Pharma and Life Sciences R&D Operations Consultant, Senior Associate

PwC; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 77,000 - 202,000; Full time

Job summary

PwC is seeking a Pharma and Life Sciences R&D Operations Consultant, Senior Associate, to advise clients across the drug development lifecycle. You will analyze problems, design strategies, and mentor juniors while collaborating with PwC's Operations Consulting practice.

You will help improve R&D productivity, trial design, and process optimization, guiding organizational design and analytics-driven decisions to drive client value and innovation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum 4 years of experience in pharma/Life Sciences consulting or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Analyze complex problems in pharma and life sciences R&D operations to derive actionable insights.
• Develop and implement strategies to improve R&D productivity, clinical trial design, and process optimization.
• Support organizational design initiatives to streamline R&D functions and improve operational effectiveness.
• Use decision support tools and analytics to inform decisions across the R&D lifecycle.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to optimize portfolio and resource management.
• Develop and implement operations strategies to support client growth and innovation.
• Document processes and ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
• Prepare for client workshops, create executive presentations, and coordinate project activities.

Skills

Analytics/Data Science

AI in Pharma

Biology/Biomedical Sciences

Operations Management

R&D Lifecycle

Project/Technology Management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Opportunity

As a Pharma and Life Sciences R&D Operations Consultant, Senior Associate, you will engage with clients to advise on strategic and operational areas throughout the drug development lifecycle, including clinical trial design, R&D operations, organizational design, process optimization, regulatory compliance, decision support, and analytics. You will leverage your skills to analyze complex problems and deliver impactful solutions. This role involves working closely with clients to understand their needs and develop strategies that drive operational efficiency and innovation.

As a Senior Associate, you will focus on building meaningful client connections and guiding junior team members. You will navigate complex situations, using your problem-solving abilities to anticipate client needs and deliver quality outcomes. Your role will involve mentoring others and maintaining professional standards, contributing to the firm's overall business strategies.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to work within our Operations Consulting practice, where you will collaborate with a diverse team to deliver value to our clients. Your contributions will be integral to developing a deeper understanding of the business context and fostering personal growth within the firm.

Responsibilities

• Analyzing complex problems within pharma and life sciences R&D operations to develop actionable insights

Working with PwC teams and clients to develop and implement strategies to improve R&D productivity, clinical trial design, and process optimization

• Supporting organizational design initiatives to streamline R&D functions and improve operational effectiveness
• Utilizing decision support tools and analytics to inform decisions across the R&D lifecycle
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to optimize portfolio and resource management
• Developing and implementing operations strategies to support client growth and innovation
• Documenting processes and confirming compliance with industry standards and regulations

Participating with the preparation for client workshops, developing executive-ready presentations, and coordinating project activities to support trusted client relationships and timely delivery

• Guiding teams in embracing change and fostering intellectual curiosity to improve operations management

What You Must Have

• At least a Bachelor's degree
• At least 4 years of experience

What Sets You Apart

• Preference for at least one of the following fields of study: Analytics/Data Science, Artificial Intelligence/Robotics, Biology/Biomedical Sciences, Business Administration/Management, Computer Science/Information Systems, Engineering, Environmental Science/Sustainability, Health Administration/Public Health, Mathematics/Statistics, Operations/Supply Chain, Project/Technology Management, Science
• Working across pharmaceutical functions such as Strategic Planning, Clinical Operations, Medical Affairs, or Regulatory Affairs
• Supporting R&D activities within contract research organizations (CROs), academic research, regulatory health authorities, or life sciences consulting environments.
• Applying knowledge of the R&D lifecycle, industry trends, and leading practices to inform strategy and execution
• Demonstrating proficiency in operations management and strategy
• Utilizing analytical thinking to drive data-informed R&D decisions
• Embracing emerging technologies and AI in pharma and life sciences
• Excelling in R&D lifecycle management, including clinical trial design and process optimization
• Developing go-to-market strategies for innovative solutions
• Navigating complex client engagements with ease

The salary range for this position is: $77,000 - $202,000. Actual compensation within the range will be dependent upon the individual's skills, experience, qualifications and location, and applicable employment laws. All hired individuals are eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. PwC offers a wide range of benefits, including medical, dental, vision, 401k, holiday pay, vacation, personal and family sick leave, and more. To view our benefits at a glance, please visit the following link: https://pwc.to/benefits-at-a-glance

As PwC is an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment at PwC without regard to race; color; religion; national origin; sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity); age; disability; genetic information (including family medical history); veteran, marital, or citizenship status; or, any other status protected by law.

PwC does not intend to hire experienced or entry level job seekers who will need, now or in the future, PwC sponsorship through the H-1B lottery, except as set forth within the following policy: https://pwc.to/H-1B-Lottery-Policy.

Learn more about how we work: https://pwc.to/how-we-work

For only those qualified applicants that are impacted by the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, the Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, San Diego County Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act, where applicable, arrest or conviction records will be considered for Employment in accordance with these laws. At PwC, we recognize that conviction records may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship to responsibilities such as accessing sensitive company or customer information, handling proprietary assets, or collaborating closely with team members. We evaluate these factors thoughtfully to establish a secure and trusted workplace for all.