Inside ICON Bulgaria: Career Insights from Dimitar Karzhin, Site Head

Dimitar Karzhin’s career path is not one he could have predicted. What began with a decade as a practicing General Practitioner in Bulgaria led, through a series of pivotal choices and a deep sense of purpose, to a 14 year journey with ICON Plc - a journey defined by transformation, growth, and an unwavering focus on improving patient’s lives.

Dimitar’s story begins not in a corporate office, but in a small town medical practice. After graduating from medical school in 1996, he built a successful GP practice serving around 6000 patients. But by 2003, he began to question whether this was the long term path he wanted.

When ICON reached out to him in 2011, Dimitar was already a senior project manager at another CRO. The role they offered was compelling, but it was the people who made the difference.

When Dimitar joined, ICON in Bulgaria was a team of about 20, all working remotely. The first time the group met in person, they gathered in a local café - a moment he still remembers vividly.

While ICON’s roots in Bulgaria were in clinical operations, the footprint has broadened dramatically.

• Contracts: where specialists leverage their language skills and regional expertise to support agreements across Europe. 
• Pharmacovigilance: now a rapidly expanding team moving into regulatory spaces. Central Labs: supporting both central and local lab operations. 
• Clinical Trials Hub: with over 90 dedicated Clinical Trial Associates, many of whom progress into other roles within ICON. 
• Marketing and GBS functions: including HR, Finance and IT.

As Site Head, Dimitar sees his role not just as a leader, but as an enabler. “Culture isn’t built by one person. It’s built by everyone who chooses to contribute.”

Globally, the industry faces challenges such as economic uncertainty, shifting client needs, and rapid technological change. But Dimitar sees opportunity ahead.

His advice to anyone thinking of joining is simple: “Look beyond the job title. Ask yourself: does this place align with your values? Do the people inspire you? Will you have the chance to grow?”