[Hiring] Team Lead, Language Services @ICON plc

Role Description

The Team Lead, PCS, Language Services is responsible for overseeing a team of project and/or operations staff within the Language Services department of ICON. This role ensures high standards in training, risk management, and resource allocation, while also serving as a subject matter expert in localization workflows, language technology tools, and the clinical/pharmaceutical industry.

• Fosters team development through active coaching and knowledge-sharing.
• Ensures team members are equipped with project management skills and understanding of regulatory, scientific, and clinical trial contexts.
• Drives operational excellence, quality, and compliance in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in translation, localization, or language services project management, including team mentoring or coordination.
• Strong expertise in Life Sciences translation (e.g., pharmaceutical, clinical trials, biotech).
• Solid understanding of localization workflows, quality management practices, and industry standards (e.g., GxP, ISO).
• Hands-on experience with quality investigations, root cause analysis, and CAPA implementation in localization.
• Proven ability to support strategic client relationships and contribute to sales efforts through solution-focused thinking.
• Skilled in coaching and developing team members’ expertise in both localization and clinical content.
• Advanced proficiency with CAT tools, TMS platforms, and structured content formats (XML, PDF, etc.).
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and organizational skills.
• Able to thrive in a deadline-driven, regulated environment with minimal supervision.

Requirements

• Actively supports the growth and integration of language services within ICON’s Clinical & Scientific Research (PCS) division.
• Builds and maintains deep expertise in localization, language technology, and clinical/pharmaceutical industry trends and regulatory landscapes.
• Guides junior staff in understanding evolving client needs, industry developments, and service delivery challenges specific to Life Sciences.
• Drives awareness among project teams on client relationships, supporting strategic engagement and contributing to client retention and sales initiatives.
• Leads the development of new project management practices and operational systems that improve efficiency, consistency, quality, and risk mitigation.
• Oversees a functional team of project and/or operations staff, ensuring optimal resourcing and training aligned with team and departmental goals.
• Mentors and develops staff through coaching, knowledge-sharing, and creation of best practice materials, including process guides and training tools.
• Responsible for team-level human resource management, including performance development, staffing, engagement, and recognition.
• Ensures the delivery of high-quality, compliant language services across all projects, in line with industry standards and client expectations.
• May manage a portfolio of complex or strategic projects, acting as a senior escalation point.
• Proactively identifies and manages project risks; supports proposal development with realistic assumptions to mitigate those risks.
• Drives a culture of continuous improvement by capturing client feedback, addressing issues, and promoting operational learnings across the team.
• Represents the department in internal and external meetings, including client reviews and strategic discussions.
• Leads or contributes to CAPA investigations, ensures adherence to quality control procedures, and champions best practices in localization QA.
• Oversees staff onboarding and development, ensuring alignment with training plans and mentoring objectives.
• Maintains and updates department-specific project tools, checklists, and documentation to ensure operational consistency.
• Ensures team compliance with all applicable SOPs, policies, and procedures.
• Performs additional duties as reasonably assigned to support departmental goals and service excellence.

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.