Associate Consultant – Discovery Strategy & Transformation
ZS Associates
Boston, MA · Posted October 19, 2026
Just laid off? Start here: a plan for the first weeks
See every open role at ZS Associates
More in Massachusetts job market · All Associate Consultant jobs (87) · Professional Services & Consulting · Strategy jobs
More roles at ZS Associates
- Decision Analytics Consultant- Forecasting · New York, NY
- Lead AI Engineer · Bellevue, WA
- Administrative Assistant · Chicago, IL
- Administrative Services Director/Senior Manager · Princeton, NJ
- Digital Product Transformation Consultant · Boston, MA
- Manager – Enterprise IT Architecture (Manufacturing & Supply Chain) · Princeton, NJ
Similar jobs
- Strategy Analyst/Associate · Repligen · Waltham, MA
- Consulting Associate/Recovery Services (Forensic Services practice) · Charles River Associates · Boston, MA
- Strategic Production Planner (ERP/MRP) · Viken Detection · Burlington, MA
- Strategic Production Planner & ERP Optimizer · Swick Home Services · Andover, MA
- Strategic Production Planner: MRP & Lean · Highres Biosolutions · Beverly, MA
- Strategic Workout Credit Analyst II · TD Bank Group · Braintree, MA
Where Boston, MA ranks
Where Boston, MA placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.
November 2026
- #1Best cities for life sciences and biotech jobs793 openings · of 41
- #1Cities with the most jobs that do not need a four-year degree in New England390 jobs · of 14
- #1Best cities for AI-skill jobs in New England21% · of 28
- #1Best cities for software and engineering jobs in New England910 openings · of 24
- #1Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in the Northeast71 / 100 · of 26
- #1Best all-round cities for mid-career professionals in New England71 / 100 · of 11
Pay compared with the market
This listing does not state pay. Across 37 open associate consultant listings that state pay, the middle half runs $72,500 to $102,500 and the median is $92,500.
Listed pay is what employers advertise, not what people are paid.
Skills this job asks for
Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.
About the job
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 and Planning Associate Consultant
As an Associate Consultant within Discovery Strategy & Transformation, you’ll help biotech and life sciences organizations solve complex challenges at the intersection of science, business, technology, and change. You’ll work with research and discovery teams on initiatives such as AI adoption, process reimagination, transformation orchestration, change enablement, and value realization.
This role is ideal for someone who understands how scientific organizations operate and can translate technical or research-driven challenges into structured business problems, practical recommendations, and measurable impact.
What you’ll do
Support strategy and transformation engagements across biotech and life sciences research organizations.
Help clients adopt new technologies, including AI, by defining change strategies, user needs, value drivers, and impact metrics.
Apply design thinking, lean principles, and structured problem solving to ambiguous business and operational challenges.
Reimagine processes and decision-making approaches to improve efficiency, adoption, and business outcomes.
Develop analyses, recommendations, and client-ready presentations for scientific, business, and technology stakeholders.
Facilitate discussions and workshops that help organizations align on priorities, operating models, and transformation plans.
What you’ll bring
At least 2.5 years of relevant experience across consulting, life sciences, strategy, transformation, or business advisory.
Life sciences or biotech experience is required, ideally with exposure to research, discovery, wet lab, dry lab, bioinformatics, computational biology, or scientific R&D environments.
Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in biology, bioinformatics, life sciences, engineering, or a related scientific field.
Experience with one or more of the following: change management, change enablement, design thinking, lean/process improvement, corporate strategy, technology transformation, or AI adoption.
Strong structured problem-solving, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to connect scientific and technical topics to broader business objectives, value creation, and ROI.
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.
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 and Planning Associate Consultant
As an Associate Consultant within Discovery Strategy & Transformation, you’ll help biotech and life sciences organizations solve complex challenges at the intersection of science, business, technology, and change. You’ll work with research and discovery teams on initiatives such as AI adoption, process reimagination, transformation orchestration, change enablement, and value realization.
This role is ideal for someone who understands how scientific organizations operate and can translate technical or research-driven challenges into structured business problems, practical recommendations, and measurable impact.
What you’ll do
Support strategy and transformation engagements across biotech and life sciences research organizations.
Help clients adopt new technologies, including AI, by defining change strategies, user needs, value drivers, and impact metrics.
Apply design thinking, lean principles, and structured problem solving to ambiguous business and operational challenges.
Reimagine processes and decision-making approaches to improve efficiency, adoption, and business outcomes.
Develop analyses, recommendations, and client-ready presentations for scientific, business, and technology stakeholders.
Facilitate discussions and workshops that help organizations align on priorities, operating models, and transformation plans.
What you’ll bring
At least 2.5 years of relevant experience across consulting, life sciences, strategy, transformation, or business advisory.
Life sciences or biotech experience is required, ideally with exposure to research, discovery, wet lab, dry lab, bioinformatics, computational biology, or scientific R&D environments.
Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD in biology, bioinformatics, life sciences, engineering, or a related scientific field.
Experience with one or more of the following: change management, change enablement, design thinking, lean/process improvement, corporate strategy, technology transformation, or AI adoption.
Strong structured problem-solving, analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to connect scientific and technical topics to broader business objectives, value creation, and ROI.
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.
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