Strategy Insights and Planning Associate Consultant

ZS's Strategy Insights and Planning teams partner with clients to design and deliver solutions that help tackle a broad range of business challenges. Our teams work across multiple projects and problem types, leveraging data, market research, strategic thinking, and structured problem-solving to develop actionable recommendations.

As an Associate Consultant, you'll work in a dynamic environment where no two projects are exactly the same. We're looking for someone with a generalist consulting mindset who is intellectually curious, adaptable, and excited to learn. You should be comfortable working through ambiguity, picking up new topics quickly, and applying your skills across different client needs and business challenges. You do not need to be an expert in every area, but you should bring a strong foundation in problem-solving and a willingness to continuously learn and grow.

What you'll do

• Leverage structured problem-solving skills and frameworks to develop solutions to complex client business problems
• Work across a variety of project types and business challenges, quickly learning new industries, topics, and problem areas
• Assist in structuring and conducting market research, primary research, and/or desk research to derive insights and support client decision-making
• Design and conduct custom analyses using tools such as Excel, Access, Confirmit, and ZS proprietary software
• Synthesize complex information and translate findings into clear, actionable recommendations
• Communicate results and recommendations to clients and ZS teams through oral and written presentations
• Develop strong client relationships and serve as a key point of contact for certain aspects of projects
• Support management of project plans, including conducting status updates, identifying risks and issues, and helping keep projects on track
• Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines and contribute wherever needed based on evolving project needs
• Continue building your consulting, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities while contributing to the development of ZS's broader capabilities
• Mentor and support the development of Associates on your projects and teams

What you'll bring

• PhD or Master's degree with a Bachelor's degree in a field with quantitative, analytical, or research-based coursework, such as business, economics, marketing, psychology, life sciences, or social sciences. In lieu of a PhD, 2-5 years of relevant post-study professional experience will be considered
• 2-5 years of relevant professional experience in consulting, strategy, analytics, market research, life sciences, or another environment requiring structured problem-solving and client or stakeholder engagement
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to break down ambiguous business questions
• Intellectual curiosity and a strong willingness to learn new topics, methodologies, and areas of the business
• Adaptability and flexibility to work across different projects, clients, and types of business challenges
• Ability to learn quickly and become comfortable working in unfamiliar subject areas
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to clearly communicate insights and recommendations
• Strong attention to detail with a quality-focused mindset
• Ability to independently plan, prioritize, and organize work while managing multiple responsibilities
• Collaborative, team-oriented approach and willingness to contribute where needed
• Ability and interest in mentoring and supporting junior team members
• Maturity, personal initiative, and a client-first mentality
• Fluency in English

Core profile

• 2-5 years of relevant experience
• Consulting, strategy, analytics, research, or similarly problem-solving-heavy background
• Strong structured problem-solving
• Strong communication/client presence
• Quantitative/analytical comfort
• Generalist rather than a narrow subject-matter specialist
• Adaptable and comfortable with ambiguity
• Curious and able to learn new topics quickly
• Comfortable moving between different types of projects and business problems
• Collaborative and willing to pitch in wherever the project needs them

How you'll grow:

• 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

Perks & 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 United States, visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS.

Hybrid working model:

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.