Consulting Principal - Life Sciences, R&D

About Cognizant Consulting:
Cognizant Consulting is more than Cognizant’s consulting practice—we’re a global community of 5,000+ experts dedicated to helping clients reimagine their business. Blending our deep industry and technology advisory capability, we create innovative business solutions for Fortune 500 clients. And now, we’re looking for our next colleague who’ll join us in shaping the future of business. Could it be you?

As a Consulting Principal in Life Sciences - R&D, you will make an impact by leading strategic transformation engagements across the end‑to‑end research and development value chain for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and CRO clients. You will be a valued member of Cognizant’s Life Sciences Consulting team and will work collaboratively with senior client stakeholders, account leadership, and cross‑functional consulting and technology teams to deliver measurable business outcomes.

• Lead consulting engagements focused on clinical trial strategy, operational excellence, and digital enablement across Phase I–IV development.
• Advise clients on improving clinical trial productivity, patient recruitment, site performance, and monitoring effectiveness.
• Design and implement future-ready operating models incorporating decentralized trials, risk-based monitoring, and intelligent clinical operations.
• Identify and assess opportunities to leverage AI, advanced analytics, and digital platforms to accelerate clinical development.

• Manage end-to-end consulting engagements, including problem structuring, solution design, delivery governance, and value realization.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams of consultants, domain specialists, and technology experts.
• Ensure delivery excellence through structured methodologies, robust program management, and proactive risk mitigation.
• Present insights, analyses, and recommendations to senior client stakeholders and executive leadership.

• Identify and develop consulting opportunities across pharmaceutical sponsors, biotechnology companies, and CROs.
• Lead proposal development, solution positioning, and client presentations for strategic consulting pursuits.
• Partner with account teams to expand the consulting footprint across clinical operations, data strategy, and digital clinical platforms.
• Contribute to practice revenue growth and achievement of consulting pipeline targets.

• Develop consulting frameworks and reusable assets related to clinical trial transformation and digital innovation.
• Produce thought leadership on emerging industry trends and topics.
• Represent the firm at industry forums, client round tables, and innovation workshops.

• Mentor consultants and managers to build clinical trial domain expertise and consulting capabilities.
• Foster a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, accountability, and client impact.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding, and development of Life Sciences consulting talent.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, Biotechnology, or a related discipline
• 14–18 years of professional experience, including consulting or industry experience within pharmaceutical or CRO R&D
• Demonstrated expertise in R&D transformation and associated digital initiatives
• Proven track record leading complex consulting engagements and supporting business development activities
• Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, and problem‑solving skills

• Experience with R&D operational excellence and transformation programs
• Exposure to AI, data, and digital innovation within Life Sciences R&D
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance and GxP environments
• Experience developing consulting assets, methodologies, or thought leadership
• Prior experience leading or mentoring consulting teams

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring 2‑3 days a…