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
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.
We are currently seeking a Director, FSA Data Science (Feasibility Site Activation) to drive advanced analytics and business transformation across ICON’s Feasibility, Study Start-up and Activation (FSA) teams. In this role, you will lead the design and delivery of advanced analytics and data science capabilities that support clinical trial feasibility, protocol optimization, study planning, country and site strategy, enrollment forecasting, and related decision support across the clinical development lifecycle. Partnering with cross-functional leaders, you will translate complex clinical and operational questions into scalable analytical solutions, reusable methods, and decision-ready insights. This position also involves leading a high-performing team, shaping analytical standards and governance, and advancing a modern, technology-enabled approach to study planning and feasibility.
What you will be doing
Leading and inspiring a data science team to deliver actionable insights that improve performance, quantify value, and enable smarter decisions.
Building a strategic analytics roadmap and deliver high-impact solutions—forecasting, risk prediction, scenario planning, and optimization to improve cycle time and outcomes.
Establishing best practices for analytics delivery, governance, and model lifecycle management to support scalable and reliable insights.
Improving data foundations by collaborating with platform and data teams—strengthening data quality, access, definitions, and automation.
Partnering with functional leaders to define problems, shape solutions, and embed insights into day-to-day decision-making and operational processes.
Communicating with clarity and influence—turning complex analysis into compelling narratives and recommendations leadership and sponsors.
Your profile
Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Epidemiology, Operations Research, Biomedical Informatics, Engineering, or a related field.
Advanced degree preferred, preferably Master’s or PhD in a quantitative, computational, or health-related discipline.
Significant experience in data science, advanced analytics, biostatistics, or quantitative strategy within CRO, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, or clinical research settings.
Track record of delivering advanced analytics solutions that changed business performance, ideally in complex operational environments.
Experience leading teams and developing talent; comfortable coaching, setting direction, and building a high-performing culture.
Strong knowledge of statistical analysis, predictive modeling, machine learning, simulation, optimization, and data interpretation.
Proficiency in relevant analytical and programming tools such as Python, R, SQL, and related platforms.
Confident stakeholder partner with exceptional communication skills and the ability to influence across functions and levels.
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
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Statistics, Biostatistics, Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics, Epidemiology, Operations Research, Biomedical Informatics, Engineering, or related field
- Advanced degree preferred, ideally Master's or PhD in a quantitative or health-related discipline
- Significant experience in data science, advanced analytics, or biostatistics in relevant settings
- Experience leading teams and developing talent
- Strong knowledge of statistical analysis, predictive modeling, machine learning, and optimization
- Proficiency in programming tools such as Python, R, and SQL
ICON plc Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about ICON plc and has not been reviewed or approved by ICON plc.
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Healthcare Strength — Benefits are described as comprehensive, with medical coverage and wellness initiatives highlighted. Larger sites are also associated with added wellness supports such as onsite fitness options and access to an employee assistance program.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off and flexibility provisions are positioned as a meaningful part of the total package, including vacation/annual leave and flexible work scheduling. Flexibility is sometimes cited as helping offset long hours in certain roles.
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Retirement Support — Retirement and savings support is presented as a core component of the benefits package, including offerings such as pension arrangements in some locations and a U.S. 401(k) plan with company match. Financial planning resources are also emphasized as part of broader security benefits.
ICON plc Insights
What We Do
Since our foundation in Dublin, Ireland in 1990, our mission has been to help our clients to accelerate the development of drugs and devices that save lives and improve quality of life. We do this by delivering best in class information, solutions and performance, with an unyielding focus on quality at all times. We offer a full range of consulting, development and commercialisation services from a global network of offices in 53 countries. We focus our innovation on the factors that are critical to our clients – reducing time to market, reducing cost, and increasing quality – and our global team of experts has extensive experience in a broad range of therapeutic areas.
