Account Development Manager

ICON Clinical Research; Reading; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave entitlements

Health insurance offerings

Retirement planning options

LifeWorks global EAP program

Life assurance

Country-specific benefits including my

Job summary

ICON is seeking an Account Development Manager in Reading to drive new business opportunities within the life sciences sector. You will partner with account executives and senior leaders to penetration plans, secure meetings with decision-makers, and nurture relationships across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device clients.

The role emphasizes growth, cross-functional collaboration, and exposure to global commercial leadership in a fast-paced healthcare environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in business development, inside sales, account development, lead generation, or a client-facing commercial role.
• Experience within clinical research, healthcare, life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or related industries is highly desirable.
• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Experience using CRM systems such as Salesforce or similar platforms.
• A proactive mindset with a passion for identifying and pursuing new opportunities.
• Additional language skills are highly valued.
• Preferably 1–2 years of CRO experience.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Account Executives and Business Development leaders to develop strategic account penetration plans.
• Generate new opportunities through proactive outreach to prospective and existing clients.
• Secure high-value meetings with key decision-makers across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device organizations.
• Build and nurture meaningful client relationships through consistent engagement and follow-up.
• Identify and qualify new business opportunities that align with ICON's capabilities and growth objectives.
• Maintain accurate and insightful customer intelligence within Salesforce CRM.
• Research target organizations, industry developments, and key stakeholders to support strategic growth initiatives.
• Support the development and execution of account-specific growth strategies.
• Generate interest and attendance for webinars, conferences, and industry events.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prepare for client engagements and commercial discussions.
• Monitor and report on key performance metrics including meetings, opportunities, RFPs, and account penetration.
• Represent ICON professionally during client interactions and industry events.
• Learn and articulate ICON's unique value proposition within the clinical research marketplace.
• Take ownership of quarterly objectives and consistently drive measurable commercial outcomes.

Skills

Communication skills

Presentation skills

Relationship-building

CRM experience

Proactive mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

Account Development Manager

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.

Are you currently working in clinical research and looking to transition into a commercial role where you can directly influence business growth and client partnerships? Or are you an ambitious business development professional eager to break into one of the world's most exciting and fast-growing industries?

At ICON, you'll have the opportunity to work at the forefront of healthcare innovation, helping pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device companies bring life-changing therapies to patients around the world.

As an Account Development Manager (ADM), you'll play a critical role in driving new business opportunities, building relationships with industry leaders, and developing the commercial skills needed for a successful long-term career in the Clinical Research Organization (CRO) industry. You'll collaborate closely with experienced Business Development Directors, Senior Leadership, and subject matter experts across ICON's global organization, gaining exposure that few early-career commercial roles can offer.

This is far more than a traditional sales development position. It's an opportunity to become a trusted partner to some of the world's leading healthcare organizations while accelerating your own professional growth in a purpose-driven industry.

Why Join ICON?

• Be part of a global organization shaping the future of healthcare

• Gain exposure to cutting-edge clinical research and drug development

• Receive mentorship from experienced commercial and operational leaders

• Work with some of the largest pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in the world

• Develop a clear path toward Business Development roles

• Join a collaborative, high-performing team that celebrates success and supports career growth

• Enjoy a fast-paced, international environment

What You'll Be Doing

As an ADM, you'll be responsible for identifying and developing new business opportunities while supporting ICON's continued growth across the life sciences industry.

You will:

• Partner closely with Account Executives and Business Development leaders to develop strategic account penetration plans

• Generate new opportunities through proactive outreach to prospective and existing clients

• Secure high-value meetings with key decision-makers across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device organizations

• Build and nurture meaningful client relationships through consistent engagement and follow-up

• Identify and qualify new business opportunities that align with ICON's capabilities and growth objectives

• Maintain accurate and insightful customer intelligence within Salesforce CRM

• Research target organizations, industry developments, and key stakeholders to support strategic growth initiatives

• Support the development and execution of account-specific growth strategies

• Generate interest and attendance for webinars, conferences, and industry events

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to prepare for client engagements and commercial discussions

• Monitor and report on key performance metrics including meetings, opportunities, RFPs, and account penetration

• Represent ICON professionally during client interactions and industry events

• Learn and articulate ICON's unique value proposition within the clinical research marketplace

• Take ownership of quarterly objectives and consistently drive measurable commercial outcomes

What We're Looking For

We're looking for driven, curious, and resilient individuals who enjoy building relationships, creating opportunities, and making a meaningful impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

• Experience in business development, inside sales, account development, lead generation, or a client-facing commercial role

• Experience within clinical research, healthcare, life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or related industries is highly desirable

• Strong communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

• Experience using CRM systems such as Salesforce or similar platforms

• A proactive mindset with a passion for identifying and pursuing new opportunities

• Additional language skills are highly valued

• Preferably 1-2 years of CRO experience

The Ideal Candidate

You are naturally curious, commercially minded, and energized by connecting with people. You enjoy uncovering opportunities, building relationships, and helping clients solve complex challenges. Most importantly, you're motivated by the opportunity to build a rewarding career in one of the world's most impactful industries.

If you're looking for a role that combines career growth, business development, healthcare innovation, and global exposure , we'd love to hear from you.

Join ICON and help accelerate the development of life-changing therapies for patients worldwide.

#LI-CL1

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 (https://careers.iconplc.com/benefits) 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 (https://careers.iconplc.com/reasonable-accommodations)