Consulting Partner in Pharma & Life Science - Strategy & Data/AI Transformation

Who we are

Artefact is a global data and AI consulting firm. We help organisations turn data and AI into measurable business impact across the value chain, from strategy and operating model to data platforms, AI products and marketing. More than 2,500 consultants, data scientists and engineers work for over 1,000 clients worldwide, including Samsung, L’Oréal, Orange and Sanofi.

In Switzerland, our team of around 50 people works from Zurich and Lausanne with Swiss and international companies. Our work covers AI strategy and governance, data transformation and AI use cases that run in production.

What you will be doing: Key responsibilities

We are looking for a Partner to scale Artefact’s Pharma & Life Sciences practice in Switzerland. Many global pharma, biotech and medtech companies run their headquarters, R&D, manufacturing or commercial functions from Switzerland. We already work with life sciences clients here and now want to make this practice one of the pillars of our Swiss business. This is an origination role: most of your time goes into winning new clients and expanding existing relationships. You will be based in Zurich and work with clients across Basel, Zurich and Romandie.

Your role will encompass:

• Scaling the Swiss Life Sciences practice: its offer, its client base and its team, in coordination with Artefact’s global healthcare and life sciences teams.
• Growing existing client relationships and winning new clients, so that the practice moves from first references to a broad portfolio.
• Leading senior client stakeholders (CDO/CDAO, CIO, heads of Commercial Excellence, Medical Affairs, R&D Operations, Manufacturing & Quality) through data and AI transformation.
• Overseeing project delivery and quality assurance on our life sciences engagements, and giving strategic support to ongoing client programmes.
• Sparring with the Swiss Managing Partner on practice strategy and investment.

Among your responsibilities as Partner, you will:

Build the practice and its offer

• Build on our existing life sciences work to define where data and AI create value along the pharma value chain: R&D and clinical development, regulatory and medical affairs, manufacturing and quality, supply chain, and commercial engagement.
• Translate this into a few Swiss offers with clear entry points, scope and pricing.

Develop the client portfolio

• Build a go-to-market plan for Swiss life sciences, own the pipeline and write proposals that address the client’s actual problem.
• Navigate pharma procurement: vendor qualification, framework agreements and preferred-supplier panels.

Deliver to the highest standard

• Sponsor and oversee engagements run day to day by Engagement Managers, with multidisciplinary teams of consultants, data scientists and data/AI engineers, and ensure the quality of what we deliver.
• Make sure delivery meets regulatory requirements: GxP, validation of AI systems, Swiss FADP/GDPR and the EU AI Act.
• Be accountable for client satisfaction, project margin and team experience.

Develop our knowledge base

• Speak and publish on AI in life sciences, for example GenAI in medical and regulatory writing, AI in clinical operations, HCP engagement, and AI governance under GxP.
• Turn our Swiss life sciences work into references and case studies, and bring them into Artefact’s global practice.

Lead and develop the team

• Hire and develop consultants with life sciences experience, train the wider Swiss team on the domain, and own staffing on your engagements.

What we are looking for

• 12–15 years of experience, including 8+ years serving pharma, biotech or medtech clients at a life sciences–focused consultancy or the life sciences practice of a strategy or technology firm. A later move in-house is welcome.
• Currently Director, Principal or Associate Partner with a personal sales target, ready for the step to Partner.
• A track record of origination with life sciences clients: you can name clients you opened yourself and the revenue you sold, beyond extending existing accounts.
• A network among decision-makers in the Swiss life sciences industry, especially in Basel and Zurich, that you are actively growing.
• Working knowledge of GxP and computer system validation, and how they apply to data and AI systems.
• Working fluency in data and AI: you can discuss what an AI use case needs from data, what it costs and when it pays back.
• Fluent English. German is a strong advantage, French a plus.
• Based in or willing to relocate to the Zurich area, with regular travel to Basel.

Why you should join us

• Shape what comes next: the Swiss practice has proven itself and is growing fast. It is still small enough that you shape its clients, its offers and its team.
• Sell with a global platform: you bring the credentials, delivery capacity and AI assets of a 2,500-person firm into every proposal, and you work with industry leads across Europe.
• Strategy to production under one roof: our consultants and engineers work in the same teams, so your clients get from recommendation to working solution without changing firms.
• Culture: innovation, collaboration and action shape how we work. Artefact Switzerland is Great Place to Work certified (2026).
• Entrepreneurship: you are measured on the clients, revenue and team you build.