Strategy Insights & Planning Associate Consultant, Commercial Strategy & Launch Excellence
ZS Associates · San Francisco, United States · 1mo ago
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 you’ll 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.
Strategy Insights & Planning Associate Consultant, Commercial Strategy & Launch Excellence
ZS's Strategy Insights and Planning teams partner with clients to solve complex business challenges and drive meaningful impact across the healthcare industry. This team works closely with commercial leaders, marketers, sales organizations, insights and analytics teams, and other cross-functional stakeholders to design and execute strategies that improve business performance and customer outcomes.
What You'll Do
- Partner with client marketing and commercial teams to develop and execute business, brand, and launch strategies.
- Support product launch planning and commercialization efforts, including pre-launch readiness, launch execution, and post-launch performance optimization.
- Work across marketing, sales, insights and analytics, market research, and other cross-functional teams to align stakeholders and drive organizational goals.
- Structure and solve complex, ambiguous business challenges using strategic problem-solving frameworks and hypothesis-driven thinking.
- Develop actionable recommendations by synthesizing market research, stakeholder input, industry trends, and business insights.
- Design and facilitate governance models, decision-making processes, and operating structures that improve cross-functional collaboration and execution.
- Lead project management and orchestration activities, including workstream coordination, risk management, timeline management, and stakeholder communication.
- Support initiatives focused on sales force effectiveness, sales readiness, customer engagement, and patient experience.
- Create executive-level presentations, business cases, and strategic narratives that influence decision-making and drive action.
- Present recommendations and progress updates to client stakeholders and senior leadership teams.
- Develop strong client relationships and serve as a trusted thought partner on key project activities.
- Mentor Associates and contribute to the growth of team capabilities and best practices.
What You'll Bring
- Master's degree, PhD, or bachelor's degree with 2-5 years of relevant professional experience in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, life sciences consulting, healthcare consulting, commercial strategy, launch excellence, market access, marketing strategy, or commercial operations. Pharmaceutical industry experience is strongly preferred.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to bring structure to complex and ambiguous business challenges.
- Experience managing cross-functional initiatives and driving alignment among multiple stakeholders.
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong executive communication, presentation, and storytelling capabilities.
- Ability to develop insight-driven recommendations, even when limited data is available.
- Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and build collaborative partnerships.
- Intellectual curiosity and the ability to quickly understand new industries, markets, and business environments.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- High degree of initiative, adaptability, accountability, and attention to detail.
- Collaborative mindset and commitment to delivering exceptional client service.
- Experience in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or life sciences is strongly preferred, particularly experience supporting commercial strategy, product launches, brand strategy, market research, market access, or cross-functional commercialization initiatives.
Why Join This Team
- Work on highly visible and impactful commercialization and launch initiatives.
- Partner directly with client marketing and commercial leaders.
- Gain significant client exposure and opportunities to influence strategic decisions.
- Collaborate with a highly supportive, engaging, and team-oriented group.
- Solve new challenges every day in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Experience meaningful work that directly impacts how products reach and serve customers and patients.
- Enjoy strong mentorship, professional development, and opportunities for growth.
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.
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. Learn more 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 you’re 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.
Work Authorization:
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.
To complete your application:
An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.
NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.
Find Out More At:
www.zs.com
Strategy Insights & Planning Associate Consultant, Commercial Strategy & Launch Excellence
ZS's Strategy Insights and Planning teams partner with clients to solve complex business challenges and drive meaningful impact across the healthcare industry. This team works closely with commercial leaders, marketers, sales organizations, insights and analytics teams, and other cross-functional stakeholders to design and execute strategies that improve business performance and customer outcomes.
What You'll Do
- Partner with client marketing and commercial teams to develop and execute business, brand, and launch strategies.
- Support product launch planning and commercialization efforts, including pre-launch readiness, launch execution, and post-launch performance optimization.
- Work across marketing, sales, insights and analytics, market research, and other cross-functional teams to align stakeholders and drive organizational goals.
- Structure and solve complex, ambiguous business challenges using strategic problem-solving frameworks and hypothesis-driven thinking.
- Develop actionable recommendations by synthesizing market research, stakeholder input, industry trends, and business insights.
- Design and facilitate governance models, decision-making processes, and operating structures that improve cross-functional collaboration and execution.
- Lead project management and orchestration activities, including workstream coordination, risk management, timeline management, and stakeholder communication.
- Support initiatives focused on sales force effectiveness, sales readiness, customer engagement, and patient experience.
- Create executive-level presentations, business cases, and strategic narratives that influence decision-making and drive action.
- Present recommendations and progress updates to client stakeholders and senior leadership teams.
- Develop strong client relationships and serve as a trusted thought partner on key project activities.
- Mentor Associates and contribute to the growth of team capabilities and best practices.
What You'll Bring
- Master's degree, PhD, or bachelor's degree with 2-5 years of relevant professional experience in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, life sciences consulting, healthcare consulting, commercial strategy, launch excellence, market access, marketing strategy, or commercial operations. Pharmaceutical industry experience is strongly preferred.
- Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to bring structure to complex and ambiguous business challenges.
- Experience managing cross-functional initiatives and driving alignment among multiple stakeholders.
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong executive communication, presentation, and storytelling capabilities.
- Ability to develop insight-driven recommendations, even when limited data is available.
- Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and build collaborative partnerships.
- Intellectual curiosity and the ability to quickly understand new industries, markets, and business environments.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- High degree of initiative, adaptability, accountability, and attention to detail.
- Collaborative mindset and commitment to delivering exceptional client service.
- Experience in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or life sciences is strongly preferred, particularly experience supporting commercial strategy, product launches, brand strategy, market research, market access, or cross-functional commercialization initiatives.
Why Join This Team
- Work on highly visible and impactful commercialization and launch initiatives.
- Partner directly with client marketing and commercial leaders.
- Gain significant client exposure and opportunities to influence strategic decisions.
- Collaborate with a highly supportive, engaging, and team-oriented group.
- Solve new challenges every day in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Experience meaningful work that directly impacts how products reach and serve customers and patients.
- Enjoy strong mentorship, professional development, and opportunities for growth.
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.
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. Learn more 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 you’re 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.
Work Authorization:
This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.
To complete your application:
An on-line application, including a full set of transcripts (official or unofficial), is required to be considered.
NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.
Find Out More At:
www.zs.com