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

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.

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.”

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.”

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 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.

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.”

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.”

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.