Director, Biotech Strategy Lead - CNS/ Rare Disease

ICON plc • Blue Bell, SD

4d • Remote

About The Position

The Director, Biotech Strategy Lead for CNS/Rare Disease shapes clinical development strategies and solutions for biotechnology clients. As a strategic advisor, therapeutic area expert, and thought leader, this individual applies expertise in CNS/Rare Disease drug development, clinical operations, and the biotech environment to create differentiated solutions that address client needs and support business growth. The role partners with Business Development, Operations, Medical, Scientific, Finance, and senior leadership teams to shape opportunities, engage clients, support proposals and bid defenses, and translate strategies into operational delivery. It is a highly influential individual-contributor position that leads through expertise, strategic thinking, collaboration, and influence in a complex global matrix. The role is US-based and remote, with approximately 25% travel based on business and client needs.

Requirements

• 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 in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, clinical research, or drug development environments, with significant exposure to clinical development and trial operations.
• Demonstrated CNS/Rare Disease therapeutic area expertise and understanding of drug development, clinical development strategies, study design considerations, and operational challenges in the biotech environment.
• Experience supporting business development activities, including proposal strategy, opportunity assessment, client presentations, bid defenses, and differentiated client solutions.
• Ability to translate scientific, clinical, operational, and commercial considerations into strategic solutions that are operationally feasible and responsive to CNS/Rare Disease biotech clients.
• Proven ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders in a global, matrixed organization without relying on direct reporting-line authority.
• Executive-level communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-management skills, including the ability to engage senior stakeholders and represent 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.
• 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 CNS/Rare Disease clinical development and operational strategies for biotechnology opportunities, translating client objectives, development plans, and scientific requirements into practical, innovative, and commercially competitive solutions.
• Serve as a strategic advisor and CNS/Rare Disease therapeutic area expert during client engagements, opportunity assessments, capability presentations, proposal strategy discussions, and bid defenses.
• Lead strategic development of proposals and solutions with Business Development, Operations, Finance, Medical, Scientific, and CNS/Rare Disease teams; develop responses to RFIs, RFPs, budgets, and other client requirements.
• Build trusted relationships with biotech clients, understand their pipelines, development priorities, and business objectives, and identify opportunities to expand strategic partnerships and portfolios.
• Provide strategic oversight from solution development through execution, evaluating operational feasibility, financial assumptions, risks, KPIs, KRIs, quality indicators, and performance data.
• Apply CNS/Rare Disease and drug development expertise to business strategy, providing insight into development approaches, scientific and clinical trends, operational challenges, competitive dynamics, and client needs.
• Strengthen ICON's CNS/Rare Disease positioning and capabilities through cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and participation in client meetings, conferences, webinars, scientific forums, and thought leadership activities.

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.

What This Job Offers

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