[Hiring] Director, Biotech Strategy Lead @ICON plc

Role Description

As a Director, Biotech Strategy Lead, CNS/ Rare Disease, you will play a key role in shaping innovative clinical development strategies and solutions for biotechnology clients, with a specific focus on CNS/ Rare Disease. Acting as a strategic advisor, CNS/ Rare Disease therapeutic area expert, and thought leader, you will bring deep understanding of CNS/ Rare Disease drug development, clinical operations, and the biotech environment to create differentiated solutions that address client needs and support business growth.

You will partner across Business Development, Operations, Medical, Scientific, Finance, and senior leadership teams to shape opportunity strategy, engage clients, support proposals and bid defenses, and translate CNS/ Rare Disease-focused clinical development strategies into successful operational delivery. This is a highly influential individual contributor role requiring the ability to lead through therapeutic expertise, strategic thinking, collaboration, and influence within a complex global matrix.

• Shape differentiated CNS/ Rare Disease clinical development and operational strategies for biotechnology opportunities.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and CNS/ Rare Disease therapeutic area expert during client engagements.
• Lead the strategic development of proposals and solutions, partnering across various teams.
• Build trusted relationships with biotech clients, developing a deep understanding of their CNS/ Rare Disease pipelines.
• Provide strategic oversight from solution development through execution.
• Apply deep CNS/ Rare Disease and drug development expertise to business strategy.
• Strengthen ICON's CNS/ Rare Disease positioning and capabilities through collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, or a related discipline; a scientific or biological sciences background is highly valued.
• Approximately 9 or more years of experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, clinical research, or drug development environment.
• Demonstrated CNS/ Rare Disease therapeutic area expertise.
• Demonstrated experience supporting business development activities.
• Experience translating scientific, clinical, operational, and commercial considerations into strategic solutions.
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders.
• Executive-level communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-management skills.
• Strong business acumen, analytical thinking, and sound judgment.
• Live in the US and able to travel approximately 25% based on business and client needs.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance related incentives.
• Health and wellbeing programmes including medical, dental, and vision coverage where applicable.
• Retirement and pension plans.
• Life assurance and disability coverage.
• Employee assistance programmes and wellbeing resources.
• Learning and development opportunities through structured training and career pathways.
• Benefits may vary depending on role and location.

Company Description

ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and treatments to patients faster. As a values-driven organisation, integrity, collaboration, agility, and inclusion are at the heart of how we work and interact with each other, customers, patients and suppliers.