Director, Biotech Strategy Lead - Oncology

ICON plc • Blue Bell, SD

4d • Remote

About The Position

ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation focused on bringing new medicines and treatments to patients faster. The Director, Biotech Strategy Lead, Oncology shapes innovative clinical development strategies and solutions for biotechnology clients, with a specific focus on Oncology. This influential individual contributor serves as a strategic advisor, therapeutic area expert, and thought leader, applying expertise in oncology drug development, clinical operations, and the biotech environment to create differentiated solutions and support business growth.

The role partners with Business Development, Operations, Medical, Scientific, Finance, Oncology teams, and senior leaders in a complex global matrix. It leads opportunity strategy, client engagement, proposals, and bid defenses, and helps translate oncology-focused clinical development strategies into operational delivery. The position is remote in the US and requires approximately 25% travel based on business and client needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Approximately 9 or more years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, clinical research, or drug development environments, with significant exposure to clinical development and trial operations.
• Demonstrated Oncology therapeutic area expertise and strong understanding of Oncology drug development, clinical development strategies, study design considerations, and operational challenges in the biotech environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting business development activities, including proposal strategy, opportunity assessment, client presentations, bid defenses, and differentiated client solutions.
• Experience translating scientific, clinical, operational, and commercial considerations into strategic solutions that are operationally feasible and responsive to oncology biotech clients.
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders in a global, matrixed organization without direct reporting-line authority.
• Executive-level communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-management skills, including the ability to engage senior stakeholders and represent oncology strategies and recommendations.
• Strong business acumen, analytical thinking, sound judgment, and ability to assess development challenges, business risks, financial considerations, and operational performance.
• Live in the US and be able to travel approximately 25% based on business and client needs.
• Have the legal right to work in the country where the role is based.

Nice To Haves

• A scientific or biological sciences background is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Shape differentiated Oncology clinical development and operational strategies for biotechnology opportunities, translating client objectives, development plans, and scientific requirements into innovative, practical, and commercially competitive solutions.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and Oncology therapeutic area expert during client engagements, opportunity assessments, capability presentations, proposal strategy discussions, and bid defenses.
• Lead proposal and solution strategy in partnership with Business Development, Operations, Finance, Medical, Scientific, and Oncology teams, including responses to RFIs, RFPs, budgets, and other client requirements.
• Build trusted relationships with biotech clients, understand their Oncology pipelines, development priorities, and business objectives, and identify opportunities to expand strategic partnerships and portfolios.
• Provide strategic oversight from solution development through execution by evaluating operational feasibility, financial assumptions, risks, KPIs, KRIs, quality indicators, and performance data.
• Apply Oncology and drug development expertise to business strategy, including insight into evolving development approaches, scientific and clinical trends, operational challenges, competitive dynamics, and changing client needs.
• Strengthen ICON's Oncology positioning and capabilities through cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and participation in client meetings, conferences, webinars, scientific forums, and other thought leadership activities.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-related incentives.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director