Vendor Start up Manager (eCOA)
ICON plc · Reading
VSM - eCOAAt 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.
Job title - Vendor Start up Manager (eCOA) - 6 month assignment
Location - open to Eastern EU, Western EU, Bulgaria, Poland, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and the UK
Fully sponsor dedicated
Working fully embedded within an ever growing program, the Vendor Start up Manager (eCOA) is responsible to provide technical expertise for a given category during study startup to the VPM Vendor Program Manager and indirectly to the study start-up team.
What You Will Do:
- Review vendor and category-specific protocol requirements, ensuring supplier expertise is incorporated into final study specifications.
- Support the development of Study Specification Worksheets (SSWs) to aid vendor selection and the bid process.
- Partner with Procurement and vendors to evaluate proposals and quotations, providing support during contract discussions when required.
- Assess and validate vendor budgets against final project scope and quotations.
- Organise vendor kick-off meetings and facilitate ongoing vendor governance discussions throughout the study lifecycle.
- Coordinate the collection and submission of vendor documentation required for regulatory authority submissions across participating countries.
- Lead User Acceptance Testing (UAT) activities for systems such as eCOA and IRT to ensure readiness for study implementation.
- Ensure protocol amendments and study design changes are effectively communicated to vendors and reflected in budgets, timelines, and service agreements.
- Drive efficient study start-up activities to support timely vendor database deployment and operational readiness.
- Oversee vendor performance at the study level, ensuring delivery meets agreed quality standards, timelines, and service expectations.
- Identify and manage vendor-related risks, developing mitigation and contingency plans to minimise study impact.
- Monitor vendor performance issues, implementing corrective actions and escalating concerns where appropriate.
- Conduct root-cause analysis of supplier performance challenges and identify trends to support continuous improvement.
- Contribute to the implementation of vendor management processes, templates, tools, and best practices across study start-up activities.
Your Profile:
Education (Minimum/Preferred):
- Advanced degree in a scientific, life sciences, or business-related discipline, or equivalent industry experience.
Languages:
- Fluent in written and spoken English.
Experience/Professional Requirements:
- 3+ years of experience within clinical operations, with strong expertise in vendor management and oversight.
- Solid understanding of GxP, ICH-GCP, and applicable regulatory requirements.
- In-depth knowledge of clinical trial design and the translation of study requirements into vendor deliverables.
- Strong understanding of supplier-provided clinical services and associated operational specifications.
- Demonstrated experience managing vendor relationships and collaborating with external service providers.
- Proven ability to build effective partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience leading or supporting User Acceptance Testing (UAT), particularly for eCOA and IRT platforms.
- Understanding of key study start-up milestones, vendor readiness activities, and critical path deliverables.
- Experience supporting outsourcing, vendor selection, contracting, and procurement processes, including RFPs and RFQs.
- Expertise in one or more clinical vendor categories, such as Central Laboratories, eCOA/ePRO, IRT, Imaging, Cardiac and Respiratory Diagnostics, or Patient Recruitment and Retention (PR&R).
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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