Principal/Commercial Strategy (Life Sciences practice)

Charles River Associates; Washington; Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid time off

Paid parental leave

Wellness programs

Commuter benefits

Life and disability insurance

Job summary

Charles River Associates is seeking an Associate Principal for its Life Sciences practice in the United States. You will lead major client engagements, design analytic frameworks, and guide teams to deliver rigorous economic analyses that support decision makers in pharma, biotech, diagnostics, and medical devices.

The role emphasizes project management, client relationship development, and firm growth through new opportunities.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in life sciences or MBA is required.
• 7+ years of post-degree experience in consulting preferred.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; demonstrated leadership.

Responsibilities

• Manage large projects profitably with high client satisfaction.
• Independently develop a conceptual framework and analytic tasks.
• Manage multiple client relationships for long-term potential.
• Supervise and direct team work, coaching and quality results.
• Contribute to business development and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Qualitative analysis

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Business development

Independent work

Teamwork

Travel

Creative thinking

Education

Ph.D. in life sciences

MBA

Job description

About Charles River Associates

Charles River Associates is a leading global consulting firm that provides economic, financial, and business management expertise to major law firms, corporations and governments around the world. CRA provides independent economic and financial analysis behind litigation matters, guides corporations through critical business strategy and operational issues to become more profitable, and advises governments on the economic impact of policies and regulations. Our two main services – economic and management consulting – are delivered by practice groups that focus on specific areas of expertise or industries.Since 1965, clients have engaged CRA for its combination of industry experience and rigorous, fact-based analysis that provide clients with clear, implementable advice to complex business concerns.

Position Overview

CRA’s Life Sciences practice helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics and medical device companies achieve optimum performance across key aspects of their business, including innovation, commercial success, organization, and reputation, all for the long-term benefit of patients, clinicians, employees, and shareholders. We work with life sciences businesses directly as well as with their legal counsel, industry associations, government organizations, and advocacy groups from the earliest stages of research into new therapy areas, through product development, to the delivery of products that will achieve commercial success and fulfill the expectations of our clients and their key stakeholders.

Position Overview

Principals at CRA work on project teams with senior and junior consultants on a variety of client engagements. Successful candidates are experienced project managers with knowledge of the Life Sciences market. Associate Principal responsibilities may include:

• Manage large projects profitable and to the client’s highest satisfaction, including effective project planning, execution, and budget management;
• Independently develop a conceptual framework for consulting projects and identify/design analytic tasks;
• Manage multiple client relationships to maximize long-term business potential;
• Assure a high level of demand for personal professional services over an extended period of time;
• Supervise and direct the work of team members: oversee analyses, provide coaching/direction, and ensure integrity of results;
• Maintain state-of-the-art knowledge base in selected areas to keep practice at leading edge;
• Undertake major business development efforts successfully with little or no assistance;
• Manage and contribute to the development of professional staff (training, recruiting, knowledge management).

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in life sciences (e.g., biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, pharmacology etc.) or MBA
• 7+ years relevant post‑degree professional experience (consulting experience preferred);
• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis methods and techniques;
• Proven team and project management skills, including project planning, prioritization, and budgeting;
• Curious and analytic thinkers who bring creative approaches to non‑standard problems;
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills for client interactions, meeting facilitation, and presentations;
• Demonstrated high level of initiative and leadership;
• Strong teamwork and collaboration capabilities;
• Business development experience;
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision;
• Occasional travel required.

Career Growth and Benefits

• CRA’s robust skills development programs, including a commitment to offering 100 hours of training annually through formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with research and analysis skill building, training continues with technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities.
• We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, wellness programming to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well‑being, and in‑house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers.

Work Location Flexibility

CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognize that individuals realize a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently expect that individuals spend at least 3 to 4 days a week working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office or to client meetings), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team.

Our Commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Salary and other compensation

A good‑faith estimate of the annual base salary range for this position is $175,000 - $225,000. Stating pay within this range may vary based on factors such as education level, experience, skills, geographic location, market conditions, and other qualifications of the successful candidate. This position may be eligible for additional bonus incentive compensation. CRA offers a comprehensive benefits package, subject to eligibility requirements, which may include: medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k) retirement plan with employer match; life and disability insurance; paid time off (vacation, sick leave, holidays); paid parental leave; wellness programs and employee assistance resources; and commuter benefits.