ZS Associates

Strategy Insights & Planning Associate Consultant

ZS Associates$70K — $95K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • PhD or Master's degree in a quantitative field; 2-5 years relevant post-graduate experience can substitute for a PhD
  • Strong expertise in clinical data management and/or biometrics
  • Experience with pharmaceutical/biotech companies or Contract Research Organizations (CROs)
  • Familiarity with clinical data systems, standards, and workflows
  • Understanding of clinical data standards (e.g., CDISC, SDTM) and data governance
  • Knowledge of clinical trial data lifecycle and regulatory submission requirements
  • Excellent communication skills with the capacity to simplify complex concepts

Responsibilities

  • Leverage structured problem-solving frameworks to address complex client challenges
  • Support the clinical data process throughout the trial lifecycle
  • Define effective collaboration methods with clients and data teams
  • Conduct market and desk research to inform client decisions
  • Design and perform custom analyses with various tools
  • Ensure clinical data is structured and analysis-ready through collaboration
  • Contribute to tech solutions for clinical data management
  • Optimize workflows and operating models in data management
  • Communicate synthesized results through presentations
  • Build and maintain client relationships as a project contact
  • Manage project activities to ensure timely delivery
  • Mentor Associates and support their development

Benefits

  • Comprehensive rewards package supporting health, financial future, and professional development
  • Skills-building programs and tailored learning pathways
  • Career progression opportunities with internal mobility
  • Hybrid working model for flexibility between home and office
  • Opportunities for travel to strengthen client relationships and foster growth
Full Job Description
Strategy Insights and Planning Associate Consultant

ZS's Strategy Insights and Planning teams partner with clients to design and deliver solutions to 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.

What you'll do
  • Leverage structured problem-solving frameworks to develop solutions to complex client business challenges, with a focus on clinical data and biometrics functions
  • Support end-to-end clinical data processes across the trial lifecycle, from data sourcing through regulatory submission readiness
  • Help define and establish effective ways of working with clients across biometrics and clinical data teams
  • Assist in structuring and conducting market research and/or desk research to derive insights and inform client decision-making
  • Design and execute custom analyses using tools such as Excel, Access, Confirmit, and ZS proprietary software
  • Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders and technical teams to ensure clinical data is structured, standardized, and analysis-ready
  • Contribute to the design and implementation of technology solutions supporting the clinical data backbone
  • Develop and optimize processes, workflows, and operating models within clinical data management
  • Synthesize and communicate results to clients and internal teams through clear oral and written presentations
  • Build client relationships and serve as a key point of contact for specific project workstreams
  • Support project management activities, including program planning, status updates, and risk/issue mitigation to ensure timely delivery
  • Mentor and support the development of Associates across project teams
  • Continuously advance problem-solving approaches and contribute to enhancing ZS's capabilities


What you'll bring
  • PhD or Master's degree (with a Bachelor's) in a quantitative field such as business, economics, marketing, psychology, life sciences, or social sciences; in lieu of a PhD, 2-5 years of relevant post-graduate experience will be considered
  • Strong domain expertise in clinical data management and/or biometrics (highly preferred)
  • Experience working at a pharmaceutical/biotech company or Contract Research Organization (CRO)
  • Hands-on familiarity with clinical data systems, standards, and workflows across the clinical trial lifecycle
  • Understanding of clinical data standards (e.g., CDISC, SDTM), data governance, metadata management, and data standardization
  • Experience with electronic data capture (EDC) systems (e.g., Medidata Rave) and broader clinical data platforms
  • Knowledge of clinical trial data lifecycle, including data collection, cleaning, and regulatory submission requirements
  • High motivation, strong work ethic, and demonstrated personal initiative
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to translate complex concepts for diverse audiences
  • Empathy, adaptability, and strong interpersonal impact
  • Strong attention to detail with a quality-focused mindset
  • Self-discipline and strong organizational skills for managing multiple priorities
  • Aptitude for and interest in team leadership and mentorship
  • Fluency in English
  • Client-first mentality
  • Intense work ethic
  • Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach

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.

About ZS Associates

ZS is a professional services firm that works side by side with companies to help develop and deliver products that drive customer value and company results. From R&D to portfolio strategy, customer insights, marketing and sales strategy, operations and technology, we leverage our deep industry expertise and leading-edge analytics to create solutions that work in the real world. Our most valuable asset is our people?a fact that?s reflected in our values-driven organization in which new perspectives are integral and new ideas are celebrated. ZSers are passionately committed to helping companies and their customers thrive in industries ranging from healthcare and life sciences, to high-tech, financial services, travel and transportation, and beyond.
Learn more about ZS Associates
Size
10,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1983

Similar Jobs

More Jobs at ZS Associates

More Pharmaceuticals & Biotech Jobs

Find similar Strategy Insights & Planning Associate Consultant jobs: