Clinical Research Lead (site engagement) - Illinois/Michigan

Clinical Research Lead (Site Engagement)

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

What you will be doing

• Clinical Investigator Management

• Accountable for the full spectrum of investigator engagement from identification and qualification through enrollment, and support database lock, and study closeout
• Serve as a clinical trial scientific ambassador, ensuring investigators deeply understand protocol intent, scientific rationale, and patient eligibility requirements
• Develop and sustain strategic, high-trust relationships with investigators that span trials and therapeutic areas
• Influence enrollment by co-creating tailored recruitment strategies aligned with site capabilities, patient population realities, and study objectives
• Proactively find opportunities to reach new patients, accelerate enrollment and increase impact at priority sites, including for example, novel site models, community-based research initiatives etc
• Capture and elevate critical insights from sites to optimize feasibility, protocol design, and study conduct

• Clinical Trial Management

• Lead site-level strategy and risk planning to ensure strong and predictable enrollment and data delivery
• Leverage performance metrics to anticipate issues, intervene decisively, and maintain momentum toward clinical milestones
• Drive inspection readiness as a continuous discipline across sites
• Collaborate across functions and with vendor partners to resolve operational barriers, ensuring delivery with speed and quality
• Maintain advanced understanding of local treatment paradigms and standard of care to influence strategic country/site selection and protocol localization
• Provide oversight and quality assurance for vendor monitoring, escalating risks proactively
• Where applicable, lead end-to-end management of Post-Marketing Safety Studies in compliance with local regulations

• Business Management and Engagement

• Cultivate a portfolio of strategically aligned, high-impact investigators who consistently prioritize sponsor trials
• Enable an exceptional investigator experience by being a responsive, knowledgeable, and valued scientific partner
• Collaborate cross-functionally (e.g., Medical, Clinical, Study Delivery) to align on trial and site priorities, troubleshooting challenges with urgency and creativity
• Conduct data-informed site prospecting and prioritization, contributing to trial competitiveness and regional strategic execution
• Maintain scientific fluency and therapeutic expertise to lead meaningful, solutions-focused discussions with site personnel
• Act as a key liaison between field teams, vendors, and investigators, ensuring alignment, shared purpose, and continuous knowledge transfer
• Partner closely with field team colleagues to elevate the investigator and site experience, ensuring seamless collaboration and improving enrollment outcomes and Investigator relationships

• Country / Regulatory Engagement (where applicable)

• Represent Investigator Engagement with regulatory agencies, ethics committees, and national research organizations in countries/territory
• Influence the clinical trial ecosystem to improve regulatory agility and operational feasibility
• Ensure that local requirements are translated into compliant, efficient trial execution and that sponsor’s internal processes reflect evolving country landscapes
• Partner with leadership to identify and align regional initiatives and contribute to enterprise-wide clinical development success

Your profile

• Minimum Qualification Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; strong preference for scientific, clinical, or health-related fields
• Minimum 5 years of experience in clinical research or pharmaceutical industry with experience directly interacting with or working with HCPs and clinical sites
• Minimum 2 years of relevant clinical or therapeutic area experience in cardiovascular or metabolic disease

• Other Information/Additional Preferences:

• Advanced degree in a scientific or clinical field
• Excellent understanding of GCP, clinical development and operations, and trial lifecycle
• Demonstrated understanding of the therapeutic landscape and standards of care, with the ability to apply this knowledge to decision making
• Proven ability to build credibility and influence HCP community through scientific acumen and relationship strength
• Strategic approach with demonstrated success in delivering results in complex, fast-paced environments
• Data-driven decision-making skills; ability to interpret and act on performance and operational metrics
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills
• Deep therapeutic area knowledge and familiarity with local clinical research ecosystems
• Experience directly influencing clinical site performance and driving enrollment success
• Track record of delivering or exceeding performance targets in a collaborative matrix environment
• Experience working with regulators or national bodies in support of clinical trial delivery
• English fluency and proficiency in local language(s) as needed

• Travel Requirements:

• Ideal location: Illinois or Michigan, but may consider surrounding states

What ICON can offer you:

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.

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