Principal (Partner 1) – Strategy & Consulting (London)

About the Organisation

A global leader in healthcare and life‑sciences consulting, combining advanced analytics, technology‑enabled insights, and deep therapeutic expertise. Operating at the intersection of data, science, and commercial strategy, the organisation partners with leading pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare companies to unlock growth, drive innovation, and accelerate commercial and patient‑centric performance.

As part of continued expansion, the business is hiring a Principal (Partner 1) to join its high-impact Strategy & Consulting leadership group. This role is positioned for a senior commercial strategist with strong Life Sciences experience and a track record of leading complex, data-driven transformation and growth programs.

Role Overview

The Principal will play a key leadership role in shaping and delivering strategic advisory engagements across pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare technology clients. This position combines end-to-end ownership of client relationships, commercial leadership, practice development, and delivery oversight.

You will be reporting into the Global Head of ME and M&A to scale strategic offerings across Europe, with the expectation of future progression into full Partner.

Key Responsibilities

1. Client Leadership & Business Development

• Act as a senior point of contact for C-suite and VP-level stakeholders across global Life Sciences clients.
• Originate, shape, and convert new consulting engagements, leveraging the organisation’s data, technology, and analytics assets.
• Lead growth across key therapeutic/market verticals, driving account expansion and new market penetration.
• Develop compelling proposals and integrated solutions across analytics, technology, and strategy.

2. Strategy & Advisory Delivery

• Oversee delivery of high-value strategic projects, including:
• Commercial strategy, launch readiness, portfolio optimisation
• Digital health strategy and data-driven transformation
• Operating model design and performance improvement
• Market access and real-world evidence-led decision support
• Ensure client outcomes are actionable, evidence-based, and delivered to Partner-level quality.
• Guide multidisciplinary teams across analytics, medical, technology, and consulting.

3. Practice & Offering Development

• Shape new go-to-market propositions across strategy, data, and technology.
• Build internal capabilities (methodologies, frameworks, IP, tools) to strengthen consulting offerings.
• Mentor Directors and Managers; play a key role in developing future leaders.
• Contribute to the long-term strategic vision of the European strategy practice.

4. Leadership & Team Building

• Champion a culture of excellence, innovation, and client impact.
• Support firmwide initiatives including DE&I, recruitment, and capability building.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams across Europe and global markets.

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 10–15+ years within Life Sciences strategy consulting, corporate strategy, or commercial excellence.
• Proven track record of leading multi-workstream engagements and delivering transformational change.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience owning a personal revenue target and driving practice growth.
• Experience working directly with senior pharma/biotech stakeholders.

Skills & Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to simplify complexity for senior stakeholders.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort operating in a high-growth, high-expectation environment.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and navigate global stakeholder networks.

Desirable

• Sector expertise in one or more of: Oncology, Rare Disease, Immunology, CNS, MedTech, Digital Health.
• Existing market network across UK/EU pharma.
• Additional languages (especially Italian, French, German) beneficial.