Associate Principal

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here youll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life-changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client-first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life-changing impact to ZS.

Associate Principal, Global Drug Development Consulting & Expertise Centre

Role Overview

The Global Drug Development Consulting & Expertise Centre Lead is a senior leadership role responsible for building and scaling a global consulting capability from India, while delivering high-impact client engagements across the drug development value chain.

This role sits at the intersection of:

• End-to-end consulting project delivery and client
• Deep Drug Development domain expertise
• Knowledge services and global capability building

The Consulting & Expertise Centre Lead will act as a trusted advisor to senior R&D leaders, a builder of teams and offerings, and a key contributor to practice growth, working closely with Principals and Partners across regions.

What Youll Do:

Client Leadership & Consulting Delivery

• Lead complex, multi-workstream consulting engagements across Clinical Development, Regulatory and Pharmacovigilance
• Serve as aclient partner to senior Director-, VP-, and C-suite-level stakeholders within global R&D organizations
• Interpret client needs and problem statements, understanding complex challenges in context and helping to interpret business and technology requirements
• Deliver solutions, translating strategy into executable roadmaps and produce high-quality outputs that exactly meet client needs
• Ensure high-quality delivery excellence across strategy, operating model design, process transformation, system-enabled change, system implementations, data initiatives, AI initiatives
• Represent ZS as athought leader in client discussions, workshops, and executive forums

Practice & Capability Building

• Growing R&D consulting capability in India, expanding and leading the team of practitioners, engaging with senior clients and principals across the practice
• Growing and leading our team of deep experts with scientific, domain, functional, standards, regulations expertise across life sciences industry and collaborative initiatives initiative
• Collaborating to increase the value and impact of our knowledge services and industry research capability
• 
  Develop and mentor high-performing teams across consulting, analytics, and domain experts
• Establish delivery standards, reusable assets, playbooks, and best practices across Drug Development
• Act as alocal leader in India for the Drug Development consulting, expert and knowledge capability, working closely with global practice leadership
• Balance utilization, quality, and scalability to support sustainable growth of the practice

Business Development & Growth

• Identify new client opportunities and expand existing accounts through trusted relationships and collaboration with global drug development leads
• Lead proposal development, including RFP responses, proactive value propositions, detailed solutioning, and commercial considerations - in close collaboration with global drug development leads
• Partner with Principals and Partners to shapenew offerings aligned to evolving R&D and clinical innovation trends
• Contribute to long-term practice strategy, investment priorities, talent planning, location strategy and global ways of working

Thought Leadership & Market Impact

• Develop internal and external thought leadership on topics such as:
• Future of Clinical Development and Clinical Trials
• R&D Operating Model Transformation
• Regulatory Evolution
• Digital, Analytics, Platform and AI enablement across R&D
• Contribute to white papers, points of view, and conference presentations
• Stay at the forefront of regulatory, technology, and operating model changes in global Drug Development

What Youll Bring:

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Medicine, Engineering, or related field (MBA or equivalent preferred)
• 15+ years of experience across Drug Development, R&D consulting, or life sciences transformation roles
• Strong domain expertise across one or more of:
• Clinical Development
• Regulatory Affairs
• Pharmacovigilance / Drug Safety
• R&D Operations
• Proven experience leadinglarge-scale consulting or transformation programs with global teams and global clients
• Demonstrated ability to build and leadhigh-performing teams, multi-disciplinary teams with high degrees of co-ordination and collaboration
• Strong client presence with experience influencing senior stakeholders
• Prior experience intop-tier consulting or global life sciences organizations

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  Experience withR&D technology platforms (e.g., Veeva, Oracle, Medidata, AWS, ECS)
• Background inoperating model design, process harmonization, and change management and proven results to create value for clients
• Experience working in or buildingglobal delivery / offshore consulting models with a clear point of view on how to optimize this model for both the client and the company
• Track record ofbusiness development and account growth understanding sales processes, pipeline management, pricing excellence

• Executive-level communication and storytelling with high attention to detail, messaging and tailoring to audience
• Ability to operate at both strategic and hands-on levels, unafraid to roll sleeves up
• People-first leader with a coaching mindset, with progressive techniques, high priority on inclusion and creating a sense of belonging on the team
• High ownership, entrepreneurial mindset, and bias for impact whilst solving for both the client and the company.

How youll 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, youll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in , visit .

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.

Considering applying

At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems-the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

If youre eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, we encourage you to apply.
ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.
To complete your application:
Candidates must possess or be able to obtain work authorization for their intended country of employment. An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.
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