Senior Director, Therapeutic Area (Hepatology)

Senior Director, Drug Development & Consulting – Hepatology

At ICON plc, we are driven by commitment to People, Clients, and Performance. We are seeking a strategic Hepatology expert to join our Drug Development & Consulting team in a highly visible, client-facing role.

This position offers the opportunity to act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders across the industry, including CEOs, CMOs, and other Hepatology Therapeutic Area Heads. You will deliver bespoke, asset-centric solutions while shaping Hepatology drug development strategies across the full lifecycle.

The Role

This is a consultative and advisory role where you will serve as a key scientific partner to both external clients and internal teams. Often acting as the first technical point of contact, you will play a critical role in pre-sales activities, proposal strategy, and long-term partnership development within Hepatology.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic Hepatology drug development program design, delivering tailored, asset-focused solutions across liver diseases including MASLD/MASH, alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), cirrhosis, viral hepatitis, and other chronic and rare liver conditions like PBC, PSC, PFIC

• Own end-to-end protocol development, including design, scientific review, and evaluation for Hepatology clinical trials across Phases I–IV

• Partner directly with senior client stakeholders (e.g., CMO, TA Heads, Clinical Development leadership) to provide expert guidance on Hepatology development strategy and data interpretation

• Act as scientific and strategic lead in proposal development, study strategy, and bid defense activities within Hepatology

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Hepatology key opinion leaders (KOLs), advisory boards, and relevant regulatory authorities

• Contribute to the development of Hepatology-focused service offerings, supporting innovation and growth in liver disease drug development capabilities

• Provide training, mentorship, and thought leadership in Hepatology to internal teams and external partners

• Participate in portfolio reviews, governance discussions, and scientific oversight of Hepatology programs

• Support operational teams with high-level scientific input, including investigator meetings and Hepatology-specific study discussions

• Represent the organization at Hepatology congresses and scientific forums to promote clinical excellence and scientific leadership

What You Bring

• Deep, recognized expertise in Hepatology and liver disease drug development

• Strong understanding of Hepatology clinical trial design, biomarkers, endpoints (e.g., fibrosis staging, histologic and non-invasive markers), and evolving therapeutic landscapes (e.g., MASLD/MASH, alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), cirrhosis, immuno-Hepatology approaches and antiviral therapies)

• Proven ability to operate in a strategic, client-facing, consultative environment within pharmaceutical or clinical research settings

• Experience engaging and influencing senior scientific and clinical stakeholders across industry and academia

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex Hepatology data into clear, actionable development insights

• Collaborative, global mindset with strong cross-functional leadership capability

• MD required, ideally with specialization or substantial clinical/research experience in Hepatology

Additional Information

• 20- 40% travel (domestic and international)

• Opportunity to work in a highly visible, impact-driven role shaping the future of Hepatology drug development

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