Training Specialist
ICON plc
Summary
We are seeking an experienced Commercial Excellence Training Specialist to design, deliver and continuously evolve ICON's commercial training and capability programs. This role is intentionally broad in scope: rather than owning a single fixed curriculum, the successful candidate will build and flex a portfolio of enablement initiatives – spanning bid defense excellence, onboarding, continuous coaching and capability development – in line with ICON's changing commercial priorities.
Job description
About the role
We are seeking an experienced Commercial Excellence Training Specialist to design, deliver and continuously evolve ICON's commercial training and capability programs. This role is intentionally broad in scope: rather than owning a single fixed curriculum, the successful candidate will build and flex a portfolio of enablement initiatives – spanning bid defense excellence, onboarding, continuous coaching and capability development – in line with ICON's changing commercial priorities.
The role establishes a consistent, high-performing approach to commercial capability building, equipping Business Development, Operations, Therapeutic Experts and senior stakeholders to perform at their best across client-facing moments that matter. Working closely with Business Development, Clinical Operations, Proposals, Therapeutic Experts, Learning & Development and senior leadership, the role owner will maintain best-practice methodologies, training content and performance improvement frameworks, and will be expected to take on new initiatives as ICON's commercial enablement agenda develops.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement and maintain standardised, end-to-end methodologies for priority commercial capability programmes, starting with bid defence excellence and expanding to other initiatives as agreed with leadership.
- Establish frameworks for strategy, preparation, delivery and post-activity evaluation that can be adapted across multiple training initiatives, not limited to a single programme.
- Develop and maintain playbooks, training resources, preparation tools, presentation guidelines and templates that can be reused and re-purposed across initiatives.
- Partner with commercial and operational leaders to keep methodologies aligned with client expectations, organisational capabilities and evolving business priorities.
- Drive adoption of best practice across business units, therapeutic areas and regions.
Your Profile - Essential
- Significant experience in Commercial Excellence, Sales Enablement, Learning & Development, Business Development or a related function.
- Experience designing and delivering training for cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders.
- Experience implementing standardized methodologies, competency frameworks and improvement initiatives.
- Strong understanding of the clinical research industry and CRO business development lifecycle, including proposals and bid defenses.
- Demonstrated ability to work across multiple concurrent initiatives and adapt quickly to shifting priorities.
- Excellent facilitation, presentation, coaching, communication and stakeholder-influence skills.
- Strong project management and analytical skills; experience in a global or matrixed organization.
Your Profile - Desirable
- Previous experience in a CRO, pharmaceutical, biotechnology or clinical research organization.
- Direct experience supporting or participating in client bid defenses.
- Knowledge of clinical trial operations, study delivery and therapeutic strategy.
- Experience establishing commercial training programs, centers of excellence, or enablement platforms.
- Experience with AI-enabled coaching tools, digital/interactive learning design, or sales enablement technology (e.g. Seismic or similar).
- Relevant qualification in Learning & Development, instructional design, organizational development or business.
Requirements
- Significant experience in Commercial Excellence, Sales Enablement, Learning & Development, Business Development or a related function
- Experience designing and delivering training for cross-functional teams and senior stakeholders
- Experience implementing standardized methodologies, competency frameworks and improvement initiatives
- Strong understanding of the clinical research industry and CRO business development lifecycle, including proposals and bid defenses
- Demonstrated ability to work across multiple concurrent initiatives and adapt quickly to shifting priorities
- Excellent facilitation, presentation, coaching, communication and stakeholder-influence skills
- Strong project management and analytical skills
- Experience in a global or matrixed organization
- Previous experience in a CRO, pharmaceutical, biotechnology or clinical research organization
- Direct experience supporting or participating in client bid defenses
- Knowledge of clinical trial operations, study delivery and therapeutic strategy
- Experience establishing commercial training programs, centers of excellence, or enablement platforms
- Experience with AI-enabled coaching tools, digital/interactive learning design, or sales enablement technology (e.g. Seismic or similar)
- Relevant qualification in Learning & Development, instructional design, organizational development or business
Benefits
- Competitive Base Salary
- Performance-Related Incentives
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Retirement and Pension Plans
- Life Assurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Programs
- Wellbeing Resources
- Learning and Development Opportunities
Company overview
ICON plc is a global leader in clinical research and healthcare intelligence, founded in Dublin, Ireland in 1990. As one of the world's largest contract research organizations (CROs), ICON provides comprehensive outsourced development services to pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies worldwide. The company operates in 55 countries with approximately 41,900 employees, offering end-to-end solutions that span the entire product development lifecycle. ICON's service portfolio includes clinical research services, adaptive trials, biosimilars, commercialization and outcomes consulting, medical imaging, laboratory services, and strategic support for traditional and digital health technologies. The company specializes in therapeutic areas such as oncology, cardiovascular diseases, central nervous system disorders, rare diseases, and women's health. With its 2021 acquisition of PRA Health Sciences, ICON significantly expanded its capabilities and market position, becoming a dominant force in the global CRO industry. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker ICLR and reported $8.28 billion in revenue for 2024.