[Hiring] Senior Director, Clinical Operations @ICON plc

Role Description

At ICON Strategic Solutions, you will work in a sponsor-dedicated model, supported by ICON’s global expertise. As a Senior Director, Clinical Operations at ICON, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across clinical programs while building strong client partnerships and helping drive account growth. This highly visible, client-facing role is ideal for an experienced Clinical Operations Director ready to broaden their impact across global clients, new business opportunities and existing accounts.

Your focus will be on leading clinical operations delivery, strengthening client relationships, influencing stakeholders and proactively identifying solutions and opportunities to grow our partnerships.

• Provide strategic and operational leadership across assigned clinical programs and accounts.
• Build trusted relationships with clients and senior internal stakeholders.
• Proactively influence and educate clients on operational processes, solutions and best practices.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen client partnerships and support account growth.
• Lead with confidence, constructively challenging or pushing back on stakeholders when needed to drive the right outcomes.
• Support new and existing business opportunities, including RFPs, proposals, bid defenses and client negotiations.
• Partner across global teams to ensure effective delivery and alignment with client expectations.
• Anticipate challenges, identify solutions and take ownership of driving issues through resolution.
• Work flexibly across global accounts and time zones based on client and business needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a life sciences, healthcare, or related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Advanced degree preferred but not required.
• Significant experience in Clinical Operations within a CRO, pharmaceutical, biotechnology or related clinical research environment.
• Current or recent experience operating at the Director level or equivalent.
• Demonstrated success managing senior client and stakeholder relationships.
• Strong influencing, communication, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to operate effectively in a highly client-facing environment.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership, work proactively and drive results.
• Ability to constructively challenge stakeholders and navigate complex situations.
• Experience working effectively within global and cross-functional teams.
• Flexibility to support global clients across different time zones.

Requirements

• Experience with RFPs and proposal development.
• Experience participating in or leading bid defenses.
• Client negotiation experience.
• Experience supporting business development, account expansion or new business opportunities.
• Demonstrated ability to influence clients and build relationships that support long-term partnerships and growth.
• Strong learning agility and willingness to develop new commercial and business development capabilities.

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.