Vendor Start up Manager (eCOA)

• Location: UK, Reading
• VSM - eCOA
• 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.
• 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.
• Are you a current ICON Employee? Please click here to apply