Associate Consultant

As an Associate Consultant, you will gain insight into the strategic issues facing today’s life sciences companies, as well as the specific challenges impacting the healthcare industry.

The complexities of the industry provide an opportunity to gain comprehensive knowledge of both the science and business sides of healthcare. Associates work in case teams of 4-7 professionals led by a Manager or Partner. While responsibilities vary greatly from case to case, Associates are instrumental in developing the building blocks to identify critical issues, develop key analytical components, and ultimately, drive conclusions and recommendations. Through this process, Associates develop sound business and strategy fundamentals and a thorough understanding of solving complex business issues.

At Putnam, we pride ourselves on a team-based approach that is client focused and impact oriented. We serve many of the industry leaders, including all of the top 10 global biopharmaceutical companies. Almost all of our studies combine sophisticated quantitative analytics with significant qualitative fact-finding and synthesis to inform strategic decision-making. Our diverse casework spans portfolio prioritization, development pathway and resource optimization, market assessment, product pricing and launch strategies, market segment growth strategies, sales and marketing strategies, franchise development and patent expiration strategies. While the client-service core of our work can be demanding, we pride ourselves on the collegial, friendly and balanced environment at Putnam where consulting can be a long-term career option.

Our offices are located in the vibrant cities of Boston, San Francisco, New York, and London.

Associates have minimal travel requirements and work an average of 55-60 hours per week.

Desired Skills & Experience

We are seeking highly intelligent and self-motivated candidates who have demonstrated excellence and leadership both as undergraduates and during previous internships and/or employment opportunities. Proven analytic abilities, a rigorous quantitative background, and strong problem-solving skills are essential. A cumulative GPA of 3.3 is required with 3.5 or better preferred. Economics, finance or science majors are especially well suited for this position.

Please note: this is not an entry-level MBA position.

All Current Openings

Life as an Associate Consultant

Explore stories of Putnamites to get a sense of what it is really like to work here.

Putnam fosters a collaborative atmosphere where I am able to work closely with team members at all levels in order to deliver strategic insights to our clients. They provide unparalleled opportunities for professional growth and encourage building connections both within and across case teams. Having the opportunity to work with such smart, driven individuals with a passion for healthcare makes each day an exciting new challenge.

Alexa Buckley

Associate Consultant II - Boston

Putnam has allowed me to gain exposure to a range of projects with a global focus. It fosters a collaborative environment where everyone on the team has the opportunity to actively contribute to solutions within life science industry.

Abigail Reed

Associate Consultant II - Boston

Richard Wang, Consultant - London

Putnam is a unique place where I have the opportunity to collaborate with wonderful colleagues and friends to help clients develop targeted and strategic insights. The company has a vibrant, supportive culture that has made coming to work every single day enjoyable and thought-provoking.

Richard Wang

Consultant - London
Former Associate Consultant - Cornell University, Biology and Society

Working at Putnam

22 languages

collectively spoken by putnamites

56% of Putnamites

volunteer at charitable organizations

Half of our Partners and Principals

joined Putnam as Associates

Putnam is a fantastic place where everyone cares deeply about each other and the success of the team. As a Life Sciences Consultant, I’m often the scientific expert on my case team. I’ve leveraged my background experience and contributed from day one while learning new consulting and business skills.

Mariah Hanley

Consultant - Boston
Harvard University PhD, Chemistry & Chemical Biology

Professional Development and Employee Investment

See some of our highlights to learn more about what it's like to be a part of our team

A consulting gig without the endless travel? Indeed

  • Case teams typically consist of 2-6 team members across all levels including Partner
  • Teams can be comprised of staff from any of our offices, with client geography and time zones as a consideration along with experience and skill development for our team members.
  • Most team members are double-staffed on simultaneous projects
  • Typically only senior level case team members travel onsite for client engagements although there are many avenues for all team members to interact directly with the client on an ongoing basis.
  • Teams celebrate the completion of a successful case with End of Case Team Building Events

Continuous and Thoughtful Training Programs

For new hires, the firm provides basic consulting and industry overview training in the first 3 months of employment aimed at providing new Associates a solid foundation to hit the ground running on case work.

For employees with 2-4 years of tenure who are progressing toward the Consultant role, the firm provides Advanced Consulting Skills Training focused on developing the skills and tools to facilitate the transition to managing greater levels of responsibility in problem solving, case management, staff development, and firm development offsite in Portsmouth, NH.

For more experienced employees those promoted to, or hired into, the Consultant role the firm has developed a Case Leadership Training Offsite, held annually at revolving retreat sites. The objective for this training is to provide practical insights and tools for case team leaders in a structured, highly interactive way.

Individual case teams celebrate the completion of a successful case with an End of Case Event. In addition we also have a selection of firm-wide & local office events:

  • Holiday Parties
  • Dinners
  • Sporting Events
  • Team Building Events

We have a robust mentor program to help foster development case to case. From day 1 you are paired with an experienced Putnamite to help guide you and welcome you to the firm.

We are actively involved in our community as a collective firm through engagements like Summer Days of Service and our Holiday Gift Drive. We actively encourage our employees to take on their own initiatives and promote within the firm as well. We are proud to support a small Putnam team who has been leading efforts to help build a primary school in Malawi in partnership with BuildOn. We are also proud to stand in support of amazing local and national charities such as:

  • Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, MA
  • Dana Farber Cancer Institute
  • Greater Boston Food Bank
  • Minds Matter Boston
  • National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association

We also actively support the MIT SOLVE Network which aims to solve world challenges through social impact innovation, and Out 4 Undergrad (O4U) conference which aims to showcase career opportunities in business for ambitious LGBTQ+ students.

Home Staffing Model

A consulting gig without the endless travel? Indeed

  • Case teams typically consist of 2-6 team members across all levels including Partner
  • Teams can be comprised of staff from any of our offices, with client geography and time zones as a consideration along with experience and skill development for our team members.
  • Most team members are double-staffed on simultaneous projects
  • Typically only senior level case team members travel onsite for client engagements although there are many avenues for all team members to interact directly with the client on an ongoing basis.
  • Teams celebrate the completion of a successful case with End of Case Team Building Events
Professional Development

Continuous and Thoughtful Training Programs

For new hires, the firm provides basic consulting and industry overview training in the first 3 months of employment aimed at providing new Associates a solid foundation to hit the ground running on case work.

For employees with 2-4 years of tenure who are progressing toward the Consultant role, the firm provides Advanced Consulting Skills Training focused on developing the skills and tools to facilitate the transition to managing greater levels of responsibility in problem solving, case management, staff development, and firm development offsite in Portsmouth, NH.

For more experienced employees those promoted to, or hired into, the Consultant role the firm has developed a Case Leadership Training Offsite, held annually at revolving retreat sites. The objective for this training is to provide practical insights and tools for case team leaders in a structured, highly interactive way.

Company Outings

Individual case teams celebrate the completion of a successful case with an End of Case Event. In addition we also have a selection of firm-wide & local office events:

  • Holiday Parties
  • Dinners
  • Sporting Events
  • Team Building Events
Mentorship Program

We have a robust mentor program to help foster development case to case. From day 1 you are paired with an experienced Putnamite to help guide you and welcome you to the firm.

Philanthropy

We are actively involved in our community as a collective firm through engagements like Summer Days of Service and our Holiday Gift Drive. We actively encourage our employees to take on their own initiatives and promote within the firm as well. We are proud to support a small Putnam team who has been leading efforts to help build a primary school in Malawi in partnership with BuildOn. We are also proud to stand in support of amazing local and national charities such as:

  • Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence, MA
  • Dana Farber Cancer Institute
  • Greater Boston Food Bank
  • Minds Matter Boston
  • National Tay-Sachs & Allied Diseases Association

We also actively support the MIT SOLVE Network which aims to solve world challenges through social impact innovation, and Out 4 Undergrad (O4U) conference which aims to showcase career opportunities in business for ambitious LGBTQ+ students.

Strategy for the Life Sciences

  • Insight

    The capacity to gain an accurate and deep intuitive understanding

    Putnam focuses solely on the life science industries, allowing us to provide unparalleled depth, experience and insight into our client’s most complex challenges.

  • Clarity

    The quality of being easily understood

    We do not define our client’s issue to fit our capabilities. Instead, we listen to their needs and tailor our comprehensive set of tools, techniques and expertise to quickly bring clarity to complex issues facing our clients.

  • Strategy

    A careful plan or method for achieving a particular goal

    Understanding the global challenges facing our clients enables us to provide customized, actionable and strategic recommendations that draw on deep therapeutic area and functional expertise.