When the pressure’s on to deliver — whether it’s a site expansion, or a new project — most teams are trying to figure out the same thing: How do we keep this project moving without letting cost, budgets, timelines, or people slip through the cracks?
If you’re in procurement, you’re likely juggling tighter budgets and increased scrutiny on spend. If you’re managing people, retention and engagement are constant concerns. If you’re running a project, it’s all about keeping momentum and getting the right expertise in place before the next milestone hits.
We see it every day at LSC. Working across Ireland and Denmark with some of the world’s leading life sciences companies, these are the conversations we’re having regularly.
The question is no longer “Can we fill this role?” It’s “How do we build resilience into how we resource?”
The Cost of Delay Is Real
In the life sciences sector, project costs have increased by 20–25% compared to pre-pandemic levels — driven by rising fit-out costs, supply chain disruptions, and inflationary pressures. In this environment, every day a key role stays open adds up — in lost progress, rework, or missed compliance checks. And when resourcing is reactive rather than proactive, it often ends up costing more — both financially and in project stress.
At LSC, we give our clients real-time insights on skills, rates, and demand — so they can plan ahead, not play catch-up. With deep roots in Ireland’s Life Sciences sector, we know the projects, the players, and the people with the right skills. We speak to clients and consultants daily, spotting shifts before they hit.
Knowing what’s around the corner helps our clients act early — not when it’s already a bottleneck.
Looking Beyond the Rate Card
When budgets are tight, it’s tempting to chase the lowest hourly rate — but most teams now know that lowest up-front cost rarely equals lowest total cost.
Think about:
- Time to productivity
- Onboarding admin
- Project handovers
- Backfill risk
At LSC, we do things differently. We handpick consultants who align with your values and culture — people who integrate quickly and deliver from day one.
We manage the full onboarding process and stay close throughout to support performance and retention. We handle the heavy lifting, so your team can focus on delivery, not admin. That’s where value lives — and where cost savings are often hidden.
Retention Is a Cost-Control Strategy
We’ve seen it time and again — it isn’t always the rate that causes the most pain, it’s the disruption. When a contractor leaves mid-project or simply isn’t the right fit, the real cost shows up in lost time, missed milestones and added pressure on the team. In fact, replacing an employee can cost 6–9 months of their salary — on a €60,000 role that’s €30,000–€45,000, and in high-skill positions it can climb as high as twice the annual salary (€120,000). That’s why retention matters.
At LSC we don’t just place people and walk away: every consultant we onboard is supported by an ongoing engagement programme — from regular check-ins and site visits to full rate-review transparency and professional-development guidance. The result? Fewer walk-outs, less knowledge loss and true continuity on site.
Less Admin. More Progress.
We all know how much time is lost to manual admin – reviewing CVs, chasing timesheets, and managing compliance paperwork – especially when you’re trying to deliver a project on time and within budget. That’s why we’ve introduced practical tools to reduce admin, improve visibility, and help our clients stay focused on progress.
For example, our new online timesheet process delivered a 75 % time saving for one client site. Our latest solution, Resource Flow, gives clients direct access to a curated pool of qualified, available candidates, so instead of waiting on CVs they can review real-time profiles, reject or shortlist with a click, and move straight to interview stage. It also supports forward planning, allowing clients to explore talent pipelines and stay ahead of future demand — even if they’re not actively hiring.
Alongside this, our Consultant Management Portal provides clear oversight of LSC consultants, letting them approve timesheets and expenses, track invoices, and access key placement information — all in one place. Together, these tools are helping teams across the life sciences sector reduce admin, manage resources more efficiently, and keep project delivery on track.
Planning Ahead Means Fewer Surprises
Many of the teams we work with have moved from fire-fighting mode to forecasting mode.
Instead of scrambling to fill urgent roles, they use market insights and data we provide to plan ahead — anticipating skill shortages, getting early approval for critical hires, and moving faster when things ramp up.
With LSC’s support, some of our clients now build quarterly resourcing reviews into their workflows. It’s a small change, but one that’s had a big impact on delivery speed, spend control, and contractor satisfaction.
It’s Not About Spending More — It’s About Spending Smarter
Doing more with less doesn’t mean compromising on quality or overloading internal teams.
It means:
- Fewer hours lost to hiring delays
- Less time wasted on poorly matched candidates
- Reduced turnover and backfill
- Smoother onboarding
- More control and clarity around spend
At LSC, we help life sciences teams build smarter, leaner resourcing strategies that reduce risk, keep budgets in check, and protect project timelines. Want to learn more about how we support life science teams across Ireland and Denmark? Get in touch with [email protected] or explore our latest market snapshot for insights into current demand, availability, and skills trends.
