Principal (Life Sciences practice)

About Charles River Associates:

Charles River Associates is a leading global consulting firm that provides independent economic and financial analysis behind litigation matters, guides businesses through critical strategy and operational issues to become more profitable, and advises governments on the economic impact of policies and regulations. Our two main services – consulting and litigation – are delivered by practice groups that focus on specific areas of expertise and industries. Learn more about how CRA can help you Accelerate your career.

Our Life Sciences Practice:

CRA’s Life Sciences practice helps pharmaceutical, biotechnology, diagnostics and medical device companies achieve optimum performance across key aspects of their business, including innovation, commercial success, organization, and reputation, all for the long‑term benefit of patients, clinicians, employees, and shareholders. We work with all life sciences businesses and functions directly as well as with their legal counsel, industry associations, government organizations, and advocacy groups from the earliest stages of research into new therapy areas, through product development, to the delivery of products that will achieve commercial success and fulfill the expectations of our clients and their key stakeholders.

Position Overview – Munich Office:

We are seeking a strategic and commercially minded Principal who will focus on Brand and Commercial Strategy or Price and Market Access (PMA) Strategy within our Life Sciences practice. This high‑impact leadership role involves shaping market access, pricing, reimbursement, or commercial development and launch strategies for our life sciences clients. As Principal, you will serve as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, helping clients navigate complex policy, PMA, and/or commercialization challenges across the product lifecycle, and contribute to the growth of our practice by growing your own book of business.

Responsibilities:

• Lead large, complex projects, ensuring high quality, profitability, and client satisfaction.
• Provide intellectual leadership and high‑level input to clients and delivery teams, advising on optimal commercial, price and/or access strategies, by understanding payer, HCP and/or patient needs globally.
• Oversee primary (patients/HCPs/payers) and secondary research efforts, to develop robust conclusions, implications and actionable recommendations.
• Manage multiple client relationships to maximize long‑term business potential.
• Develop into a thought partner for clients and, with it, build your own book of business.
• Undertake major business development efforts successfully with little or no assistance.
• Identify and pursue new business opportunities, develop and convert proposals, and lead thought leadership activities as subject matter expert to enhance the firm's market presence.
• Help recruit, develop, and mentor team members, fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture and ensuring knowledge transfer across the practice.
• Provide hands‑on development experience for team members as their supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in life sciences (e.g., biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, pharmacology etc.) or MBA, with 7+ years relevant post‑degree professional experience (consulting experience preferred).
• Alternately, a Bachelor's or Master’s degree in a life sciences, business, economics or related discipline, with 9+ years relevant post‑degree professional experience (consulting experience preferred).
• Proven team and project leadership skills, including project planning and budgeting.
• Strong skills in quantitative and qualitative analysis methods and techniques.
• Curious and analytic thinker who brings creative approaches to non‑standard problems.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills for client interactions, meeting facilitation, and presentations in English and, preferably, also in German.
• Demonstrated high level of initiative and leadership, including thought leadership in a distinct area relevant for life science clients as subject matter expert.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision by a Vice President (VP).
• Strong teamwork and collaboration capabilities with peers, VPs, and junior teams.
• Proven ability to develop strategy consultants in their career as a trusted supervisor.
• Business development experience with a proven record of proposal conversion.
• Embracing a 3‑day in office model in our Munich office, to engage hands‑on with the local team, combined with necessary travel for client engagements.

To Apply:

• Resume – please include current address, personal email and telephone number.

Career Growth and Benefits:

• CRA’s robust skills development programs, including a commitment to offering 100 hours of training annually through formal and informal programs, encourage you to thrive as an individual and team member. Beginning with research and analysis skill building, training continues with technical training, presentation skills, internal seminars, and career mentoring and performance coaching from an assigned senior colleague. Additional leadership and collaboration opportunities exist through internal firm development activities.
• We offer a comprehensive total rewards program including a superior benefits package, wellness programming to support physical, mental, emotional and financial well‑being, and in‑house immigration support for foreign nationals and international business travelers.

Work Location Flexibility:

CRA creates a work environment that enables our colleagues to benefit from being together in the office to best deliver on our promise of career growth, mentorship and inclusivity. At the same time, we recognize that individuals realise a range of benefits when working from home periodically. We currently expect that individuals spend at least 3 to 4 days a week working in the office (which may include traveling to another CRA office or to client meetings), with specific days determined in coordination with your practice or team.

Our Commitment to Diversity:

Charles River Associates is an equal opportunity employer. As part of our focus on equity and inclusion, we work to ensure a fair and consistent hiring process. We celebrate diversity and we are committed to an inclusive work environment.