The life sciences industry is undergoing massive change. Generative AI is moving from buzzword to business-critical, reshaping how companies discover drugs, optimize clinical trials, and personalize patient engagement. 

According to McKinsey, pilots are widespread, but only 32% of life sciences organizations have taken steps to scale GenAI beyond experimentation, and just 5% say it's become a consistent competitive differentiator.

Consultancies are being asked to lead AI and data transformation agendas for clients across pharma, biotech, and medtech. Yet many are quietly facing a growing internal challenge: they don’t have the right talent in place to deliver on those strategies with confidence.

The Strategy Execution Gap

McKinsey reports that while life sciences organizations are experimenting with GenAI, only about a third have moved toward scaling it, and just 5% have realized sustained business value.

Consultancies are often hired to bridge this gap, but increasingly, they’re facing it themselves. Firms are hiring for roles that didn’t exist a few years ago: AI transformation leads with scientific backgrounds, data strategists who understand regulatory nuance, and commercial consultants who can model ROI on digital health solutions.

Finding these people isn’t easy. 

Many are being snapped up by tech-first biotechs or drawn into in house roles with big pharma. As a result, consultancies are left competing for a narrow slice of highly specialized, hybrid talent.

Three Emerging Hiring Challenges

1. Deep Tech Fluency, Applied Commercially 
   • Firms need talent who can navigate technical AI and data science topics, and translate them into value for pharma clients. That blend is rare.
2. Cross Functional Collaboration
   • AI-led projects touch clinical, regulatory, commercial, and digital teams. Consultants who can “speak multiple languages” across domains are in high demand.
3. Speed and Scalability
   • Clients expect speed. But consultancies are struggling to scale teams fast enough, especially for short-term or project-based engagements.

Why Talent Strategy Is Now a Business Strategy

Today, transformation is moving fast, and so are expectations. According to Randstad Enterprise, 83% of life sciences leaders say they struggle to find the right skills, and 75% expect that shortage to grow. Meanwhile, 88% believe AI will enable their teams to focus on higher-value work.

That makes talent not just an HR issue, but a client delivery risk.

Whether it’s a need for:

• Contract data science talent,
• A Principal with R&D AI experience, or
• A Partner-track hire who’s led digital transformation in biotech

Having the right people on board is what enables firms to win, and retain, key accounts.

How We Help

At SEC Life Sciences, we support U.S.-based consultancies navigating this shift. Our team understands the niche roles at the intersection of science, AI, and commercial strategy, and we know where to find the talent that can deliver.

In a market where time-to-hire and credibility with clients matter more than ever, firms that rethink how they access talent will be the ones that stay ahead.

Let’s Talk

If your firm is under pressure to deliver on AI-led transformation, but struggling to find the right people to make it happen, Jacob, our Head of US, is here to help.

He specializes in supporting life sciences consultancies across the U.S. with tailored talent solutions that scale with your business.

Contact Jacob directly to discuss your hiring challenges or upcoming project needs. 

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