Senior Operations Manager I, ICON Prime

ICON•Austin, TX

19d•Onsite

About The Position

ICON Prime is seeking a Senior Operations Manager to serve as the operational backbone of its Prime business unit as the organization and its R&D programs scale. The role owns site operations, facilities and office needs, end-to-end procurement across R&D and overhead functions, and operational cost control. It is based on ICON’s Austin, Texas campus and reports to the Division President of ICON Prime. The manager develops and maintains processes and procedures for procurement, facilities support, security compliance, and cost management. They support onboarding logistics, including equipment provisioning and workspace setup, and improve operations as the business grows. The role also provides operational analysis and administrative support to the Head of R&D and Prime leadership, and plans facility tours, customer visits, offsites, and other events. The position owns operational budget tracking and cost reporting in partnership with Finance, identifies cost-reduction opportunities, and provides analytical recommendations for significant spending decisions. It also manages procurement for R&D materials, equipment, software, and research services, as well as overhead purchases and vendor relationships. The manager coordinates with ICON’s broader procurement organization, ensures purchasing compliance, and maintains vendor records and contract documentation.

Requirements

At least 7 years of progressive operations experience, including direct ownership of procurement, facilities management, and cost control functions.
At least 5 years of experience managing office or administrative operations in a professional environment, including executive support, vendor coordination, facilities oversight, and employee onboarding logistics.
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Operations Management, Supply Chain, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent demonstrated experience.
Demonstrated experience managing procurement across technical/R&D categories and general overhead spend.
Track record managing and improving operational budgets, including monthly close processes, variance reporting, and cost-reduction initiatives.
Experience operating within or alongside a Finance organization, with fluency in budget models and financial reporting formats.
Strong vendor negotiation skills with verifiable examples of improved contract terms or cost outcomes.
Full-time, on-site work at ICON’s Austin, Texas campus.

Nice To Haves

Experience as the sole or lead administrative and operational point of contact for a business unit or division, supporting senior leadership while owning day-to-day office operations.
Experience supporting an R&D, engineering, or science-driven organization where procurement of technical materials, equipment, and specialized services is a core function.
Hands-on proficiency with Coupa and/or NetSuite; familiarity with BAAN, SAP Ariba, or equivalent enterprise procurement platforms.
Experience managing facilities for a laboratory or mixed-use research and office environment.
Experience managing or mentoring direct reports, coordinators, or cross-functional operational staff.
Exposure to construction technology, advanced manufacturing, or hardware development environments.

Responsibilities

Develop and maintain procedures and SOPs for procurement, facilities support, security compliance, and cost management across ICON Prime.
Support new-hire onboarding logistics, including equipment provisioning and workspace setup.
Identify operational gaps and implement improvements as ICON Prime scales.
Provide operational analysis, identify and execute administrative tasks, and support strategic initiatives for the Head of R&D and Prime leadership.
Serve as the primary point of contact for ICON Prime facility and office matters, including space planning, maintenance coordination, and day-to-day workplace operations, coordinating with IT and Facilities teams.
Plan and manage facility tours, customer visits, organization offsites, and other events.
Coordinate logistics, budget tracking, and execution for office buildouts, reconfigurations, and capital improvement projects.
Track ICON Prime operational costs; partner with Finance on annual overhead budgets, monthly actuals, and variance explanations for leadership.
Identify and execute cost-reduction opportunities through vendor renegotiation, demand management, process standardization, and spend consolidation.
Develop and maintain cost dashboards and reporting tools covering operational expenditure across R&D and overhead cost centers.
Model cost scenarios, evaluate savings options, and present spending recommendations with financial rationale.
Manage end-to-end procurement for R&D needs, including laboratory supplies and consumables, research equipment, materials, software licenses, and third-party research and testing services.
Work with R&D team leads and program managers to anticipate purchasing needs, align procurement timelines with project schedules, and prevent supply gaps.
Build and manage preferred vendors for critical R&D categories and negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms.
Ensure R&D procurement complies with ICON purchasing policies, approval thresholds, and applicable regulatory requirements.
Improve R&D procurement workflows to reduce cycle time, increase visibility, and maintain cost discipline.
Manage overhead purchasing and business-unit vendor relationships not covered by centralized ICON service centers.
Coordinate with ICON’s broader procurement organization to use enterprise contracts where applicable and avoid duplicative or off-contract spending.
Evaluate and onboard vendors in accordance with ICON vendor management standards; maintain accurate vendor records and contract documentation.
Occasionally work extended hours during budget cycles, significant vendor negotiations, or facility projects; travel may be required for vendor visits, supplier audits, or ICON offsite events.