Consulting Principal - Life Sciences, Clinical Trials

Consulting Principal - Life Sciences Clinical Trials

Cognizant Consulting is more than Cognizant's consulting practicewe're a global community of 6,000+ 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 - Life Sciences Clinical Trials, you will make an impact by leading strategic and operational transformation initiatives for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and CRO clients across the clinical development lifecycle. You will be a valued member of the Life Sciences team and work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, executive stakeholders, and clients.

In this role, you will:

• Lead consulting engagements focused on clinical trial strategy, operational excellence, and digital enablement across Phase IIV 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 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, program management, and risk mitigation.
• Present insights and recommendations to senior client stakeholders and executive leadership.
• Identify and develop consulting opportunities across pharmaceutical sponsors, biotech companies, and CROs.
• Lead proposal development, solution articulation, and client presentations for strategic consulting pursuits.
• Partner with account teams to expand consulting footprint in clinical operations, data strategy, and digital clinical platforms.
• Contribute to achieving practice revenue growth and consulting pipeline targets.
• Develop consulting frameworks and reusable assets related to clinical trial transformation and digital innovation.
• Produce thought leadership on emerging industry topics.
• Represent the firm in industry forums, client roundtables, 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 recruitment, onboarding, and development of Life Sciences consulting talent.

Work model: We strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role's business requirements, this is a hybrid position requiring a combination of remote and onsite work at client or Cognizant offices in the United States. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance through our various wellbeing programs. The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you're engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What you must have to be considered:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, Biotechnology, or related discipline.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 14-18 years of experience in Life Sciences consulting, pharmaceutical R&D, or CRO clinical operations.
• Demonstrated expertise in clinical trial operations, clinical development strategy, or digital clinical transformation.
• Proven experience leading complex consulting engagements and client relationships.

These will help you succeed:

• Clinical operations and site management
• Risk-based monitoring and centralized monitoring
• Decentralized clinical trials (DCT)
• Clinical data platforms and analytics
• AI and automation in clinical development
• Regulatory compliance and GxP environments

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Compensation: $165,000-$194,000. This position is eligible for Cognizant's discretionary annual incentive program, based on performance and subject to the terms of Cognizant's applicable plans.

Benefits: Medical, dental, vision and life insurance; 401(k) plan and contributions; employee stock purchase plan; employee assistance program; 10 paid holidays plus PTO; paid parental leave and fertility assistance; learning and development certifications and programs.

Post closing date: Applications will be accepted until 6/30/2026.

Cognizant (Nasdaq: CTSH) is an AI Builder and technology services provider, building the bridge between AI investment and enterprise value by building full-stack AI solutions for our clients. Our deep industry, process and engineering expertise enables us to build an organization's unique context into technology systems that amplify human potential, realize tangible returns and keep global enterprises ahead in a fast-changing world. See how at

Compensation information is accurate as of the date of this posting. Cognizant reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

Language requirements vary depending on roles, but we ask that all candidates have basic English proficiency for company-wide communications purposes. For roles based in Quebec, professional English proficiency is required, as you'll deliver services to and collaborate with stakeholders outside the province who may not speak French.

Cognizant is an equal opportunity employer. Your application and candidacy will not be considered based on race, color, sex, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal, provincial or local laws.

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