Senior Director, Clinical Operations - Early Phase - Site Head

Site Head (Early Phase) - Lenexa, KS - Onsite

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 Senior Director, Clinical Operations (Site Head) to join our diverse and dynamic Lenexa-based team. As the Site Head, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the planning, execution, and management of Phase 1 clinical trials, ensuring operational excellence and adherence to regulatory standards. You will contribute to the success of our clinical programs by providing strategic leadership, optimizing operational processes, and ensuring the highest quality of trial execution.

What you will be doing

Lead site-level strategy and execution at the Lenexa location, with accountability for resourcing, line management, training, quality, and operational delivery.

Oversee and optimize all Study Start Up and Clinical Monitoring activities to ensure rapid activation, regulatory compliance, and strong performance metrics.

Manage site-level budget and provide financial oversight for clinical and study start-up functions, driving both productivity and quality.

Serve as the senior liaison with the VP of Global Clinical Operations for critical issues, client deliverables, and business development opportunities.

Represent ICON at executive-level meetings, client steering committees, and bid defenses, promoting the site’s capabilities and contributing to growth strategy.

Foster a culture of high performance, innovation, and continuous improvement aligned with ICON’s core values.

Support business development and client relationship efforts, ensuring excellent customer satisfaction and regional market success.

Your Profile

Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., Medicine, Life Sciences, Pharmacology)

Extensive experience in Early Phase clinical research and development, with a proven track record of success in leading clinical trials

Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders

In-depth knowledge of regulatory requirements and guidelines governing clinical research

Ability to travel up to 10%

Ability to be in the Lenexa, KS, location daily

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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, LifeWorks, offering 24-hour access to a global network of over 80,000 independent specialized 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, subsidized 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