Service Line Specialist

About The Role

Cognizant is seeking a Service Line Specialist to join our dynamic Life Sciences team, specifically within the Artificial Intelligence & Analytics (AIA) practice. As a Service Line Specialist, you’ll be responsible for growing our presence in key existing life sciences accounts across North America. You will manage our go-to-market sales strategy, identify and qualify new opportunities, close new business, and expand both revenue and our stakeholder footprint within assigned accounts.

At Cognizant, our Life Sciences practice is driving a new era of transformation—partnering with top pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech organizations to revolutionize how healthcare is developed, delivered, and experienced. Central to this mission is our AIA team, which infuses intelligence across the life sciences value chain—from drug discovery and clinical trials to patient engagement and commercial strategy.

If you're excited by big problems, global partnerships, and bold thinking—there’s a seat waiting for you.

In this role, you will:

• Drive growth across existing life sciences clients by developing sales strategies, mapping stakeholder networks, and building trusted relationships in collaboration with Cognizant’s account teams and other key stakeholders.
• Manage the full sales cycle—from pipeline generation and solution proposal development to commercial negotiations and deal closure.
• Own revenue and Total Commercial Value targets while shaping new opportunities within existing and new accounts.
• Lead financial structuring, outsourcing discussions, and risk management across engagements.
• Provide ongoing oversight to the client post-sale, ensuring seamless delivery of services in collaboration with the Client Partner and service line stakeholders
• Advise account and delivery leadership by identifying risks, surfacing issues, and enabling proactive mitigation strategies
• Develop and implement account growth plans that integrate with the client’s broader strategic priorities

Work Model

We believe hybrid work is the way forward as we strive to provide flexibility wherever possible. Based on this role’s business requirements, this is a hybrid position. The ideal candidate resides in the Chicago area. This role requires up to 50% travel, and the remaining time is spent either a local Cognizant office or a home office. Regardless of your working arrangement, we are here to support a healthy work-life balance though our various wellbeing programs.

The working arrangements for this role are accurate as of the date of posting. This may change based on the project you’re engaged in, as well as business and client requirements. Rest assured; we will always be clear about role expectations.

What You Need To Have To Be Considered

• A minimum of 15 years of experience; primarily in a client facing role (client management, sales) at top consulting / software / IT Services company.

• Extensive experience delivering transformative solutions across the life sciences industry, with a strong focus on automation, data & analytics, and process consulting. Examples of the work sold today by the AIA team in Life Sciences includes: AI Workforce integration using AgenticAI, ETL and data modeling, business intelligence enablement, scalable and secure data warehouses, to list a few.
• Skilled at supporting account teams and building strong, collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Combines sharp business acumen with a consultative selling style, leveraging technical insight to solve complex business challenges and engage senior decision-makers.
• Exceptional communicator with strong presentation and influencing skills, and the ability to navigate across all organizational levels.
• Known for a hands-on, roll-up-the-sleeves approach and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, virtual, and matrixed environments.
• Adept at managing multiple pursuits simultaneously, prioritizing effectively, and driving results with an entrepreneurial mindset and team-first spirit.

We're excited to meet people who share our mission and can make an impact in a variety of ways. Don't hesitate to apply, even if you only meet the minimum requirements listed. Think about your transferable experiences and unique skills that make you stand out as someone who can bring new and exciting things to this role.

Benefits

Cognizant offers the following benefits for this position, subject to applicable eligibility requirements:

• Medical/Dental/Vision/Life Insurance
• Paid holidays plus Paid Time Off
• 401(k) plan and contributions
• Long-term/Short-term Disability
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan