We are seeking a Senior Manager or Principal Director to play a critical leadership role within our growing R&D strategy team to focus on R&D reinvention across the value chain: helping clients move beyond incremental improvement to AI-enabled transformation of how they discover, develop, and deliver medicines. This high-impact role sits at the intersection of biopharma R&D, digital innovation, and enterprise transformation - advising R&D leaders at the world's leading pharmaceutical and biotech companies.

You will lead end-to-end strategy engagements, build lasting client relationships across R&D functions, drive business development, and contribute to practice growth through thought leadership and capability building. This is a balanced role: part trusted advisor, part business builder, part practice champion. You will be expected to partner across the various Accenture businesses to be successful in this role.

The Work (Role Responsibility)

• Lead complex R&D strategy engagements from problem framing through delivery, ensuring measurable client impact.
• Advise clients on R&D transformation priorities including strategy, pipeline portfolio management, scientific data and AI integration, R&D operational excellence, R&D operating model, etc.
• Develop and present strategic recommendations, transformation roadmaps, and reinvention narratives to Heads of R&D functions, and other senior stakeholders.
• Serve as a guiding presence throughout the program lifecycle - shaping critical program stages, driving quality assurance, and ensuring delivery excellence on large-scale engagements.
• Build, manage, and grow senior client relationships across biopharma R&D functions.
• Partner with the broader Accenture team to bring the tailored expertise needed for an individual R&D Strategy engagement in support of our clients (e.g., Data & AI, Technology Strategy & Advisory, Talent & Organization)
• Originate and shape new opportunities, lead proposals and commercial pursuits, and contribute to Accenture's pipeline growth in the Life Sciences R&D space.
• Identify adjacent opportunities and expand existing client relationships across the R&D value chain.
• Represent Accenture's R&D Strategy point of view in client briefings, industry forums, and executive conversations
• Develop and contribute to thought leadership on R&D transformation, AI-driven discovery and development, and scientific innovation - publishing assets that establish Accenture's differentiated perspective in the market.
• Build reusable offerings, frameworks, and assets that accelerate future client engagements.
• Mentor and develop junior colleagues; actively contribute to performance management and recruiting.
• Partner with Accenture's global industry leads, capability leads, and cross-functional teams to evolve the R&D Strategy practice and go-to-market strategy.

Here's What You Need (Basic Qualifications)

Candidates must have at least 8 years of combined experience in the following areas:

• Deep expertise in Life Sciences R&D with experience at a top-tier strategy consulting firm or a leading biopharma company in an R&D strategy or transformation function.
• A proven track record leading strategy engagements with measurable outcomes for biopharma clients.
• Experience developing and presenting strategic recommendations and transformation roadmaps to C-suite, SVP, and VP-level R&D stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of how AI, data, digital technologies, and scientific informatics are reshaping biopharma R&D - and the ability to translate that understanding into client strategy.
• Demonstrated success in business development: identifying opportunities, shaping proposals, and building senior client relationships.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing junior professionals.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as client and business needs require.

Bachelor's degree

Bonus Points (Preferred Skills)

• MBA, advanced scientific degree (PhD, PharmD, MD), or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant discipline.
• Experience building or scaling a new strategy offering, practice area, or capability from the ground up.
• Track record developing thought leadership - whitepapers, conference presentations, or published perspectives - in the life sciences or R&D space.
• Exercise operating across multiple biopharma sub-sectors (large pharma, emerging biotech, CROs, or medtech) and geographies

Compensation at Accenture varies depending on a wide array of factors, which may include but are not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. As required by local law, Accenture provides a reasonable range of compensation for roles that may be hired as set forth below.
We anticipate this job posting will be posted until 09/19/2026.

Accenture offers a market competitive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability coverage, a 401(k) plan, bonus opportunities, paid holidays, and paid time off. See more information on our benefits here:

U.S. Employee Benefits | Accenture

Role Location Annual Salary Range
California $122,700 to $317,200
Cleveland $122,700 to $317,200
Colorado $122,700 to $317,200
District of Columbia $122,700 to $317,200
Illinois $122,700 to $317,200
Maine $122,700 to $317,200
Maryland $122,700 to $317,200
Massachusetts $122,700 to $317,200
Minnesota $122,700 to $317,200
New York $122,700 to $317,200
New Jersey $122,700 to $317,200
Virginia $122,700 to $317,200
Washington $122,700 to $317,200