Jobs Companies ICON plc Lead Business Operations Specialist

About this Lead Business Operations Specialist role at ICON plc

ICON plc · Onsite · UK, Reading
RBQM Lead

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.


Job title – Lead Business Operations Specialist
Job role - RBQM Lead

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and forward-thinking (Risk-Based Quality Management ) RBQM Lead to support the implementation and execution of proactive, risk-focused quality oversight across clinical studies. 

As an RBQM Lead, you will serve as a subject matter expert and change leader, ensuring risk-based principles are embedded throughout the clinical trial lifecycle—from study design through execution and governance. This global role will drive the implementation of study level RBQM strategies, standards, and initiatives to strengthen quality oversight and inspection readiness.

Key Responsibilities


RBQM Planning & Risk Assessment 


• Lead execution of Quality and Risk Management planning in alignment with study and program objectives. 
• Facilitate cross-functional workshops to identify and document Critical-to-Quality (CtQ) factors, critical data, and critical processes. 
• Coordinate and oversee initial and ongoing risk assessments, ensuring timely
identification of risks and implementation of mitigation strategies. 
• Ensure risk assessments, risk controls, and mitigation plans are complete,
actionable, and aligned with regulatory expectations. 

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Oversight 


• Partner with Clinical Operations, Data Management, Biostatistics, and other
stakeholders to review data flows, critical data pathways, and data review
requirements. 
• Provide input into Risk-Based Monitoring (RBM) strategies, including targeted
SDV/SDR approaches and reduced verification models. 
• Perform quality gate reviews of functional plans to confirm integration of risk
mitigation and monitoring strategies.

Ongoing Risk Management & Oversight 


• Lead and facilitate Risk Review Meetings (RRMs) and ensure comprehensive
documentation of risk evaluations and decisions. 
• Oversee ongoing risk surveillance to ensure monitoring strategies remain effective and aligned with study timelines and budgets. 
• Ensure risk review outputs provide meaningful insights, trend analysis, and
actionable recommendations. 
• Update risk assessments based on protocol amendments, emerging signals, or changes to critical data and processes. 

Governance & Quality  
• Support program-level and organizational RBQM governance and oversight
activities. 
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to enhance RBQM maturity and effectiveness across the organization. 

Qualifications & Experience 
• Comprehensive clinical research experience, collaborating with global teams within a matrixed organizational environment
 
• Significant experience in clinical research within one or more of the following areas: 
o Risk-Based Quality Management (RBQM) 
o Clinical Operations 
o Central Monitoring 
o Clinical Risk Management 
o Clinical Data Science 

Technical Expertise & Capability
 
• Strong knowledge of ICH E6 (R2/R3), ICH E8, and their application to RBQM. 
• Deep understanding of clinical trial processes, data flows, and risk-based
monitoring strategies. 
• Demonstrated expertise implementing RBQM methodologies for multiple projects.  
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders
globally. 
• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate regulatory expectations into operational practice. 
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and facilitation skills. 

Mindset & Behaviors 
• Proactive and solutions-oriented with a strong focus on quality and continuous
improvement. 
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, global environments. 
• Strong critical thinking and risk anticipation capabilities. 
• Passion for mentoring teams and strengthening RBQM capabilities across the
organization. 
• Commitment to fostering an inclusive and collaborative culture.
 


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

Ready to apply to ICON plc?
Apply to ICON plc

About ICON plc

ICON is an award-winning workplace that enables you to make a difference to patients’ lives by being part of a world-class clinical research organisation that helps deliver new medicines & medical devices that are benefitting patients worldwide. You are also part of a diverse company that cares about our world and is dedicated to conducting business more sustainably and supporting the communities in which we live. If you’re as driven as we are, join us. You’ll be working in a great environment, with some of the brightest and the friendliest people in the sector, and you’ll be helping shape an industry.

See all jobs at ICON plc →

Similar jobs

Sign up for suggestions tailored to the jobs you open and the searches you save.

More jobs at ICON plc

See all jobs at ICON plc →

Apply now
🤖

Whoa — hold up

JobsRadar was built for real people having a rough time in their job search — not for automated requests. You're clicking way too fast and you're now temporarily blocked.

Come back later. If you're genuinely job hunting, we've got your back — just act like a human.

Catch your next role the second it’s posted.

Create a free account and we’ll watch the boards for you — the instant a job matches your search, it lands in your inbox or Telegram. No digging, no refreshing.

Create free account

Free forever · takes 30 seconds · already have one?

Get an edge on your job hunt.

Join our Telegram channel for the stuff that helps you land the role — salary benchmarks, the weekly market pulse, and new-feature drops. No spam, just signal.

Join the channel — it's free