Trial Clinical Delivery Lead

At ICON Strategic Solutions, you will work in a sponsor-dedicated model, supported by ICON’s global expertise.

As the world’s largest FSP organisation, with over 90 sponsor partnerships, we offer stability, career development and a collaborative environment where your work contributes to the development of treatments that benefit patients worldwide.

ICON PLC seeks an experienced Trial Clinical Delivery Lead (TCDL). The TCDL will work in the Functional Service Provision Division of ICON PLC. The TCDL will work directly with a large multinational pharmaceutical company.

• Accountable for the delivery and quality of Phase I-IV, Epidemiology and Real World Evidence Company Sponsored Studies; Collaborative Research Studies; Investigator Sponsored Studies, Early Access Programs and other reseach activities [as applicable across assigned program(s)/product(s)] 

• Provide leadership, strategic direction and operational oversight for Clinical Site Lead (CSL) and/or Clinical Research Manager (CRM) activities across assigned program(s)/ study(ies) in response to quality and performance oversight measures and trends  

• Serve as the operational delivery expert for the program(s)/study(ies) and promote data-driven, realistic planning at the site and study level.  Drive delivery-focussed accountability and ownership amongst key external (CRO) and internal partners as appropriate e.g. CSLs, CRMs, Clinical Trial Leads (CTLs), Clinical Operation Leads (COLs), Early Project Leads (EPLs), GMA Lead(s) etc 

• Facilitate identification and implementation of operational excellence strategies across program(s)/study(ies) - leveraging expertise within Clinical Trial Execution (CTE) and other partner functions 

• Identify trends and issues across assigned program(s)/study(ies) which may impact key study deliverables (e.g. timelines/quality/costs) and work with CSLs, CRMs, CTLs, COLs, EPLs, GMA Lead(s) and other relevant business partners to implement action plans to resolve and/or mitigate  

• Drive proactive risk-based site oversight/study management practices and quality risk oversight and management across all stages of study delivery   

• Ensure timely and appropriate escalation of trends, issues and risks within the Clinical Operations Team/Study Team/ Global Medical Affairs Team, department Leadership Team and/or senior management as appropriate

• Promote solution-orientated thinking and issue resolution at the country/study/program team level.  Provide an escalation pathway to ensure program/study-specific major observations from CSLs/CRMs are relayed to and followed up by the appropriate internal and/or external business partners 

• Support program/product/study-specific onboarding for new ICSO team members and contribute to enhancing their site/study management capabilities/skills 

• Promote product knowledge, collaboration and information channelling; contribute to best practice guidance to drive consistency in the management of sites/studies 

• Provide link between CSLs/CRMs and Global functions, being single point of contact for operational topics and escalations, support information channeling and facilitating solutions at the program level 

• Lead regular calls with CSLs/CRMs working on study and/or other activities within the assigned program(s) 

• Participate in Investigator/Study Coordinator Meetings and promote information sharing with the CSLs/CRMs as needed 

• Act as functional lead for process improvement initiatives 

• Other accountabilities as assigned by Functional Manager in support of the business 

Clinical Development Studies 

• Utilise site performance and quality data analytics to drive risk-based sponsor oversight activities for investigational sites in outsourced studies  

• Represent the CSL group at the Clinical Operations Team (COT)/Trial Team (TT) via:  

• Regular review meetings of study/site performance and quality metrics and the associated strategic action planning 

• Ad hoc interactions to address immediate issues 

• Other COT/TT meetings as appropriate e.g. kick-off meeting 

•  Consolidate data-driven, CSL assessment of country and site selection proposals, ensuring quality and consistency across regions and countries to support TT decision making; inform CSLs of resulting choices of regions/countries/sites  

• Design country start-up strategy in consultation with the Start-up Solutions Team and Country Start-up Specialists (CSS), and in alignment with the CTL(s) and CRO(s).  Work closely with the CSS to oversee and ensure delivery at the site and country level 

• Establish monitoring strategy, including management of identified risks, in collaboration with the CTL(s) and CRO(s) and incorporating principles of a risk-based quality management approach.  Ensure monitoring strategy is updated in response to changes of external environment and/or availability of internal data  
• Develop, implement and follow up on robust Site Oversight Plans, in collaboration with the CTL(s) and working closely with the respective CSLs 

• Identify and encourage use of data-driven oversight tools and methods at the site, study & program level  

Local/Regional Studies and Early Access 

• Oversee Company Sponsored Studies, Collaborative Research Studies and Investigator Sponsored Studies across the portfolio in regards of set-up, conduct and delivery per applicable Governance approvals and contractural obligations – including any agreed quality and/or safety data exchange expectations [as applicable across assigned program(s)/product(s)] 

• Act as the global operations lead for Early Access (EA) activities, partnering with Medical Affairs to co-lead a multi-functional team accountable for implementing the agreed EA strategy including vendor selection and management activities (if applicable); ensure regular status updates are shared with GMA, CTE and ICSO Leadership (and beyond as required) 

• Work closely with GMA Lead(s) to track overall progress/quality and milestone performance and ensure issues are addressed immediately in priority studies 

• Participate in GMA/Launch/Brand Team meetings (as appropriate) to provide operational expertise and promote information sharing with the CRMs as needed 

• Represent CTE at Governance Boards e.g. GMDB, DSC etc, specifically through review of CRM operational plans and providing guidance to ensuring realistic ‘fit for purpose‘ study feasibility (timelines, cost, resources) 

• Review program level CML Dashboard and Finance Tool on a monthly basis to ensure timely risk management and mitigation 

• Work closely with CRMs and other functions as needed to support the financial planning exercise at the program level

Strategic Impact

• Oversee Company Sponsored Studies, Collaborative Research Studies and Investigator Sponsored Studies across the portfolio in regards of set-up, conduct and delivery per applicable Governance approvals and contractural obligations – including any agreed quality and/or safety data exchange expectations [as applicable across assigned program(s)/product(s)] 

• Act as the global operations lead for Early Access (EA) activities, partnering with Medical Affairs to co-lead a multi-functional team accountable for implementing the agreed EA strategy including vendor selection and management activities (if applicable); ensure regular status updates are shared with GMA, CTE and ICSO Leadership (and beyond as required) 

• Work closely with GMA Lead(s) to track overall progress/quality and milestone performance and ensure issues are addressed immediately in priority studies 

• Participate in GMA/Launch/Brand Team meetings (as appropriate) to provide operational expertise and promote information sharing with the CRMs as needed 

• Represent CTE at Governance Boards e.g. GMDB, DSC etc, specifically through review of CRM operational plans and providing guidance to ensuring realistic ‘fit for purpose‘ study feasibility (timelines, cost, resources) 

• Review program level CML Dashboard and Finance Tool on a monthly basis to ensure timely risk management and mitigation 

• Work closely with CRMs and other functions as needed to support the financial planning exercise at the program level 

• Handles sensitive issues and guides, influences, and convinces colleagues in other teams/functions as well as external partners 

• Identifies opportunities for creativity and innovation to reduce timelines and/or cost to deliver studies/projects 

Scope of Responsibilty

• Provide functional leadership for CSLs, CRMs, Contract/FSP staff/(TCDLs if applicable) 

• Collaborate with ICSO Heads on CSL/CRM/FSP resourcing needs and performance related escalations as applicable  
• Oversee external providers as applicable

Education

Requires graduate background (Medical or Life Sciences degree) in a clinical research related discipline or equivalent

Work Experience

• Clinical operations experience – ideally across Phases (I-IV) 

• Expert knowledge of clinical development (principles and concepts as well as regulatory environment e.g. ICH GCP and applicable regional/local regulations) 

• Oncology and/or Neurology and/or Immunology TA experience desired 

• Substantial (10+ years) professional and project management experience in clinical research in a CRO, pharma or biotech company including site management/oversight, clinical study planning and conduct 

Job Specific Competencies and Skills

• Aptitude to interpret outputs from analytical tools to enhance and improve study execution 

• Comfortable working in a fast‐paced environment where speed is paramount 

• Fluency in English (oral and written) plus local language 

• Position may require domestic/international travel up to 20% of time 

• Ability to work independently on assigned tasks or projects  

• Ability to assess risk, solve problems and take decisions  

• Demonstrated ability to handle and oversee multiple tasks simultaneously and to prioritize in a meaningful way   

• Analytical skills, quick perception and good judgement 

• Demonstrated good interpersonal skills 

• Demonstrated good written and verbal communication skills ​Demonstrated good presentation skills 

• Good cultural awareness 

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Employment with ICON is contingent upon having the legal right to work in the country where the role is based.

Rewards & Benefits

ICON offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and career development.

Benefits may include:

• 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.

Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.

Inclusion and Accessibility

ICON is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

If you require reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know or submit a request here.

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