Principal, Life Sciences - London

Gate One is a business and digital transformation management consultancy business working shoulder-to-shoulder with clients to design and deliver some of the world's largest and most complex transformations that create meaningful change.

We are a premium challenger consultancy - entrepreneurial, creative and values driven - and as part of the Havas network, we bring a unique blend of strategic consulting, transformation expertise and creative capability to solve our clients' toughest commercial challenges.

Within Life Sciences, we partner with leading pharmaceutical and life sciences organisations to solve their most complex strategic and transformation challenges. We help clients shape and deliver the programmes that bring life changing treatments to patients - from commercial and therapy area strategy through to cross functional transformation, operating model redesign and launch execution.

As our Life Sciences team continues to grow, we are looking for an experienced Principal to help shape the direction of the practice, lead our most significant engagements, and further deepen our presence in the sector.

The opportunity

As a Principal at Gate One, you will play a central leadership role - shaping major programmes, building senior client relationships and steering our Life Sciences strategy. You will bring thought leadership, sector credibility and commercial sharpness, acting as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders across pharma and broader life sciences.

You will

• Oversee multiple large, complex life sciences projects, leading blended teams across commercial, medical and cross functional transformation.
• Apply deep sector expertise to shape solutions, anticipate client needs and navigate the realities of global and regional pharma environments.
• Act as a senior advisor to executive level stakeholders, bringing insight, challenge and clarity.
• Ensure high quality, compliant delivery and provide guidance, coaching and quality assurance to project teams.

Drive business development and account growth

• Shape and convert new opportunities, including leading major bids and senior level business development meetings.
• Build relationships across senior client stakeholder groups, expanding Gate One's footprint and influence.
• Lead or co lead account strategies and sector development priorities.

Build and scale the Life Sciences practice

• Shape capability development, propositions, thought leadership and go to market strategies.
• Lead internal initiatives aligned to Gate One's strategic priorities.
• Play a pivotal role in recruitment and in developing the next generation of consultants through people leadership, coaching and performance support.

About You

We are looking for a seasoned consultant who will bring maturity, credibility and a proven ability to advise senior leaders in Life Sciences. Specifically, we are looking for someone with:

• 10+ years of management consulting experience, gained largely in reputable consulting or transformation environments.
• Deep expertise in Life Sciences and Pharma, including commercial, medical or cross functional transformation.
• Experience leading engagements across areas such as:
• Brand and therapy area strategy
• Launch excellence and readiness
• Omnichannel or commercial model transformation
• Portfolio, indication or market expansion strategy
• Strong grounding in pharma fluency - understanding how pharma organisations operate day to day, including:
• How strategy, launch, medical, commercial and market access functions integrate
• Common commercial and medical structures (e.g., global vs. local brand teams, franchise models, cross functional squads)
• Core industry frameworks and acronyms (e.g., LCM, TA/TAE, SMPC, SD/SL, P&MA, GxP understanding where relevant)
• Strong strategic and critical thinking skills, with the ability to simplify complexity and drive clarity.
• A proven track record of generating and converting business development opportunities.
• Experience leading, coaching and inspiring consultants, modelling inclusive and empowering leadership.
• A values led approach aligned to Gate One's culture of empathy, grit, candour, humility, entrepreneurship and aspiration.

Gate One is committed to an inclusive hiring process. All applications will be given fair consideration regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, age, faith, or social background. We welcome individuals from all educational backgrounds to apply. We encourage applications from underrepresented and minority groups and can provide reasonable adjustments where needed to ensure a fair and accessible process.

Our goal is to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace that values the unique perspectives and contributions of each team member. If you require any support or have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to one of our Talent team.

Candidates must hold the legal Right to Work in the UK and meet the level of experience outlined above to be considered for this role.