Associate Consultant (Campus - 2027)

Inizio Ignite | Putnam; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Mentorship from experienced leaders

Professional development programs

Graduate education tuition assistance

Inclusive culture with DEI focus

Job summary

Inizio Ignite | Putnam is seeking an Associate Consultant to collaborate with experienced consultants on strategic issues for leading life sciences companies. You’ll engage in research, data analysis, and the development of client-ready recommendations.

You’ll work on a range of engagements across drug development, commercialization, and access strategy, gaining exposure to both scientific and business perspectives from day one.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree expected by June 2027
• Minimum GPA of 3.3; 3.5+ preferred
• Demonstrated academic excellence, leadership and initiative through coursework or experience
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills; ability to solve complex problems
• Self-motivated, intellectually curious and thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative consulting environment

Responsibilities

• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to identify key business issues and strategic opportunities
• Analyze client, market, and industry data to develop actionable insights
• Build analytical models and synthesize information into clear, compelling recommendations
• Contribute to the development of strategic conclusions and client presentations
• Collaborate with team members and client stakeholders to deliver data-driven solutions
• Develop and own analyses and recommendations to support client discussions

Skills

Analytical thinking

Quantitative analysis

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Life Sciences/Economics/Finance

GPA 3.3 minimum (3.5+ preferred)

Job description

About Inizio Ignite, Putnam

Inizio Ignite is the global advisory partner for health and life sciences, encompassing connected expertise across Research Partnership, Putnam, Vynamic, and STEM. Guided by purpose, passion, and precision, we collaborate with clients to ignite impact, accelerate performance, and deliver lasting change for patients.

Our Putnam strategy consulting team bridges science and strategy to enable confident decision-making and build value for pharma. We partner with leading health and life science companies serving brand & commercial leaders, Medical Affairs, access & pricing, and R&D. Our expertise spans offerings including therapeutic area strategy, data & AI strategy, go-to-market strategy, commercialization & growth, value, pricing & access (VPA) strategy, and evidence generation.

Proudly part of Inizio – the market-leading commercialization partner for health and life sciences. From early-stage development to loss of exclusivity, we simplify complexity, unlock value, and make collaboration seamless at every pivotal moment – supporting confident, insight-driven decisions that move innovation forward.

Role Overview

As an Associate Consultant at Inizio Ignite, Putnam, you’ll work alongside experienced consultants to help leading life sciences companies solve complex strategic and business challenges. You’ll gain exposure to the critical issues shaping today’s healthcare landscape while developing a deep understanding of both the scientific and commercial aspects of the industry.

As a key member of a collaborative project team, you will contribute to every stage of the consulting process—from conducting research and analyzing data to supporting development of strategic recommendations. Project teams typically consist of 4–7 professionals led by a Partner, providing you with meaningful mentorship, hands-on experience, and opportunities for professional growth.

This role offers a dynamic environment where you’ll build strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills while making a measurable impact on projects for some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and healthcare organizations.

Here’s What You’ll Be Doing

While responsibilities vary across engagements, Associate Consultants play a critical role in every stage of the consulting process. Typical responsibilities include:

• Conducting qualitative and quantitative research to identify key business issues and strategic opportunities.
• Analyzing client, market, and industry data to develop actionable insights.
• Building analytical models and synthesizing complex information into clear, compelling recommendations.
• Contributing to the development of strategic conclusions and client presentations.
• Collaborating closely with team members and client stakeholders to deliver high-quality, data-driven solutions.
• Develop and own analyses and recommendations that support client discussions.

At Inizio Ignite, Putnam, Associate Consultants are expected to combine rigorous analytical thinking with strategic problem-solving. From day one, you will make meaningful contributions to client engagements while developing the skills needed to become a trusted advisor to leading life sciences organizations.

Here’s What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Economics, Finance, or a related field, with graduation expected by June 2027.
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 required; 3.5 or higher preferred.
• Demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and initiative through coursework, internships, extracurricular activities, and/or professional experience.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with the ability to solve complex problems and think critically.
• Self-motivated, intellectually curious, and able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative consulting environment.

What We Offer

At Inizio Ignite, Putnam, we are committed to investing in your success from day one. As an Associate Consultant, you’ll benefit from:

• Competitive compensation, including a market-leading base salary and performance-based annual bonus.
• Accelerated career growth through a structured promotion path, comprehensive learning and development programs, and dedicated mentorship from experienced consultants and leaders.
• Comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, a 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contributions, generous paid time off, and health and wellness benefits.
• Professional development support, including opportunities for graduate education tuition reimbursement and ongoing skills development.
• Meaningful client exposure from the start of your career, working alongside industry experts on high-impact projects for leading life sciences organizations.
• A collaborative and inclusive culture that values curiosity, teamwork, and continuous learning while encouraging you to bring your authentic self to work.

Our primary US office locations are Boston, New York and San Francisco.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are tenets of our core values. We strive to create a culture and environment that fosters belonging and authenticity across all levels and values individuals for their skills, experience, diverse backgrounds, and unique perspectives. Collectively, DEI serves as a foundational element of who we are and how we work with our clients and with each other.

Our core values:

• Team
• Excellence
• Strategic
• Passion
• Diversity

This is an Equal Employment Opportunity

Please note that Putnam Associates is in no way affiliated with Putnam Investments and that this is not a finance opportunity.