Director, Account Management – Partnership Build & Optimization

Director Account Management - Partnership Build & Optimization - Remote in US, CAN, UK, or IRE

ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and clinical research organisation united by a mission to bring new medicines and treatments to patients faster.

As a values-driven organisation, integrity, collaboration, agility, and inclusion are at the heart of how we work and interact with each other, customers, patients and suppliers.

Director, Account Management – Partnership Build & Optimization

Position Summary

The Director, Account Management within the Strategic Partnership & Integration Solutions Team serves as a partnership build methodology expert and drives all aspects of partnership infrastructure creation and optimization. Collaborating with other key ICON and externally facing partnership leaders, this role engages early in the process to directly understand partnership needs, offers best practice recommendations, and negotiates and designs fit-for-purpose partnership build plans.  This role drives partnership implementation activities, ensuring that partnership infrastructure, governance, processes, technology, and stakeholder requirements are established effectively and delivered on time and to a high standard of quality.

This role ensures successful partnership launch, sustainability, and ongoing optimization.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Early Engagement Activities

- Contribute to RFIs / RFPs with partnership content
- Contribute to partnership level bid defenses
- Engage with key partnership level internal and external leaders to understand partnership needs in order to develop a fit-for-purpose infrastructure
- Work with the partnership Commercial Lead and Partnership Relationship Lead to ensure opportunities for all ICON services are highlighted for the partnership

Partnership Build & Optimization

- Develop comprehensive partnership build and optimization plans tailored to the needs of each strategic partnership
- Define workstreams, milestones, dependencies, deliverables, timelines, and success measures.
- Establish governance structures, stakeholder engagement maps and plans, communication frameworks, and operational processes required for partnership success.
- Continuously evaluate partnership performance and identify opportunities for optimization and efficiency improvements

Build Execution & Delivery

- Lead the implementation of partnership build and optimization plans from initiation through completion.
- Drive timely completion of all build activities while maintaining high standards of quality and compliance.
- Monitor progress against agreed milestones, proactively identifying risks, issues, and mitigation strategies.
- Ensure all partnership deliverables are completed, documented, and transitioned effectively into business-as-usual operations.

Stakeholder & Client Engagement

- Serve as a primary point of contact for partnership build and optimization activities.
- Build and maintain strong working relationships with sponsors, and internal cross-functional stakeholders and key partnership leaders.
- Facilitate effective decision-making through clear communication, issue resolution, and escalation management.
- Provide regular status updates, executive-level reporting, and progress communications to stakeholders.

Partnership Kick-Off & Logistics Management

- Design, propose, and facilitate Partnership Build Kick-Off Meetings.
- Define meeting objectives, agendas, and expected outcomes to ensure successful partnership mobilization.
- Oversee build logistics, including stakeholder participation, meeting schedules, communications, documentation, and action tracking.
- Oversee support activities and ensure effective coordination of administrative and operational tasks.

Partnership Framework / Infrastructure

- Ensure alignment between client expectations and internal delivery teams
- Deliver and effectively roll out a customized, sustainable partnership framework
- Ensure maintenance of the built infrastructure through appropriate transitions and guidance materials
- Maintain periodic follow up with partnership leaders following build transitions to ensure optimization
- Re-engage as needed for partnership optimization activities

Continuous Improvement & Best Practices

- Design partnership level health assessments, analyze results, and provide guidance on action plans
- Apply established partnership methodologies, tools, templates, and best practices across engagements.
- Capture partnership level lessons learned and incorporate continuous improvement opportunities into future partnership builds.
- Contribute to the development and enhancement of SPIS partnership frameworks, standards, and operating models.
- Support the advancement of scalable partnership management capabilities across the organisation.

Required Qualifications & Experience

- Bachelor's degree
- Minimum of 5 years’ experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives, partnership implementations, program delivery, or operational transformation efforts.
- Minimum of 5 years’ direct Operational experience – broad working experience of operational processes involved working directly with clients in a portfolio / partnership leadership environment.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, stakeholders, and deadlines simultaneously.
- Strong project planning, organization, and execution skills.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, presentation, and stakeholder management abilities.
- Experience driving initiatives through influence rather than direct authority.
- Demonstrated ability to identify risks, solve problems, and deliver results in dynamic environments.

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Employment with ICON is contingent upon having the legal right to work in the country where the role is based.

Rewards & Benefits

ICON offers a competitive and comprehensive total rewards package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and career development.

Benefits may include:

- Competitive base salary and performance related incentives
- Health and wellbeing programmes including medical, dental, and vision coverage where applicable
- Retirement and pension plans
- Life assurance and disability coverage
- Employee assistance programmes and wellbeing resources
- Learning and development opportunities through structured training and career pathways

Benefits may vary depending on role and location.

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

Inclusion and Accessibility

ICON is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building an inclusive and accessible workplace where everyone feels valued and supported.

If you require reasonable accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know or submit a request  here .

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