Associate Director – Life Sciences R&D

About The Role

Pharma and biotech R&D is being reinvented. Rising cost and duration of drug development, pressure on R&D productivity, and the rapid rise of AI and generative AI — across discovery, clinical development, and evidence generation — are forcing R&D leaders to rethink their strategy and operating model.

We are looking for a Managing Director to own and grow the R&D domain within our France & BeLux Life Sciences practice. This is a build-and-lead role: you will be the trusted advisor R&D executives turn to for their most consequential transformation decisions, convert that trust into flagship programs, and build the France-based team and capability to deliver them — powered by Accenture's global assets, platforms and network.

You will bring rare, credible depth in clinical development — strategy and operations — combined with the commercial instincts of a consultant and the entrepreneurial energy to shape a domain rather than inherit one.

What You'll Do

Advise at the top table. Build and hold trusted relationships with R&D leadership — Head of R&D, Chief Scientific / Chief Medical Officer, Head of Clinical Development, and R&D digital and data leaders — advising on R&D strategy, operating model, and transformation.

Bring domain expertise. Apply deep knowledge of the drug development lifecycle — clinical development strategy, trial design and operations, regulatory interface, and R&D operating models — to your clients' hardest problems.

Harness new technology. Shape and localise AI- and technology-enabled R&D propositions, helping clients move from pilots to production across the R&D value chain.

Originate and win. Build pipeline, shape opportunities, and win engagements, owning the commercial outcomes for the domain.

Lead delivery. Act as senior sponsor across programs, ensuring quality and measurable impact.

Build the team. Recruit, develop and retain a high-performing France-based team, and build the domain's capability and culture.

Lead thinking. Represent Accenture externally — publishing, speaking, and shaping the R&D transformation agenda across the French and European life sciences ecosystem.

Orchestrate the network. Collaborate across Accenture's global network — industry, technology, data and AI, and delivery centres — to bring the full strength of the firm to your clients.

Essential

What we're looking for

• Deep expertise in clinical development — both strategy and operations — across the drug development lifecycle.
• Meaningful experience in both the life sciences industry (pharma/biotech) and management consulting.
• A proven track record building C-suite relationships, particularly with R&D leadership, and converting them into work.
• Credible fluency in how AI, GenAI, data and digital are reshaping R&D, and the ability to shape and sell technology-enabled R&D transformation.
• A global perspective, with experience operating across markets.
• Experience building and leading teams, with an entrepreneurial, build-oriented mindset.

Preferred

• An established global network in pharma and biotech R&D leadership.
• Depth in one or more of: clinical operations transformation, R&D digital/data platforms, decentralised or digital trials, real-world evidence, regulatory or medical.
• A recognised external profile — publications, speaking, or ecosystem roles.
• An advanced degree in a life sciences discipline (PhD, PharmD, MD) or an MBA.

Typically 15+ years of combined industry and consulting experience at a level consistent with a Managing Director appointment.

Why join

• A build mandate — shape and own a domain, backed by the scale of a global firm.
• Access to Accenture's global R&D assets, AI and data platforms, and network — reach few others can match.
• A front-row seat to the AI-driven reinvention of R&D, with clients who are investing.
• A senior leadership platform spanning origination and delivery, with a clear footprint across France and BeLux.