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Senior Director, Therapeutic Area

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Deep expertise in oncology drug development (solid tumors and/or hematologic malignancies)
  • Strong understanding of oncology clinical trial design, endpoints, and evolving treatment landscapes (e.g., immuno-oncology, targeted therapies)
  • Proven ability to operate in a strategic, client-facing, and consultative environment
  • MD or PhD required

Requirements:

  • Lead strategic oncology drug development program design, delivering tailored, asset-focused solutions across solid tumors and/or hematologic malignancies
  • Own protocol development, including design, review, and evaluation for oncology clinical trials
  • Partner directly with senior client stakeholders to provide expert guidance on oncology data interpretation and development strategy
  • Act as the scientific and strategic lead in proposal development and bid defense activities

Job description

Sr Director Therapeutic Area (Oncology)- Blue Bell, PA- Remote

ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. We’re proud to foster an inclusive environment driving innovation and excellence, and we welcome you to join us on our mission to shape the future of clinical development

Senior Director, Drug Development & Consulting – Oncology

At ICON plc, we are driven by a commitment to People, Clients, and Performance. We are seeking a strategic Oncology 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 Oncology Therapeutic Area Heads. You will deliver bespoke, asset-centric solutions while shaping oncology 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 oncology.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead strategic oncology drug development program design, delivering tailored, asset-focused solutions across solid tumors and/or hematologic malignancies

  • Own protocol development, including design, review, and evaluation for oncology clinical trials

  • Partner directly with senior client stakeholders to provide expert guidance on oncology data interpretation and development strategy

  • Act as the scientific and strategic lead in proposal development and bid defense activities

  • Build and maintain relationships with oncology key opinion leaders, advisory boards, and regulatory bodies

  • Contribute to the development of new oncology-focused service offerings and support growth in this therapeutic area

  • Provide training, mentorship, and thought leadership in oncology to internal teams and external clients

  • Participate in portfolio reviews, governance activities, and project oversight as needed

  • Support operational teams with scientific input, including investigator meetings and oncology-specific project discussions

  • Represent ICON at oncology congresses and scientific meetings to promote clinical and scientific excellence

What You Bring

  • Deep expertise in oncology drug development (solid tumors and/or hematologic malignancies)

  • Strong understanding of oncology clinical trial design, endpoints, and evolving treatment landscapes (e.g., immuno-oncology, targeted therapies)

  • Proven ability to operate in a strategic, client-facing, and consultative environment

  • Experience engaging with senior stakeholders and influencing decision-making

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

  • A collaborative mindset with the ability to work cross-functionally in a global environment

  • MD or PhD required.

Additional Information

  • Approximately 30-40% travel (domestic and international)

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

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What ICON can offer you:

Our success depends on the quality of our people. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to build a diverse culture that rewards high performance and nurtures talent.

In addition to your competitive salary, ICON offers a range of additional benefits. Our benefits are designed to be competitive within each country and are focused on well-being and work life balance opportunities for you and your family.

Our benefits examples include:

  • Various annual leave entitlements

  • A range of health insurance offerings to suit you and your family’s needs.

  • Competitive retirement planning offerings to maximize savings and plan with confidence for the years ahead.

  • Global Employee Assistance Programme, TELUS Health, offering 24-hour access to a global network of over 80,000 independent specialised professionals who are there to support you and your family’s well-being.

  • Life assurance

  • Flexible country-specific optional benefits, including childcare vouchers, bike purchase schemes, discounted gym memberships, subsidised travel passes, health assessments, among others.

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

At ICON, inclusion & belonging are fundamental to our culture and values.   We’re dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all candidates. ICON is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please let us know or submit a request here.

Interested in the role, but unsure if you meet all of the requirements? We would encourage you to apply regardless – there’s every chance you’re exactly what we’re looking for here at ICON whether it is for this or other roles.

Are you a current ICON Employee? Please click here to apply

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