JUMP TO CONTENT
Shortlist
search jobs Search
ICON Plc Dublin reception

ICON Careers Spotlight: Chris Maguire, Director of Finance Business Partnering

Posting date: 15/10/2025
Author: Inside ICON
Join our Talent Community

Chris Maguire’s Journey at ICON

Over the past eight years at ICON, Chris Maguire has held six roles within the finance function, each expanding his expertise and sharpening his ability to support global operations.

Now Director of Finance Business Partnering for ICON Pharma Solutions, Chris credits ICON’s culture of growth, collaboration, and trust for his development. Being based at HQ has offered him valuable exposure to senior leadership, including the SVP of Finance and the C-suite, deepening his strategic insight.

Working within a global organisation of 41,000+ employees has also broadened his perspective and reinforced the impact finance can have at scale. Chris’s journey reflects the power of continuous learning and strong partnerships at every step.

Joining ICON: A Focus on Growth and Opportunity

When Chris joined ICON in 2016, he was looking for more than just a new role. He wanted a place where he could develop his skills, take on new challenges and work alongside leaders who would invest in his growth.

At the time, he was already working in finance within the banking sector. But ICON stood out. “Everyone was talking about it,” he says. “It had a reputation for strong leadership, a bright future and real opportunities for career progression.”

That promise held true from day one. From his first role in FBP (Finance business Partnering), he was embedded with operational teams, working closely on pricing, contracts and resourcing. “It wasn’t just about reporting numbers,” he explains. “It was about understanding the business, building relationships and adding value where it matters.”

Over the years, those relationships have become central to his role. “Finance isn’t seen as a back office function here. We’re part of the conversation. We’re expected to know the strategy, anticipate needs and help shape decisions.”

Six Roles in Eight Years: Learning Through Experience

In eight years, Chris has worked across multiple business units before moving into his current leadership position in the ICON Pharma Solutions Finance Business Partnering team.

Each move was an opportunity to learn something new. “I’ve worked on pricing for business opportunities, supported contract negotiations, built forecasts and partnered with operations on resource planning. Every role has given me a deeper understanding of how the business works.”

One project stands out in particular: supporting a major award win during his time in docs. “We were working late nights with the Operations Lead trying to figure out resourcing, timelines and when the work would actually start. It was high pressure, but also high reward.”

That experience touched every part of the process; from legal terms and financial impact to forecasting and hiring plans. “It showed me how interconnected everything is. You can’t do this work in isolation. You need to know what operations is doing, what Business Devlopment is pitching and what HR is planning. Only then can you give accurate, timely insight.”

What it Means to Be a Finance Business Partner

For Chris, financial business partnering is about being a trusted advisor to the business. “We sit between operations and the wider finance function,” he explains. “Our job is to take operational data and turn it into clear, actionable financial insights. Then we present that back to the business so leaders can make informed decisions.”

He works closely with senior leaders, providing monthly forecasts, budget analysis and variance reports. “It’s not just about telling them what happened - it’s about explaining why it happened and what it means for the future.”

Success comes from consistency and alignment. “If someone asks how many open roles they have, they should receive the same answer from HR, talent acquisition and us in finance. That only happens through clear communication and strong relationships.”

Those relationships are built over time. “You earn trust by being reliable, by showing up, by knowing your stuff. When a leader knows they can pick up the phone and get a straight answer, that’s when you become a true partner.”

The Business Impact of Financial Business Partnering

The financial business partnering team plays a critical role in ensuring operational and financial alignment across IPH. By working hand in hand with operations, business development and HR, the team helps translate strategic goals into measurable financial plans.

They also collaborate with contracts, GL, revenue and project finance teams to maintain data integrity across systems.

By streamlining processes and identifying efficiency gains such as reducing manual reporting hours, the team frees up capacity for more strategic work. This enables proactive margin protection, expansion planning and better long term decision making across the business.

Ultimately, their impact is felt in the clarity, consistency and confidence with which the business operates.

Collaboration Across Functions

While his focus is on operations, Chris’s work connects him to almost every part of the business.

“We work closely with business development to model potential awards and revenue impact. If Business Development wins a big study, we need to understand the scale, the timeline and what it means for resourcing.

He also partners with contracts, GL, revenue and project finance teams. “There’s a lot of cross functional sharing.

This collaborative approach is built into ICON’s culture. “It’s not siloed. People are open, willing to help and genuinely interested in working together. Whether it’s a quick call or a formal meeting, the door is always open.”

Growth Through Support

Chris credits much of his development to the leaders and mentors he’s worked with. “I’ve had line managers who pushed me, challenged my thinking and gave me room to grow. They didn’t just tell me what to do - they asked questions that made me think deeper.”

He also values the coaching and feedback he’s received. “I remember working on how to present complex information clearly. What are the three key points you want people to leave the room with? How do you get that across quickly? That kind of coaching has stayed with me.”

For anyone early in their finance career, his advice is simple: “Look for opportunities to stretch yourself. Don’t wait for them to come to you. Volunteer for projects, ask to sit in on meetings, build relationships outside your immediate team.”

And if you’re aiming for leadership? “Be visible, be consistent and focus on building trust. It’s not about having all the answers: it’s about being someone others can rely on.”

Why ICON?

For Chris, staying at ICON for over eight years hasn’t been about climbing a ladder. It’s about being part of a company that invests in its people.

“There’s real opportunity here,” he says. “Whether you’re in finance, operations, HR or another function, if you want to grow, ICON will support you. There are training programmes, mentoring, stretch assignments - everything you need to build a career.”

He also values being part of an Irish headquartered PLC with a global footprint. “Being based in Dublin gives us access to leadership, strategic discussions and decision making. You’re not several layers removed - you’re close to the action.”

And while the company has grown significantly, the culture remains personal. “People still say hello in the hallway. Teams organise events. There’s a sense of community which goes beyond it being just a job.

If you're interested in joining ICON, explore our current Accounting & Finance vacancies today.

List #1

Related jobs at ICON

Start Up Manager

Salary

Location

Argentina, Buenos Aires

Location

Buenos Aires

Remote Working

Remote

Business Area

ICON Strategic Solutions

Job Categories

Study Start Up

Job Type

Permanent

Description

We are currently seeking a Manager, Study Start-Up to join our diverse and dynamic team. As a Manager of Study Start-Up at ICON, you will lead and oversee the start-up activities for clinical trials,

Reference

JR138766

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Tulio Sanquiz

Author

Tulio Sanquiz
Tulio Sanquiz

Author

Tulio Sanquiz
Read more Shortlist Save this role
Read more Shortlist Save this role
Global Study Manager (hematology/oncology)

Salary

Location

Canada, Burlington

Location

Burlington

Remote Working

Remote

Business Area

ICON Strategic Solutions

Job Categories

Clinical Trial Management

Job Type

Permanent

Description

What you will be doing: • Contribute to the development of study documents as appropriate as well as any updates/amendments, ensuring template and version compliance. • Lead the preparation of country

Reference

JR138890

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Jonathan Holmes

Author

Jonathan Holmes
Jonathan Holmes

Author

Jonathan Holmes
Read more Shortlist Save this role
Read more Shortlist Save this role
Senior Clinical Supply Associate

Salary

Location

Regional United States (PRA)

Location

Multiple US Locations

Remote Working

Office Based

Business Area

ICON Strategic Solutions

Job Categories

Logistics & Supplies

Job Type

Permanent

Description

We are currently seeking a Senior Clinical Supply Associate to join our diverse and dynamic team. As a Senior Clinical Supply Associate at ICON, you will play a crucial role in managing and overseeing

Reference

JR138975

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Brandon Pupek

Author

Brandon Pupek
Brandon Pupek

Author

Brandon Pupek
Read more Shortlist Save this role
Read more Shortlist Save this role
Local Trial Manager - Oncology - Home Based (Canada)

Salary

Location

Canada, Burlington

Location

Burlington

Remote Working

Remote

Business Area

ICON Strategic Solutions

Job Categories

Clinical Trial Management

Job Type

Permanent

Description

What you will be doing: The L-LTM role will be accountable/responsible for ensuring top-quality end-to-end trial delivery at a country level, managing the consistency of Local Trial Management duties

Reference

JR138907

Expiry date

01/01/0001

Monica Hawkins

Author

Monica Hawkins
Monica Hawkins

Author

Monica Hawkins
Read more Shortlist Save this role
Read more Shortlist Save this role
View all
List #1

Related stories

Female portrait
A Career in Patient Safety: Karina's Journey at ICON

Teaser label

Our People

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

11/14/2025

Summary

Karina Espinoza's Journey at ICON Karina Espinoza's career in pharmacovigilance didn't begin with a grand plan. It started with a practical problem during her final year of a PhD in epidemiology, a

Teaser label

Explore a pharmacovigilance career at ICON through Karina Espinoza's story.

Read more
Headshot of female
How Patient Impact Shapes Clinical Operations

Teaser label

Our People

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

11/13/2025

Summary

A Career Built on Patient Impact: Victoria DeVeaugh Geiss's Journey at ICON Victoria DeVeaugh Geiss has spent more than two decades in clinical research, and one thing has stayed constant throughout

Teaser label

Victoria DeVeaugh Geiss shares insights from 20+ years in the industry and why patients remain at the heart of her work.

Read more
Two medics at ICON clinical research clinic
The Strategic Role of Site Selection and Activation in Clinical Trials

Teaser label

Industry

Content type

Blogs

Publish date

10/28/2025

Summary

Precision at the Outset: The Strategic Role of Site Selection and Activation in Clinical Trials The success of any clinical trial begins well before the first patient is enrolled. Behind every sit

Teaser label

Explore the critical role of site selection and activation in clinical trials.

Read more
View all
List #1

Recently viewed jobs

View all
View Jobs

Browse popular job categories below or search all jobs above