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Senior Managing Director, Disputes & Economics, Life Sciences

Ankura · Chicago, IL · Full time

Posted Sep 15, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a life sciences matter you led involving pricing, reimbursement or regulatory compliance.

What they are checking: Whether they have led real engagements in pharma, biotech or device disputes and investigations.

Which relationships with law firms and companies would you bring, and how have you generated work from them?

What they are checking: Whether they can originate business, which a senior managing director is expected to do.

How do you develop directors and managers into future leaders of the practice?

What they are checking: Whether they invest in people as well as selling work.

Tell me about a time you helped a client transform how their organization handled compliance.

What they are checking: Whether they can align people, process and technology in a transformative environment, as the posting says.

What would you do

How would you build Ankura's disputes and compliance work in the life sciences sector over the next three years?

What they are checking: Whether they have a realistic growth plan built on their relationships and market knowledge.

A client pushes for conclusions the data doesn't support. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they protect independence and credibility, which are the firm's real assets in disputes.

About the work

How do you combine clinical, data and economic experts on one engagement?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead a mixed team of nurses, pharmacists, economists and data scientists.

Walk me through how you'd approach a government investigation into a drug maker's pricing practices.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the regulations, data and analysis these investigations require.

How do you prepare to testify or support a testifying expert?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to make analysis hold up under cross-examination.

What trends in life sciences do you think will create the most disputes work?

What they are checking: Whether they read the market well enough to position the practice ahead of demand.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Ankura.

Ankura is a team of excellence founded on innovation and growth. Practice Overview: Ankura’s Health Care team is a recognized leader in health care and life sciences disputes, compliance, and investigations. The team combines clinical, technical, operational, financial, economic, and analytic expertise to help clients and counsel resolve complex matters involving payers, providers, pharmacies, and law firms. Role Overview As a key member of our Healthcare and Life Sciences Practice, you will be working with the firm’s health care and Life Sciences industry leadership team in building the firm’s strategies, solutions, and capabilities to provide regulatory compliance, disputes, and investigations services across the Life Sciences sector. You will be joining a team of industry experts with backgrounds in compliance, legal, audit, operations, nursing, pharmacy, medical science, economics, accounting, and data science. Key Components of the Role will Include: Technical Expertise : Previous or current consulting experience at a public accounting firm or large to mid-size consulting firm in the life sciences segment (pharma, biotech, healthcare technology, medical devices and/or diagnostics), with experience working in a transformative environment to properly align people/process/technology to improve financial and operational performance. A strong working knowledge of the laws, regulations and industry trends impacting the Life Sciences industry is required. These include the: Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and related FDA regulations; Federal False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback statute; and Medicare and Medicaid, Veteran’s Administration and 340 B drug pricing requirements. Strategic Thought Leadership : Actively engaged in industry groups and events providing executive experience in “innovation thought leadership” for pharmaceutical manufacturers, biotech, and medical device/diagnostic companies and their counsel and private equity firms is important for this position. Client Service Experience : A proven track record in delivering large/complex compliance, disputes, and investigations and advisory projects is essential. This individual has executive experience in communicating effectively with boards of directors; client executives; governmental authorities; and industry professionals at all working levels. Growth : You will be part of a group that is pursuing internal and external growth opportunities. A proven track record in driving sustainable financial and operational results at a consulting firm is preferred. Talent Development : Experience coaching and mentoring talent to help our team grow professionally (regardless of position). Participating in recruiting new talent will also be expected. Collaborative Influence : As previously noted, Ankura’s largest industry focus is healthcare. Collaborating with consulting professionals across all lines of business within the firm is a core expectation for this position (i.e. Financial Services, Strategy and Performance, Economics, Data Analytics, and other transaction services). Other Expectations Include: • Participate in relevant healthcare or life sciences industry groups and conference events • Executing quality service delivery and identifying additional value-added services • Experience in providing expert witness testimony is preferred • Managing multiple, large engagements, evaluating work quality and performance, including qualitative and quantitative tasks • Providing best-in-class experience for our clients • Complying with the firm’s expectations around risk management standards as it pertains to client service delivery including timely billing and collections • Participating in developing new business, developing relationships, qualifying leads, and scoping opportunities in a highly collaborative manner Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in business, finance, accounting, economics, data analytics, health care operations, health policy, clinical discipline, or a related field; advanced degree preferred. • 10+ years experience at a Partner/Director/Senior Management level --- OR a combination of life sciences industry experience, public accounting, and life sciences consulting required • 10 years or more of experience in life sciences accounting/advisory segments required • Proven and tangible business development record with a portable book of relationships and revenue generation of at least $3M; demonstrated ability to grow toward $3M to $5M+ annually. • Exceptional executive communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical, analytic, reimbursement, and damages issues to boards, C-suite clients, law firms, regulators, mediators, arbitrators, judges, and juries. • Demonstrated commitment to privilege, confidentiality, work-product discipline, expert independence, collaboration, quality, and team development. • Ability and willingness to travel; must be legally authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship now or in the future. #LI-NT1 #LI-Remote * Ankura is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters, if you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening, submit an online application, or participate in an interview/assessment, please email accommodations@ankura.com or call toll-free +1.312-583-2122. This email and phone number are created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues unrelated to a disability, will not receive a response.

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