Kearney Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice Principal (Pharma R&D Strategy)
Kearney · $245,000–$270,000 (stated in the posting)
- Kearney Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice Principal (Pharma R&D Strategy)
- Full-time
- Americas
- Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York, San Francisco, Washington DC
- APPLY
- Job Description
As a Principal within Kearney’s Healthcare & Life Sciences Practice, you will play a key role in driving the growth and development of our Pharma R&D Strategy offering. You will work closely with senior clients and internal teams to develop strategic insights and deliver high-impact outcomes across complex pharmaceutical R&D and clinical development challenges.
We are seeking experienced strategy consultants with deep expertise across Pharma R&D, particularly those with a traditional consulting background advising biopharma clients on clinical development, drug development strategy, operating models, and R&D transformation initiatives.
This role is focused on strategic advisory work rather than operational program execution. Ideal candidates will bring strong hypothesis-driven problem solving, executive communication skills, and experience leading enterprise-level strategy engagements within pharmaceutical R&D organizations.
Key responsibilities:
Client Leadership & Delivery
Lead large, complex strategy engagements for pharmaceutical and biopharma clients across R&D and clinical development functions
Advise senior executives on strategic topics including:
Clinical development strategy
Drug development strategy
Clinical trial strategy and operating models
Clinical operations transformation
Regulatory affairs strategy
Pharmacovigilance and drug safety strategy
Clinical trial feasibility and development planning
Digital strategy and transformation across R&D organizations
Support clients in designing and optimizing R&D operating models and organizational effectiveness
Drive strategic problem solving from issue identification through analysis, synthesis, and executive recommendation development
Translate complex analyses into clear, actionable insights for C-suite stakeholders
Lead cross-functional teams and independently manage high-impact engagement workstreams
Serve as a trusted advisor to senior client leadership across pharmaceutical and biopharma organizations
Provide thought leadership on evolving trends across Pharma R&D, clinical development, and digital transformation
Business Development & Practice Growth
Originate and expand client relationships across Pharma and Life Sciences accounts
Support growth of Kearney’s Pharma R&D Strategy capabilities within the practice
Lead proposal development and contribute to senior-level client pitches
Identify opportunities to expand strategic advisory relationships within existing and new clients
Contribute to the development of intellectual capital and differentiated market offerings across Pharma R&D and clinical development
Program Leadership & Team Development
Mentor and develop junior consultants and engagement teams
Foster a collaborative, high-performing team environment
Provide coaching and oversight across multiple engagements to ensure quality and impact
Help build and strengthen Kearney’s Pharma R&D Strategy presence within Life Sciences
Who You Are
After nearly 100 years, we know this business is fundamentally about making connections—between facts, figures, insights, strategies, technologies, and above all, people. That’s why we look for collaborative, insightful, and inquisitive problem-solvers who don’t accept the first thing in front of them and who are always unapologetically themselves.
We want to hear from you if you have:
MBA preferred and 10+ years of professional experience
Significant management consulting experience at the Principal level or equivalent
A strong traditional consulting background with experience leading strategy engagements within Pharma R&D and clinical development
Experience advising pharmaceutical and biopharma clients across one or more of the following areas:
Clinical development
Drug development
Clinical operations
Regulatory affairs
Pharmacovigilance / drug safety
Clinical trial feasibility
Clinical development program strategy
R&D operating models
Digital strategy and transformation within R&D organizations
Deep pharmaceutical industry expertise; candidates focused primarily on medtech or consumer health are less aligned for this role
Demonstrated ability to lead strategic advisory engagements versus operational execution-focused delivery work
Strong executive presence and ability to influence senior stakeholders
Experience managing proposal development, client pitches, and business development efforts
Proven ability to independently lead multiple complex workstreams and client relationships
Exceptional communication, analytical, and leadership skills
Willingness to travel as required
What we can offer you:
Every day, our people work to be the difference for our clients, our communities, and our colleagues. Helping them make an impact, they are sustained by a competitive remuneration package plus comprehensive benefits and perks, including but not limited to:
Generous retirement/pension savings contributions
Comprehensive medical insurance for employees and immediate family
Gym membership discounts
Non-partner equity-based awards (for consulting managers and above)
Structured and on-the-job learning and development opportunities
Personalized opportunities including talent mobility, flexible work programs, and externships to help you chart a unique career journey to pursue your own personal and professional goals
Principal base salary – $245,000-$270,000. It is important to note that at Kearney, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range for their role. Individual salaries within each range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge