows in pharmacy analytics, reporting, and operational processes.
• Maintain knowledge of regulatory changes, drug pricing updates, compendia changes, and market trends impacting pharmacy benefit strategy and clinical programs.
• Prepare client-ready deliverables.
• Apply strong critical thinking and analytics skills to identify patterns, inconsistencies, and opportunities within pharmacy and medical claims, developing practical recommendations and strategies for clients.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 4+ years of experience in a role within pharmacy, PBM, pharmacy consulting, or a managed care organization.
• Strong professional communication skills, including written, verbal, interpersonal, and in-person presentation expertise.
• Experience coaching and mentoring team members.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and insights development.
• Strong analytical, data interpretation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify client savings opportunities and develop actionable insights or business cases.
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in healthcare systems and digital platforms, claims adjudication, and related tools.
• Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD).
• Expertise in pharmacy operations.
• Basic/intermediate SQL for data analysis.
• Demonstrated experience in pharmacy benefit management, including benefit design, formulary strategy, utilization management programs, clinical programs, PBM contracting, and analytics and reporting.
• Track record in pharmacy and medical drug utilization analysis, cost containment, or value-based pharmacy strategy.
• Based in Chicago, IL, with flexibility to work from the Chicago office as needed.

Benefits

• Flexible PTO, monthly half-day refuels, and volunteer time off.
• 10 paid holidays.
• Own Your Day flexible work policy.
• Competitive majority employer-paid benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K Match.
• Generous paid parental leave options.
• Employer-paid Life Insurance, Short Term Disability, Long Term Disability.
• Charitable contribution matching program.
• New client commission opportunities and referral bonus program.
• Bike share discount program.

Pay

The estimated base salary range for this position is $105,000 - $125,000. In addition to base salary, individuals may be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. This range is part of a competitive, total compensation package including majority employer-paid benefits and incentive pay for eligible roles.