Trading Operations Associate Jobs in Elmhurst, IL

We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You’ll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There’s no one like you and that’s why there’s nowhere like RSM.

As a Senior Associate within RSM’s Life Sciences Advisory practice, you will become a key leader in one of the fastest-growing and most entrepreneurial groups within the firm. You will bring firsthand experience from within a biotech or pharmaceutical organization to help clients navigate complex, cross‑functional operational challenges at critical moments in their growth.

You will operate with the agility of a lean advisory team while leveraging the scale, depth, and cross‑functional resources of the largest middle market advisory firm in the country. Your industry perspective will directly influence the service offerings we develop and the way we serve life sciences clients across the product lifecycle.

Responsibilities

Client Delivery & Project Management

• Leverage prior experience within biotech or pharmaceutical organizations to advise clients on operational readiness across Finance, Supply Chain / Manufacturing, and Commercial Operations during periods of rapid scaling — including the critical window before and after a product reaches market. This includes identifying gaps, assessing risks, and leading remediation efforts.
• Lead the overall delivery of complex, multi‑workstream consulting engagements, managing project scope, timelines, budgets, and quality from kickoff through close‑out.
• Apply deep functional expertise to solve real operational challenges, including system implementations, process redesign, financial infrastructure buildout, and post‑launch integration.
• Supervise, coach, and develop junior team members, fostering a collaborative, high‑performance environment grounded in accountability, learning, and professional growth.

Strategic Contribution & Practice Growth

• Partner with practice leadership to identify high‑potential life sciences clients and contribute subject matter expertise to RSM’s growth and sales targeting initiatives.

Service Offering Development

• Provide input and insight into the evolution of RSM’s Life Sciences Advisory service offerings, using your perspective as an industry insider to help shape solutions aligned to market needs.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Life Sciences, or a related field
• 2+ years of professional experience, with a significant portion spent working directly within a Biotechnology or Pharmaceutical company, or in a consulting role serving those organizations exclusively
• Demonstrated experience supporting a product through the path toward commercialization in an operational, financial, or commercial capacity, with an understanding of regulatory requirements, stakeholder dynamics, and internal pressures
• Deep technical knowledge in at least one of the following areas:
• Finance: FP&A, Record‑to‑Report, Gross‑to‑Net accounting, Technical Accounting
• Supply Chain / Manufacturing: CMC, CMO management, demand planning, costing, manufacturing operations
• Commercial Operations: Market access, trade relations, commercial data infrastructure, CRM
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50%+, based on client engagement needs
• Ability to influence without authority, align cross‑functional leaders around shared objectives, and drive progress without friction.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to clearly and confidently present complex operational topics to senior client stakeholders.
• Structured thinker with intellectual curiosity who thrives in ambiguous environments and focuses on asking the right questions before jumping to solutions.
• Commitment to investing in peers, clients, and the next generation of practitioners through mentorship, collaboration, and trust‑based relationships.

At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.

All applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender; sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.

Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership. RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at 800-274-3978 or send us an email at careers@rsmus.com.

RSM does not intend to hire entry level candidates who will require sponsorship now OR in the future (i.e. F-1 visa holders). If you are a recent U.S. college / university graduate possessing 1-2 years of progressive and relevant work experience in a same or similar role to the one for which you are applying, excluding internships, you may be eligible for hire as an experienced associate.

RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records. For those living in California or applying to a position in California, please click here for additional information.

At RSM, an employee’s pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.

Compensation Range: $94,400 - $178,800

Individuals selected for this role will be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance.