Strategy Insights & Planning Consultant- Emerging Pharma

ZS; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total rewards package

Hybrid work environment

Job summary

ZS, a leading management consulting and technology firm, is hiring for Strategy Insights & Planning Consultants who design data-driven solutions for clients. The role emphasizes unstructured problem solving, analytics, and strong communication with senior decision makers.

Successful candidates will possess MBA or PhD credentials (or 5–8 years substitute experience), English fluency, and a client-first mindset. The position offers hybrid work and travel opportunities to deliver impact globally.

Qualifications

• MBA with bachelor's (and often graduate) degrees with strong academic record in business, economics, marketing, psychology, physical or life sciences, engineering, applied math, statistics, or related fields.
• Up to 3 years of post-MBA relevant work experience, and 3–5 years of pre-MBA work experience.
• High motivation, good work ethic, maturity and personal initiative.
• Aptitude for, and enjoyment of, leading and managing teams.
• Effective oral and written communication skills that enable personal impact with senior-level decision makers.
• Strong attention to detail, with a quality-focused mindset.
• Analytic problem-solving skills, with a creative and innovative outlook;
• Client service orientation.
• Fluency in English.
• Client-first mentality.
• Intense work ethic.
• Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach.

Responsibilities

• Define project scope with project leadership and develop approach.
• Lead project task execution by ensuring progress, organizing project data and coordinating team meetings.
• Conduct issue analysis and develop hypotheses on client issues.
• Design and execute qualitative and/or quantitative analyses to test and analyze hypotheses.
• Synthesize findings, develop recommendations, and communicate results to clients and internal teams.
• Provide thought leadership and innovation within projects and practice areas.
• Participate in business development.
• Contribute to internal firm activities.
• Coach and mentor junior team members.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Client service orientation

Analytical problem solving

Attention to detail

Team leadership

English fluency

Collaboration

Work ethic

Initiative

Education

MBA with bachelor's degree in business/related fields

PhD in marketing/economics/decision sciences (business application)

5–8 years of relevant work experience in lieu of MBA/PhD

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 & Planning Consultant

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.

Strategy Insights & Planning Consultant

Strategy Insights & Planning Consultants deliver high-quality solutions for our clients. Consultants possess unstructured problem-solving skills as well as strong analytic, synthesis and communication skills. Consultants may work on multiple projects simultaneously. As Consultants advance in their career, they specialize in a particular industry, practice area and/or client relationship.

What You’ll Do

• Work with project leadership to define project scope and develop approach.
• Lead project task execution by ensuring progress, organizing project data and coordinating team meetings.
• Conduct issue analysis and develop hypotheses on the key client issues.
• Design and execute qualitative and/or quantitative analyses to test and analyze hypotheses.
• Synthesize findings, develop recommendations, and communicate results to clients and internal teams.
• Provide thought leadership and innovation within projects and practice areas.
• Participate in business development.
• Contribute to internal firm activities.
• Coach and mentor junior team members.

What You’ll Bring

• MBA with bachelor's (and often graduate) degrees with a strong academic record in business, economics, marketing, psychology, physical or life sciences, engineering, applied math, statistics, or related fields. Alternately, candidates may possess a PhD in marketing, economics, decision sciences or related field with a business application. In lieu of an MBA or PhD, 5-8 years of relevant work experience may substitute.
• Up to 3 years of post-MBA relevant work experience, and 3-5 years of pre-MBA work experience.
• High motivation, good work ethic, maturity and personal initiative.
• Aptitude for, and enjoyment of, leading and managing teams.
• Effective oral and written communication skills that enable personal impact with senior‑level decision makers.
• Strong attention to detail, with a quality‑focused mindset.
• Analytic problem‑solving skills, with a creative and innovative outlook;
• Client service orientation.
• 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 moreabout 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.