Client Insights & Market Research Associate Consultant

Zs Associates; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ZS Associates in South San Francisco seeks a Strategy Insights and Planning Associate Consultant to tackle market research and strategic questions for a global biopharmaceutical client. You will design and execute primary and secondary research, partner with client stakeholders, coordinate across global teams, and translate insights into clear, actionable recommendations.

This role offers hybrid work, opportunities to grow in healthcare and life sciences, and a collaborative, high‑impact

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree with a bachelor's in business, economics, marketing, psychology, life sciences, social sciences or another quantitative discipline.
• 2+ years of professional experience outside of academic research, ideally in market research, consulting, strategic insights, customer insights or a related business-focused environment.
• Experience managing client relationships and presenting findings to stakeholders.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently while thriving in a collaborative team environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support market research projects for a global biopharmaceutical client, helping answer key commercial and strategic business questions.
• Design and execute primary and secondary market research initiatives, synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations for clients.
• Partner directly with client stakeholders and serve as a day-to-day point of contact for project updates, deliverables and strategic discussions.
• Coordinate and manage project execution across global teams, including colleagues based in India and Argentina, ensuring high-quality deliverables and adherence to timelines.
• Conduct market research analyses and leverage data to uncover insights related to customer needs, market dynamics and business opportunities.
• Translate complex research findings into clear, compelling presentations and recommendations for both client and internal leadership teams.
• Support project planning, risk management and status communications to ensure successful project delivery.
• Contribute to the development of junior team members through coaching, mentorship and collaborative problem solving.
• Demonstrate curiosity, attention to detail and a willingness to learn while developing expertise in the healthcare and life sciences industry.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Detail-oriented

Independent yet collaborative

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

PhD or Master's with Bachelor's in quantitative field

Job description

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

ZS's Strategy Insights and Planning teams partner with clients to design and deliver solutions to help them tackle a broad range of business challenges. Our teams work on multiple projects simultaneously, leveraging advanced data analytics and problem‑solving techniques. Our recommendations and solutions are based on rigorous research and analysis underpinned by deep expertise and thought leadership.

What you’ll do

• Lead and support market research projects for a global biopharmaceutical client, helping answer key commercial and strategic business questions.
• Design and execute primary and secondary market research initiatives, synthesizing findings into actionable recommendations for clients.
• Partner directly with client stakeholders and serve as a day‑to‑day point of contact for project updates, deliverables and strategic discussions.
• Coordinate and manage project execution across global teams, including colleagues based in India and Argentina, ensuring high‑quality deliverables and adherence to timelines.
• Conduct market research analyses and leverage data to uncover insights related to customer needs, market dynamics and business opportunities.
• Translate complex research findings into clear, compelling presentations and recommendations for both client and internal leadership teams.
• Support project planning, risk management and status communications to ensure successful project delivery.
• Contribute to the development of junior team members through coaching, mentorship and collaborative problem solving.
• Demonstrate curiosity, attention to detail and a willingness to learn while developing expertise in the healthcare and life sciences industry.

What you’ll bring

• PhD or Master's degree with a bachelor's degree in business, economics, marketing, psychology, life sciences, social sciences or another quantitative discipline. In lieu of a PhD, candidates with 2-5 years of relevant professional experience will be considered.
• 2+ years of professional experience outside of academic research, ideally in market research, consulting, strategic insights, customer insights or a related business‑focused environment.
• Experience managing client relationships and presenting findings to stakeholders.
  Strong market research experience, including primary and/or secondary research methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple workstreams and collaborate with global teams.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and critical‑thinking skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate complex findings to non‑technical audiences.
• High attention to detail, strong organizational skills and a commitment to producing high‑quality work.
• Proven ability to work independently while thriving in a collaborative team environment.
• Willingness to learn and develop expertise in the healthcare and life sciences industry.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology or healthcare industry.
• Previous consulting experience, either at a consulting firm or in a client‑facing advisory role.
• Experience supporting commercial strategy, customer insights, brand strategy or market access initiatives.

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.

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.

www.zs.com