Discovery Client Lead

Zs Associates; Town of Boston (NY); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ZS Associates in the United States seeks a Discovery Client Lead to own client relationships and revenue across assigned accounts, combining scientific insight with strategic consulting to drive bio/pharma outcomes.

You will build account plans, connect clients with ZS capabilities in data, AI, and scientific strategy, and lead delivery teams to ensure high-quality engagements and growth opportunities.

Qualifications

• Advanced scientific degree and research background required.
• Fluent English with strong communication skills.
• Experience in or with pharma/biotech R&D environments.
• Experience leading client-facing teams and projects.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Discovery Client Lead (DCL) for assigned accounts, owning client relationships and strategy.
• Develop and execute account plans based on client R&D priorities and decision processes.
• Build trusted relationships with scientists and senior stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities across Discovery portfolio and drive growth across services.
• Connect clients with relevant ZS capabilities to deliver integrated solutions.
• Coordinate with Client Service Leads and capability leaders to align work with strategy.
• Lead delivery teams within accounts to ensure high-quality engagement.
• Support business development through proposals and expanding engagements.

Skills

Advanced degree

Client relationship

Business development

Cross-service orientation

Drug discovery knowledge

Team leadership

Consulting experience

English fluency

Client-first mentality

Strong work ethic

Collaborative culture

Education

PhD or PharmD

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.

#LI-AS4

ZS's Insights & Analytics group partners 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.

ZS Discovery partners with pharmaceutical and biotech clients to accelerate the discovery of safer, more effective therapeutics. The team brings hands‑on scientific expertise, advanced analytics, AI, and strategic consulting to help research organizations become more productive, more data‑driven, and more confident in their decisions. As a venture within ZS building toward practice status, Discovery combines agility and innovation with the resources and knowledge of the broader firm.

What you’ll do:

• Serve as the named Discovery Client Lead (DCL) for assigned accounts, owning the client relationship, ZSD revenue, and overall account strategy
• Develop and execute account plans based on a deep understanding of the client’s R&D organization, priorities, and decision‑making structure
• Build trusted relationships across client stakeholders, from working‑level scientists to senior R&D leaders
• Identify opportunities across the full Discovery portfolio (scientific strategy, bioinformatics, AI, data, and technology) and drive integrated growth across service lines
• Proactively connect clients with the right ZS expertise, including in areas outside your own domain, to deliver coordinated solutions
• Collaborate within the broader account structure (e.g., Client Service Leads, capability leaders) to align Discovery work with overall account strategy
• Lead and coordinate ZSD delivery teams within accounts, ensuring high‑quality execution and continuity of client engagement
• Support business development efforts, including shaping opportunities, contributing to proposals, and expanding existing engagements

What you’ll bring:

• Advanced degree in a relevant scientific field (e.g., PhD, PharmD) or equivalent applied experience in research and translational sciences
• Strong client relationship and communication skills, with the ability to engage credibly with scientific and senior stakeholders
• Experience contributing to or leading business development, including opportunity identification and proposal development
• Demonstrated cross‑service orientation, identifying client needs beyond your domain and bringing in the right capabilities
• Broad familiarity with drug discovery, with depth in at least one area (e.g., bioinformatics, AI, data, scientific strategy, or technology)
• Experience leading or contributing to client‑facing teams, including scaling delivery and developing team members
• Experience in a consulting firm, CRO, pharma services organization, or pharma/biotech R&D environment preferred
• 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.