Strategy Insights & Planning Associate - Intern (North America - University Students)

ZS; Evanston (IL); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

ZS seeks a Strategy Insights and Planning Associate - Intern to work on client projects and project teams, applying problem-solving frameworks and conducting market research to derive insights that guide decisions.

You'll collaborate with clients and ZS teams, design analyses, and own project deliverables. This internship offers growth through cross-functional training and potential full-time opportunities, with a hybrid work model and travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree candidate with GPA 3.4+.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong analytic and quantitative coursework.

Responsibilities

• Leverage problem solving skills and frameworks to develop solutions to client business problems.
• Conduct market research and/or desk research to derive insights and inform client decision making.
• Design analyses using Excel, Access, Confirmit and ZS's proprietary software.
• Synthesize and communicate results to clients and ZS teams.
• Collaborate with client and ZS teams to implement solutions.
• Take responsibility and ownership for assigned project deliverables.

Skills

Analytic thinking

Quantitative skills

Team collaboration

English fluent

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree candidate

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Access

Confirmit

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 - Intern

ZS's Strategy Insights and Planning Associate - Interns create and deliver solutions for our clients and project teams. Interns leverage their analytic, synthesis and communication skills to derive insights and solve business problems. In particular, Interns work on one or more project teams and may apply problem‑solving frameworks to client issues, support clients in change initiatives and employ standard analytic techniques to help guide client decisions. At the end of the internship, interns are evaluated and considered for a full‑time employment offer.

What You’ll Do

• Leverage problem solving skills and frameworks to develop solutions to client business problems
• Conduct market research and/or desk research to derive insights and inform client decision making
• Design custom analyses using tools like Excel, Access, Confirmit and ZS's proprietary software
• Synthesize and communicate results to clients and ZS teams
• Collaborate with client and ZS teams to implement solutions
• Take responsibility and ownership for assigned project deliverables

What You’ll Bring

• Candidates should be about to enter the second to last year of a bachelor's or master's degree in any discipline and have an overall academic GPA of 3.4 or higher, along with a strong academic track record in analytic and quantitative coursework (business, economics, marketing, psychology, physical or life sciences, engineering, applied mathematics, statistics or relevant fields)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
• High motivation, good work ethic, maturity and personal initiative
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Empathy, adaptability and emotional intelligence
• Strong attention to detail, with a quality-focused mindset
• Self-discipline for planning and organizing tasks
• Aptitude for, and enjoyment of, working in teams
• 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.

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.

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.

NO AGENCY CALLS, PLEASE.

Find Out More At:

www.zs.com