Syneos Health: Consulting Overview, Careers, and Interview Insights

Syneos Health is a global biopharmaceutical consulting firm known for combining clinical research and commercial expertise under one roof. With a presence in over 100 countries, Syneos Health consulting helps pharmaceutical and biotech companies bring new therapies to market faster through integrated solutions. Whether you’re exploring Syneos Health careers, curious about what does Syneos Health do, or preparing for the interview process, understanding the firm’s unique model can give you a competitive edge. In this article, we will explore Syneos Health’s history, services, culture, salaries, and what it takes to launch a successful career at the firm.

TL;DR – What You Need to Know

Syneos Health is a global biopharmaceutical consulting firm that integrates clinical research, commercialization, and strategic advisory services to accelerate healthcare innovation and market delivery.

• Syneos Health was formed from a 2018 merger between INC Research and InVentiv Health to unite clinical and commercial expertise.
• The firm’s core practice areas include clinical development, commercialization, and consulting across diverse life sciences sectors.
• Syneos Health careers offer structured progression, mentorship, and exposure to both strategy consulting and biopharma operations.
• The interview process combines behavioral, case, and presentation assessments focused on analytical and communication skills.
• Consultants earn competitive salaries, strong professional training, and access to global career growth and exit opportunities in healthcare and biotech.

What Is Syneos Health and What Does the Firm Do?

Syneos Health is a global biopharmaceutical consulting and solutions firm that integrates clinical research, commercialization, and advisory services to help life sciences companies bring new therapies to market faster and more effectively. The firm stands out for being the only fully integrated organization combining both Contract Research Organization (CRO) and Contract Commercial Organization (CCO) capabilities.

Syneos Health was created to solve a major challenge in the biopharma industry: the disconnect between clinical development and commercial execution. By aligning these two functions, the company enables clients to streamline product development, reduce time to market, and maximize patient impact.

The firm’s service model bridges three main areas:

• Clinical Development: Designing, managing, and executing clinical trials for pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
• Commercialization: Supporting go-to-market strategies, sales enablement, and real-world evidence programs to ensure successful drug launches.
• Consulting: Offering strategic insights across portfolio management, market access, medical affairs, and digital engagement.

Headquartered in Morrisville, North Carolina, Syneos Health operates in more than 110 countries and employs over 29,000 professionals across 88 global locations. This broad network allows the firm to collaborate with leading healthcare organizations and innovators, making it a trusted partner in the biopharmaceutical consulting space.

What truly differentiates Syneos Health is its “biopharmaceutical acceleration” approach. Instead of treating research and commercialization as separate silos, the firm synchronizes both to help clients deliver therapies that improve patient outcomes. For professionals interested in healthcare consulting, this integrated model provides a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of science, strategy, and innovation.

The History and Evolution of Syneos Health

Syneos Health was formed in 2018 through the merger of INC Research and InVentiv Health, creating one of the world’s largest fully integrated biopharmaceutical services organizations. The merger combined INC’s clinical research strength with InVentiv’s commercial and consulting expertise to better serve the life sciences industry.

The firm’s origins trace back to the late 1990s, when both predecessor companies were already major players in healthcare services. INC Research specialized in Contract Research Organization (CRO) work, supporting clinical trials across therapeutic areas. InVentiv Health focused on commercialization, marketing, and patient engagement through its Contract Commercial Organization (CCO) network.

By uniting these capabilities, Syneos Health established a distinctive model that merges scientific rigor with commercial execution. This structure enables clients to manage the full product lifecycle from clinical testing to market launch under one coordinated framework.

Since its founding, Syneos Health has expanded across more than 110 countries, employing over 29,000 professionals. The company’s evolution reflects both the increasing complexity of global drug development and the growing demand for integrated biopharmaceutical consulting solutions.

Its continued growth demonstrates how Syneos Health transformed from two independent firms into a single, globally recognized leader in clinical and commercial integration. For professionals exploring healthcare consulting careers, this evolution showcases the firm’s stability, innovation, and long-term relevance in the biopharma landscape.

What Are Syneos Health’s Core Practice Areas and Services?

Syneos Health’s core practice areas span clinical development, commercialization, and consulting, offering end-to-end biopharmaceutical solutions for clients. The firm combines scientific expertise, market access strategy, and commercial execution to help companies accelerate product launches and improve patient outcomes.

Syneos Health Consulting serves as the strategic advisory arm of the organization. It is divided into four specialized advisory groups, each addressing a key stage of the biopharmaceutical value chain:

• Commercial Advisory Group: Focuses on portfolio strategy, market access, digital engagement, and product lifecycle management.
• Scientific and Medical Affairs Advisory Group: Provides guidance on medical affairs, regulatory compliance, and quality systems.
• Risk and Program Management Advisory Group: Oversees risk evaluation, mitigation strategies, and large-scale program coordination.
• R&D Advisory Group: Aligns research and development initiatives with broader corporate objectives to enhance innovation and efficiency.

In addition to consulting, the firm’s Contract Research Organization (CRO) division conducts global clinical trials, while the Contract Commercial Organization (CCO) supports sales, marketing, and field operations. These three units work together to deliver integrated insights from lab to launch something few firms in the healthcare consulting space can match.

This alignment across practice areas makes Syneos Health one of the most comprehensive biopharmaceutical consulting firms, enabling clients to streamline drug development while maintaining quality, compliance, and patient focus.

Which Industries Does Syneos Health Serve?

Syneos Health serves a wide range of industries within the life sciences sector, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical technology. The firm provides consulting, clinical research, and commercialization support to clients developing innovative therapies across diverse therapeutic areas such as oncology, cardiovascular health, and neurology.

By integrating scientific expertise with market strategy, Syneos Health helps organizations navigate complex regulatory environments and bring treatments to patients more efficiently. The firm’s consulting teams collaborate closely with R&D, medical affairs, and marketing departments to ensure that every stage of the product lifecycle from early research to post-launch remains aligned with both business goals and patient needs.

Key industries and therapeutic domains supported by Syneos Health include:

• Pharmaceutical and Biotech Companies: Drug development, clinical trials, and go-to-market strategy.
• Medical Device and Diagnostics Firms: Market access, product commercialization, and regulatory compliance.
• Healthcare Providers and Payers: Real-world evidence, outcomes research, and digital transformation consulting.
• Public Health and Nonprofit Organizations: Strategic planning, community health initiatives, and clinical program management.

Through this broad industry footprint, Syneos Health has built long-term partnerships across global healthcare markets, positioning itself as a trusted consulting partner for life sciences innovation.

Inside Syneos Health Careers and Growth Opportunities

Syneos Health careers offer professionals the chance to work at the intersection of science, strategy, and commercial innovation. The firm provides opportunities across consulting, clinical operations, data analytics, and commercialization, giving employees exposure to every stage of the biopharmaceutical lifecycle. Its career model emphasizes continuous learning, mentorship, and cross-functional collaboration.

The Syneos Health consulting career path typically follows a structured progression designed to build both analytical and leadership skills. New hires often begin in analyst or associate consultant roles, gaining exposure to multiple therapeutic areas and project types before moving into managerial or strategic leadership positions.

A typical consulting career track includes:

• Analyst / Associate Consultant: Focus on research, market analysis, and client deliverables.
• Consultant / Senior Consultant: Manage workstreams, coordinate with clients, and develop tailored recommendations.
• Engagement Manager: Lead project teams and oversee strategic execution.
• Director / Managing Director: Guide business development, mentor teams, and shape firm-wide strategy.

Beyond consulting, Syneos Health also offers roles in clinical development, project management, and commercialization support. Employees benefit from professional training, leadership development programs, and certification opportunities designed to advance career progression.

The firm’s Empowered Employment Experience model ensures that employees receive the tools, feedback, and career support needed to grow their expertise. Whether you are starting your consulting career or seeking senior-level leadership opportunities, Syneos Health provides diverse pathways to make a meaningful impact in healthcare.

What Is the Syneos Health Interview Process Like?

The Syneos Health interview process evaluates both technical ability and cultural fit through a mix of behavioral, case-based, and situational interviews. Candidates are assessed on analytical thinking, communication skills, and their understanding of the biopharmaceutical industry. The process typically includes multiple stages, varying slightly by role and experience level.

Most consulting and professional roles at Syneos Health follow a three-part interview format:

• Behavioral Interviews: These focus on past experiences and how candidates handle teamwork, deadlines, and problem-solving. Common topics include leadership challenges, project ownership, and conflict resolution.
• Case Study Interviews: Candidates receive a business problem related to clinical development or commercialization and are asked to analyze data, structure solutions, and present recommendations.
• Panel or Final Round Interviews: Senior consultants or directors evaluate strategic thinking, client interaction skills, and cultural alignment with the firm’s collaborative values.

In some commercial or client-facing positions, candidates may also complete a short sales demonstration or presentation assignment, simulating real-world consulting scenarios.

To succeed in the Syneos Health interview process, candidates should:

• Research the firm’s consulting and biopharmaceutical service areas.
• Practice case frameworks relevant to healthcare and life sciences.
• Prepare STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) examples for behavioral questions.
• Demonstrate clear motivation to work in integrated consulting and clinical services.

This multi-step process allows Syneos Health to identify candidates who not only excel analytically but also fit well within the firm’s collaborative, innovation-driven culture.

How Much Do Syneos Health Consultants Earn?

Syneos Health consultants typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 per year, depending on experience, role, and location. Entry-level analysts and associate consultants earn around $70,000 to $85,000, while senior consultants and engagement managers can make between $110,000 and $150,000 annually, often including bonuses and performance incentives.

Compensation at Syneos Health reflects the firm’s hybrid structure combining consulting with clinical and commercial services so pay levels vary across business units. For example:

• Consulting Division: Competitive with other life sciences consulting firms; salaries increase rapidly with project management responsibility.
• Clinical Research (CRO) Roles: Focused on scientific and project delivery excellence; compensation includes additional research-related benefits.
• Commercial Organization (CCO) Roles: Often include commission-based or incentive pay tied to business results and client satisfaction.

Additional factors that influence pay include:

• Geographic location (U.S. and Europe generally offer higher ranges than Asia-Pacific).
• Academic background and prior consulting experience.
• Specialized expertise in high-demand therapeutic areas like oncology or immunology.

Syneos Health also provides a comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, wellness programs, retirement savings, and flexible work options. These perks, combined with global exposure and career mobility, make the total compensation package attractive for professionals pursuing long-term careers in biopharmaceutical consulting.

Syneos Health Culture, Values, and DE&I Initiatives

Syneos Health builds its culture around collaboration, accountability, innovation, and trust. The firm promotes a people-first environment where employees are encouraged to learn, lead, and make measurable impact in healthcare. Its workplace culture blends the analytical rigor of consulting with the empathy-driven values of life sciences.

At the heart of Syneos Health’s culture are five core values that guide how teams work with clients and each other:

• Accountability: Taking ownership of outcomes and client success.
• Trust: Building transparent, ethical relationships internally and externally.
• Collaboration: Encouraging cross-functional teamwork to solve complex challenges.
• Innovation: Leveraging data, science, and creativity to improve healthcare delivery.
• Professional Advancement: Supporting continuous learning and leadership growth.

The firm’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) programs are a central part of its identity. Through its Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), Syneos Health fosters belonging and provides spaces for underrepresented employees to engage with leadership. These ERGs are complemented by the DE&I Council, which ensures inclusion goals are embedded into management training and talent acquisition processes.

Other initiatives include targeted recruitment at HBCUs, internal mentorship for emerging leaders, and global awareness campaigns tied to the firm’s People Pillar a commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.

By combining purpose-driven values with career development opportunities, Syneos Health maintains a supportive, growth-oriented culture that attracts professionals passionate about improving global health outcomes.

Career Growth and Exit Opportunities After Syneos Health

Career growth at Syneos Health is structured, diverse, and designed to help professionals develop expertise across clinical research, commercialization, and consulting. The firm offers clear advancement paths, leadership training, and mentorship programs that enable employees to transition into more strategic roles over time. Many consultants move into client management or cross-functional leadership positions within a few years.

Syneos Health’s integrated model provides exposure to multiple parts of the healthcare ecosystem, making it an ideal foundation for long-term career development. Professionals gain both consulting experience and industry knowledge, which are valuable for progression within the firm and beyond.

Common career progression pathways include:

• Moving from consulting into biopharma leadership or product management roles.
• Transitioning into market access, strategy, or operations positions within global pharmaceutical companies.
• Shifting into specialized areas such as real-world evidence, medical affairs, or healthcare analytics.

Exit opportunities after Syneos Health are also strong. Alumni often move to top pharmaceutical and biotech firms such as Pfizer, Novartis, and Merck, or into senior positions at healthcare startups. Some pursue advanced roles in management consulting, including at MBB firms, leveraging their deep industry expertise and project leadership experience.

The firm’s alumni network continues to expand globally, offering professional connections that support future career moves. For those seeking a long-term career in healthcare consulting or industry leadership, Syneos Health provides a platform for growth, impact, and lifelong learning.

Awards, Recognition, and Global Presence of Syneos Health

Syneos Health has earned global recognition for its innovation, learning culture, and leadership in integrated biopharmaceutical solutions. The firm operates in more than 110 countries with 88 offices worldwide, supporting clients through a network of 29,000 professionals who bring scientific expertise and commercial insight to every project.

Over the years, Syneos Health has been recognized for its excellence across multiple dimensions, from workforce development to operational innovation. Key awards and honors include:

• Bloomberg BusinessWeek “50 Companies to Watch” (2017): Acknowledged for industry leadership and growth.
• CenterWatch Top Innovators List (2018): Honored for innovation in clinical research and trial delivery.
• Brandon Hall Award (2020): Recognized for Best Unique or Innovative Learning Program.
• FlexJobs Top 100 Companies to Watch (2021): Highlighted for its flexible and remote work culture.

The firm’s global footprint spans North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East, allowing it to serve multinational clients with consistent quality and cross-regional expertise. This scale helps Syneos Health support end-to-end projects, from clinical trial execution in emerging markets to global commercialization in mature economies.

Syneos Health’s continued growth and recognition reinforce its position as a top-tier biopharmaceutical consulting firm trusted by leading healthcare innovators worldwide. Its combination of scale, talent, and impact-driven approach positions the company as a long-term partner for advancing global health.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Syneos Health known for?
A: Syneos Health is known for combining clinical research and commercial consulting under one organization. The firm helps biopharmaceutical and healthcare companies bring new therapies to market faster through its integrated Contract Research Organization (CRO) and Contract Commercial Organization (CCO) services.

Q: What is the Syneos Health controversy?
A: The Syneos Health controversy refers to past concerns related to delayed financial reporting and project management issues. While the firm addressed these challenges, Syneos Health remains a leading biopharmaceutical consulting company focused on innovation, compliance, and client transparency.

Q: Who is Syneos owned by?
A: Syneos Health is owned by a consortium of private equity firms, including Elliott Investment Management, Patient Square Capital, and Veritas Capital. The acquisition transitioned Syneos Health from a public company to a privately held organization in 2023. 

Q: Who competes with Syneos Health?
A: Syneos Health competes with other major healthcare and biopharmaceutical consulting firms such as IQVIA, Parexel, Labcorp Drug Development, and ICON. These firms also provide clinical research, commercialization, and life sciences consulting services.

Q: Does Syneos Health make drugs?
A: No, Syneos Health does not make drugs. Instead, the company supports pharmaceutical and biotech clients by offering consulting, clinical research, and commercialization services that help bring new therapies to patients efficiently.