Associate Director – Life Sciences Consulting

Associate Director – Medical & Scientific | Life Sciences Strategy Consulting

Are you looking to step into an Associate Director role where you can influence development strategies and support the expansion of a fast‑growing practice?

R&D Partners is seeking an Associate Director to lead impactful projects. This role focuses on shaping strategies for drug development and commercialization while supporting the growth of the Medical & Scientific Strategy practice. You will work closely with clients to address unmet needs, analyze scientific data, and develop actionable recommendations that improve patient outcomes.

Our client’s practice is built around a science-first consulting model grounded in medical and scientific rigor. Teams work closely with medical communities and internal client stakeholders to understand unmet needs, decision drivers, and evidence requirements. Outputs combine rigorous scientific analysis with market understanding and facilitated alignment to shape asset strategy, medical affairs direction, and lifecycle planning. The culture emphasizes challenging assumptions, uncovering new opportunities, and building practical strategies that can be operationalized.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Delivery

• Lead consulting teams to deliver actionable insights and recommendations.
• Partner with senior internal leadership to manage executive-level client relationships and ensure alignment throughout delivery.
• Ensure medical and scientific perspectives are integrated into broader asset strategies and lifecycle decisions.
• Own end-to-end delivery for complex engagements (e.g., clinical strategy, medical affairs planning, early asset strategy), from scoping through execution.
• Oversee multiple concurrent workstreams, maintaining quality, timelines, and stakeholder alignment.
• Direct primary research with clinical experts and other stakeholders, alongside secondary scientific analysis (e.g., clinical trial landscapes, treatment algorithms, regulatory pathways, competitive dynamics).
• Synthesize findings to test hypotheses, refine strategic options, and translate results into clear, decision-ready recommendations.

Business Development and External Profile

• Identify opportunities to expand work within existing accounts and develop new client relationships.
• Lead development of proposals and pitch materials; contribute to winning new engagements
• Build external visibility through thought leadership (white papers, conference contributions, industry publications).
• Track emerging scientific and industry trends, advising clients on risks, opportunities, and strategic implications.

Team Development and Mentorship

• Lead and mentor consultants and engagement leads through line management and on-project coaching.
• Build development plans, provide structured feedback, and support progression across levels.
• Manage team dynamics and resolve conflicts as needed.
• Contribute to internal training and capability building across the practice.
• Sponsor an internal initiative that strengthens the team (e.g., recruiting, knowledge management, culture, process improvement).

Skills and Experience:

• Strong understanding of the biopharma industry and its scientific and business trends.
• Experience leading strategy projects in areas like asset strategy, medical affairs, or clinical development.
• Ability to manage teams and mentor colleagues in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication skills, including presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or equivalent experience; advanced degrees (PhD, MD, PharmD) are a plus.
• Expertise in specialty areas like oncology, rare diseases, or hematology is preferred.
• Familiarity with real-world evidence (RWE) and its application in strategy is a bonus.

Compensation:

• $200,000 to $230,000 per annum.

For more information, please contact Jakub Hanas.

If you are interested in applying to this exciting opportunity, then please click ‘Apply’ or to speak to one of our specialists visit the ‘Contact Us’ page.

R&D Partners is a leading life sciences recruiter focused on finding exceptional people and matching them with the finest positions across the globe. R&D Partners is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

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