Consulting Manager, Life Sciences Process Consulting &Transformation; Onsite

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Consulting Manager with deep Life Sciences domain expertise to serve as a trusted advisor embedded within a large global Pharma team. This is a senior client-facing role focused on operations transformation across Finance & Accounting, Manufacturing, and Commercial functions — helping business teams modernize processes, adopt AI-enabled ways of working, and drive measurable outcomes. The role is based in Abbott Park, IL with a mandatory on-site commitment of at least 3 days per week.

This is a senior individual contributor position that combines domain advisory, process excellence, and digital transformation delivery.

• Serve as a day-to-day trusted advisor to senior business stakeholders across client functions.
• Build and expand relationships within F&A, Manufacturing, and Commercial teams — identifying and shaping new engagement opportunities over time.
• Represent Cognizant's Life Sciences and IPA capabilities in client conversations and position solutions aligned to client strategic priorities.

• Lead current-state assessments and future-state design across operations areas — identifying inefficiencies, automation opportunities, and transformation levers.
• Apply Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to drive structured, measurable process improvement initiatives.
• Develop business cases, transformation roadmaps, and solution recommendations with a clear ROI narrative for senior client leadership.

• Apply hands‑on experience with AI tools — including Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI/ChatGPT, Claude, and similar platforms — to accelerate analysis, surface insights, and demonstrate tangible productivity gains.
• Guide client teams on practical AI adoption within their operational workflows.
• Collaborate with Cognizant's IPA and technology practices to design AI‑augmented process solutions.

• Bring deep functional knowledge across one or more of:
  Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Pharmacovigilance, Quality/Compliance, Commercial, or Manufacturing.
• Ensure all solutions are designed and delivered in compliance with applicable regulations — GxP, HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, and client‑specific standards.
• Translate complex domain context into actionable requirements and solution designs for delivery teams.

• Lead executive‑level workshops, discovery sessions, and structured problem‑solving engagements.
• Communicate effectively across client business leadership, technical teams, and Cognizant delivery stakeholders.
• Own client‑facing deliverables — presentations, process maps, business cases, and transformation roadmaps.

• Provide subject‑matter oversight across active engagements — ensuring delivery quality, managing scope, and escalating risks proactively.
• Work in Agile/Scrum environments where applicable, contributing to sprint planning and backlog prioritization.
• Support change management, vendor coordination, and UAT where required.

• 10+ years of experience in Life Sciences operations, domain consulting, or client advisory — with demonstrated client‑facing responsibility.
• Strong functional knowledge across one or more of: F&A, Manufacturing Operations, Commercial Life Sciences, Regulatory, or Clinical.
• Demonstrated experience applying Lean and/or Six Sigma methodologies in a Life Sciences or Healthcare environment (Green Belt minimum).
• Hands‑on working experience with AI tools — Microsoft Copilot, OpenAI, Claude, or equivalent — applied in real engagement or operational contexts.
• Proven ability to independently build and manage senior client relationships.
• Strong analytical, communication, and structured problem‑solving skills.
• Familiarity with regulatory frameworks:
  GxP, HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11.
• Must be based in or willing to relocate to the Chicago metro area. Minimum 3 days per week on‑site at client location — mandatory.

• Six Sigma Black Belt certification.
• Exposure to Intelligent Process…