Data Excellence Delivery & BD Lead - ZS Discovery

Zs Associates; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive total rewards package

Career progression paths

Robust skills-building programs

Job summary

Zs Associates in Boston is seeking a data and technology consultant to lead advisory engagements in the pharma sector. The ideal candidate will have 8-10 years of experience in consulting and a strong understanding of drug discovery processes.

This role invites collaboration with senior stakeholders and demands skills in data strategy, governance, and transformation efforts. A hybrid working model is offered, allowing flexibility while fostering meaningful connections.

The position emphasizes continuous growth, supported by comprehensive training and internal mobility.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree preferred in life sciences or a related field.
• 8-10+ years of relevant experience in consulting or pharma/biotech.
• Direct experience working in drug discovery or preclinical research.
• Familiarity with scientific data domains relevant to discovery.
• Experience leading transformation programs in research settings.

Responsibilities

• Lead data and technology advisory engagements for pharma.
• Partner with senior client stakeholders to understand challenges.
• Contribute to business development and account growth opportunities.
• Help build ZSD’s Drug Discovery practice and offerings.
• Translate AI and data trends into practical client actions.

Skills

Consulting experience

Leadership

Data strategy

Pharmaceutical knowledge

Client relationship management

Education

Advanced degree in life sciences or related field

MBA or equivalent

Tools

ELN/LIMS

Cloud data platforms

AI/ML workflows

Job description

What You’ll Do:

• Lead data and technology advisory engagements for pharma and biotech discovery organizations, covering data strategy, architecture visioning, governance design, and transformation roadmapping
• Stay involved through design and implementation. You will structure workplans, manage project risks, oversee analyses and workshops, and ensure high-quality deliverables as programs shift from strategy into execution
• Partner with senior client stakeholders across research, discovery informatics, computational sciences, data, and IT to understand their challenges and translate scientific and operational pain points into actionable programs
• Lead multidisciplinary teams that span strategy, technology, analytics, and scientific domains. You will coordinate with offshore delivery teams on implementation workstreams
• Contribute to business development: identify growth opportunities within accounts, shape proposals and scopes of work, and bring informed perspectives on where discovery organizations are headed. At the AP level, you will lead or materially influence sales, account development, and senior executive relationships
• Help build ZSD’s Drug Discovery practice by developing offerings, IP, case examples, and market-facing thought leadership. You will also coach and mentor team members in both consulting skills and domain expertise
• Factor AI and data-readiness into your recommendations. You will not build AI models, but you will need to translate emerging AI and data trends into practical client action

What You’ll Bring:

• Advanced degree preferred in life sciences, chemistry, biology, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, data science, or a related field. An MBA or equivalent is also valued. Not required if domain depth is evident from experience
• Roughly 8-10+ years of relevant experience in consulting, pharma/biotech R&D, research IT, discovery informatics, or a combination
• Direct experience working in or with drug discovery and/or preclinical research organizations
• Familiarity with scientific data domains relevant to discovery, such as assay data, omics, chemistry, biology, imaging, DMPK, or translational data
• Experience with platforms and ecosystems used in research organizations, such as ELN/LIMS, scientific workflow tools, cloud data platforms, knowledge graphs, AI/ML workflows, or bioinformatics environments
• Experience leading transformation programs in research settings (not just administering platforms). Ability to manage stakeholder alignment between IT and research functions, adoption challenges, workflow design
• Experience contributing to or leading sales/business development activities: shaping proposals, scoping extensions, or identifying new opportunities within existing accounts
• Understanding of data architecture, platform selection, integration patterns, and data governance well enough to evaluate technical trade-offs and guide delivery teams. Ability to connect discovery workflows with data and platform decisions
• Demonstrated ability to bridge the language of scientists, informaticians, and business leaders. Comfortability presenting to heads of discovery, research informatics, computational sciences, and digital/data leadership
• 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 the 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.

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.