Pharma R&D Strategy & Transformation Leader

Accenture France; Paris; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Accenture Life Sciences seeks an Associate Director to lead high-impact strategy and transformation engagements for pharmaceutical clients, focusing on R&D across discovery, preclinical, clinical, and portfolio strategy. You will guide senior stakeholders, shape strategic recommendations, and drive growth through thought leadership and talent development.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, oversee program governance, and deliver integrated transformation solutions across Technology, Data

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Typically 12+ years of relevant experience in management consulting AND the pharmaceutical industry, with significant exposure to R&D strategy, transformation, or operations.
• Proven track record leading complex consulting engagements or enterprise initiatives in pharmaceutical R&D.
• Demonstrated experience advising senior stakeholders at VP, SVP, or C-suite level.
• Strong experience in several areas: R&D strategy, portfolio management, clinical development, clinical operations, trial innovation, operating model design, digital/data/AI in R&D, regulatory transformation, or external innovation.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing multiple workstreams, budgets, and senior stakeholders in an international environment.
• Professional fluency in English & French.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior R&D stakeholders, including Heads of Research, Translational Medicine, Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, Regulatory, and Portfolio Strategy.
• Lead executive-level problem solving on topics such as R&D strategy, innovation models, portfolio prioritization, development productivity, trial modernization, and target operating model design.
• Translate complex client issues into structured hypotheses, workplans, decision frameworks, and pragmatic recommendations linked to measurable business outcomes.
• Lead end-to-end engagements across diagnostic, strategy, design, and transformation phases, ensuring high-quality delivery and lasting client impact.
• Oversee the development of business cases, operating models, governance structures, implementation roadmaps, and executive-level communications.
• Manage risks, interdependencies, and senior stakeholder alignment across complex, global, cross-functional programs.
• Connect strategy to execution by working closely with Accenture teams across Technology, Data & AI, and Operations to deliver integrated transformation solutions.
• Identify, qualify, and shape new opportunities within existing and prospective pharmaceutical accounts.
• Lead or co-lead proposals, RFP responses, commercial discussions, and client presentations with clear articulation of value and differentiation.
• Develop repeatable offerings, methodologies, and thought leadership focused on pharmaceutical R&D transformation and innovation.
• Contribute to the growth of the Life Sciences practice through market-facing initiatives, alliance development, and internal capability building.

Job description

Accenture Life Sciences seeks an Associate Director to lead high-impact strategy and transformation engagements for pharmaceutical clients, focusing on R&D across discovery, preclinical, clinical, and portfolio strategy. You will guide senior stakeholders, shape strategic recommendations, and drive growth through thought leadership and talent development.

You will lead multidisciplinary teams, oversee program governance, and deliver integrated transformation solutions across Technology, Data