Associate Vice President - Life Science

Associate Vice President, Life Sciences (Digital Transformation, Pharma Operations)

Location: UK & Ireland. Hybrid: 2 days office, 3 days remote, plus travel to client sites

Salary: £100,000 - £120,000 + bonus

THE OPPORTUNITY

Our client is a global digital transformation and strategic advisory business, backed by one of the world's leading technology companies. With over 11,000 professionals worldwide and a proven track record across industries, they deliver end-to-end solutions from strategic advisory and operational consulting through to architecture and implementation.

They are now looking for an Associate Vice President to join their Life Sciences leadership team across UK & Ireland, growing a consulting practice focused on the digital transformation of pharmaceutical and biotech operations. This is a senior, client-facing and revenue-accountable role.

THE ROLE

You will grow the firm's Life Sciences consulting business in UK & Ireland, focused on the digital transformation of pharmaceutical and biotech operations. You will shape digital strategy with client leadership and lead technology-enabled transformation across manufacturing, supply chain and quality, from IT/OT integration and automation through to data and AI. This is a client-facing, revenue-accountable role in a professional services firm. You will originate, sell and lead digital strategy and transformation engagements with pharma, biotech and CDMO clients, carrying a personal sales target.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Originate and close consulting engagements with pharma and biotech operations leadership (Heads of Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Site Directors, CIO / CDO), against a personal sales target
• Shape and lead proposals for digital strategy and transformation in pharma operations, for example manufacturing digitalisation and smart factory programmes, MES and automation, IT/OT integration, digital quality, data and AI in GxP environments, and connected supply chain
• Lead multiple consulting engagements, delivering digital strategies and capabilities in complex, technology-driven programmes in GxP-regulated environments, from roadmap through to implementation, on time and to client expectations
• Build and execute account plans and a qualified pipeline across a defined set of UK & Ireland pharma, biotech and CDMO clients, leveraging a broad technology portfolio to deliver sustainable digital transformation
• Collaborate across a global organisation to maximise client opportunities
• Contribute to thought leadership and marketing activities in pharma operations and manufacturing digitalisation to strengthen market presence
• Own the end-to-end sales process including forecasting, account planning, cost estimation and negotiation, and deliver against an annual sales target

ABOUT YOU

You are results-driven and entrepreneurial, combining value-selling, market insight and analytical problem-solving with a collaborative approach. You have deep knowledge of pharmaceutical and biotech operations, credibility in digital strategy and technology-led transformation, and a track record of selling and delivering professional services. You are comfortable working across international, matrixed teams. You have built your career, or a substantial part of it, in a consulting or professional services firm and understand how such firms win, price and deliver work. You can communicate complex ideas clearly and are confident engaging at C-suite level.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 5 years in a consulting or professional services firm (strategy or management consulting, Big 4, systems integrator, or specialist life sciences consultancy), with a demonstrable personal sales track record. You should be ready to discuss engagements you originated, their value, and your role in winning them
• Significant experience leading digital transformation in pharmaceutical or biotech operations (manufacturing, supply chain, quality, technical operations), either within industry or as a consultant. This should be technology-led transformation, for example MES, automation, IT/OT, data and AI, not solely process or lean improvement
• Proven ability to build and leverage client relationships at senior level with pharma and biotech operations leaders, including an existing network across UK & Ireland pharma, biotech and CDMO clients
• Working knowledge of GxP and regulated manufacturing, and a solid working understanding of integrated technology stacks including MES, automation, IoT, AI, IT/OT and cybersecurity, with the credibility to shape a digital roadmap with a client CIO or CDO
• Experience working across international, matrixed teams

Please note: this role is focused on the pharma and biotech value chain. Experience gained mainly in NHS, provider or payer settings is not a fit for this role, nor is industry experience without a background in selling professional services, nor an operational improvement background without technology-led transformation experience.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Salary: £100,000 - £120,000 plus sales incentive bonus
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Hybrid working: 2 days in office, 3 days remote
• Access to a comprehensive learning and development platform
• Health and wellness benefits
• Inclusive, global working environment

Our client is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds.

To find out more, please apply below or contact us directly.