Strategy Insights & Planning Consultant - Commercial Strategy & Market Access

About the Role

ZS's Insights & Analytics group partners with clients to design and deliver solutions that help them tackle a broad range of business challenges. Our teams work on multiple projects simultaneously, leveraging advanced data analytics and problem-solving techniques. Our recommendations and solutions are based on rigorous research and analysis underpinned by deep expertise and thought leadership.

Strategy Insights & Planning Consultants deliver high-quality solutions for our clients. Consultants possess unstructured problem-solving skills as well as strong analytic, synthesis, and communication skills. Consultants may work on multiple projects simultaneously. As Consultants advance in their career, they specialize in a particular industry, practice area, and/or client relationship.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial strategy, market access, value & access, and marketing-focused client engagements within the healthcare and life sciences industry.
• Serve as a day-to-day client contact, managing project execution, stakeholder communication, and ensuring successful delivery of project objectives.
• Facilitate client workshops and working sessions, driving productive discussions, alignment, and actionable outcomes.
• Translate complex business challenges into structured analyses and strategic recommendations for clients.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to develop insights that inform commercialization, pricing, access, and growth strategies.
• Leverage emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to improve efficiency, enhance analyses, and support client problem solving.
• Work with project leadership to define project scope and develop approach.
• Lead project task execution by ensuring progress, organizing project data, and coordinating team meetings.
• Conduct issue analysis and develop hypotheses on the key client issues.
• Design and execute qualitative and/or quantitative analyses to test and analyze hypotheses.
• Synthesize findings, develop recommendations, and communicate results to clients and internal teams.
• Provide thought leadership and innovation within projects and practice areas.
• Participate in business development.
• Contribute to internal firm activities.
• Coach and mentor junior team members.

Requirements

• MBA with bachelor's (and often graduate) degrees with a strong academic record in business, economics, marketing, psychology, physical or life sciences, engineering, applied math, statistics, or related fields. Alternately, candidates may possess a PhD in marketing, economics, decision sciences or related field with a business application. In lieu of an MBA or PhD, 5-8 years of relevant work experience may substitute.
• 5-8+ years of experience in management consulting, strategy, commercial operations, market access, value & access, marketing, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex client projects and build relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Strong critical thinking and structured problem-solving skills with the ability to navigate ambiguity and develop actionable recommendations.
• Experience leading client workshops, presentations, and collaborative working sessions.
• High degree of initiative, intellectual curiosity, and a strong desire to learn and grow in a fast-paced consulting environment.
• Exceptional project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and other core business applications.
• Interest in and familiarity with AI technologies and their applications in business and consulting environments.
• Prior healthcare, pharmaceutical, market access, or life sciences experience is a plus but not required.
• Previous consulting experience is preferred but not required.
• Up to 3 years of post-MBA relevant work experience, and 3-5 years of pre-MBA work experience.
• High motivation, good work ethic, maturity, and personal initiative.
• Aptitude for, and enjoyment of, leading and managing teams.
• Effective oral and written communication skills that enable personal impact with senior-level decision makers.
• Strong attention to detail, with a quality-focused mindset.
• Analytic problem-solving skills, with a creative and innovative outlook.
• Client service orientation.
• Fluency in English.
• Client-first mentality.
• Intense work ethic.
• Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach.

Preferred Attributes

• Hungry, self-motivated professional who thrives in a client-facing environment.
• Comfortable challenging assumptions and asking thoughtful, probing questions.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn new topics and industries.
• Interest in how AI is transforming business processes and decision-making.

Professional Development

• Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways.
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities.
• Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution, and role expansions.

Benefits

At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well-being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills-building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community.

For details on total rewards in the United States, visit ZS US office locations.

Schedule

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face-to-face connections.

Travel

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client-facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.