Manager, R&D Business Operations

At ICON Strategic Solutions, you will work in a sponsor-dedicated model, supported by ICON’s global expertise.

As the world’s largest FSP organisation, with over 90 sponsor partnerships, we offer stability, career development and a collaborative environment where your work contributes to the development of treatments that benefit patients worldwide.

The Manager, R&D Business Operations provides operational and analytical support to R&D business functions, with primary responsibility for the creation, generation, and management of purchase orders following contract execution

What You Will Do:

The Manager works independently in managing purchase order workflows and system processes, operating with moderate autonomy while escalating complex financial, compliance, or risk-related matters as appropriate.

Key responsibilities include:

• Create, generate, and manage purchase orders in Ariba/SAP following full contract execution, ensuring alignment with contract terms, budgets, and approved scopes of work in compliance with company policies and service level standard turnaround times.
• Translate contractual payment terms, milestones, and fee structures into accurate and compliant purchase order structures.
• Review executed agreements to ensure proper financial setup, including funding allocations, payment schedules, and budget tracking.
• Process and manage change orders, PO amendments, closures, and funding adjustments in accordance with contract modifications.
• Partner with R&D, Finance, and Strategic Sourcing to ensure timely PO issuance and resolution of system or budget discrepancies.
• Monitor purchase order lifecycle activities, including invoice matching, goods receipt confirmations, accrual support, and PO reconciliation.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial controls, delegation of authority policies, and procurement procedures prior to PO release.
• Serve as system subject matter expert (SME) for Ariba/SAP purchase order workflows and provide guidance to internal stakeholders.
• Train business partners on purchase requisition and PO processes, including proper documentation and system requirements.
• Facilitate weekly or monthly operational status meetings related to PO issuance, budget tracking, and financial metrics as appropriate.
• Generate reports and dashboards to track PO cycle times, open commitments, spend against budget, and operational KPIs.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including accrual validation and financial reconciliation.

Your Profile:

Required qualifications and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in pharmaceutical/biotech business operations, procurement operations, finance operations, or contract-to-PO management.
• Demonstrated experience creating and managing purchase orders within enterprise systems (e.g., SAP, Ariba).
• Strong understanding of procure-to-pay (P2P) processes, including requisitioning, PO generation, invoice matching, and accruals.
• Experience working cross-functionally with R&D, Finance, Strategic Sourcing, Legal, and Accounts Payable.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret contract financial terms and translate them into operational system requirements.
• Working knowledge of pharmaceutical/biotech regulatory and compliance considerations impacting vendor payments and financial controls.
• Ability to identify financial discrepancies or operational risks and escalate appropriately.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple purchase orders, vendors, and deadlines simultaneously.

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.

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