Executive Director, Sales Training & Enablement
- Swansea, Blue Bell
- Business Development
- ICON Full Service & Corporate Support
- Hybrid: Office/Remote
About the role
Executive Director, Sales Training & Enablement - Remote (US or UK)
ICON plc is a world-leading healthcare intelligence and clinical research organization. We’re proud to foster an inclusive environment driving innovation and excellence, and we welcome you to join us on our mission to shape the future of clinical development.
Location: US / UK
Reports To: Chief Commercial Officer
Position Overview:
The Exec Dir of Sales Training and Enablement will be responsible for developing and executing strategies that enhance the skills and performance of the sales team. This role involves equipping sales teams with the necessary training, tools, processes, and content to drive revenue growth and improve sales performance. The Exec Dir will collaborate closely with sales leadership, marketing, product development, and client services teams to ensure alignment and integration across all sales stages. This role requires a strategic thinker with a strong background in sales training and development, who can lead initiatives that drive sales effectiveness and improve overall business performance.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Planning & Leadership:
Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive Sales Training and Enablement strategy aligned with the company's goals and objectives, focusing on enhancing sales productivity and win rates within the CRO market.
Create a multi-year vision and plan for the development of a high-performing Sales Enablement team.
Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Proposals, and Client Services to identify gaps and ensure alignment and integration across all sales stages, with a strong focus on helping to enable effective cross- and joint-sell of complementary capabilities
Utilize data-driven insights to continuously improve enablement initiatives, including onboarding, training, content, and process optimizations.
Enablement Program Development:
Design, implement, and manage sales onboarding programs to reduce ramp-up time for new hires and enhance productivity.
Develop ongoing training, certifications, and coaching initiatives to upskill sales representatives and managers, focusing on messaging, product knowledge, and sales skills.
Create, organize, and maintain a comprehensive sales enablement content library, including pitch decks, case studies, playbooks, and competitive analysis materials.
Sales Tools & Technology:
Oversee the selection, implementation, and management of sales enablement tools and technology (e.g., CRM, Learning Management Systems, analytics platforms) to streamline processes and enhance sales efficiency.
Drive adoption of enablement tools across the sales organization, ensuring accessibility and ease of use.
Continuously assess and implement new tools and technologies to optimize sales workflows, lead management, and pipeline tracking.
Performance Measurement & Analytics:
Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for Sales Enablement programs and track success metrics to measure impact on sales performance.
Utilize analytics to provide insights into content usage, training effectiveness, and areas for improvement.
Present data-driven insights and reports to the Chief Commercial Officer, outlining the impact of enablement initiatives on revenue and sales productivity.
Qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree required; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- Experience: Minimum of 10 years in sales enablement, sales operations, or a related field within the B2B services industry, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
- Sales Enablement Expertise: Proven track record of building and scaling sales enablement functions in a high-growth environment.
- Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze data, measure impact, and present findings to executive leadership.
- Industry Knowledge: Experience within the Clinical Research Organization (CRO) sector is highly desirable.
- Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to create compelling content and deliver dynamic presentations.
- Project Management: Exceptional organizational and project management skills, with the ability to handle multiple initiatives simultaneously.
- Training Knowledge: Proficient in using training technologies and e-learning platforms.
- Collaboration: Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and build positive relationships across the company.
- Working Conditions: This position may require occasional travel to meet with clients, attend industry events, or collaborate with remote teams.
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What ICON can offer you:
Our success depends on the quality of our people. That’s why we’ve made it a priority to build a diverse culture that rewards high performance and nurtures talent.
In addition to your competitive salary, ICON offers a range of additional benefits. Our benefits are designed to be competitive within each country and are focused on well-being and work life balance opportunities for you and your family.
Our benefits examples include:
- Various annual leave entitlements
- A range of health insurance offerings to suit you and your family’s needs.
- Competitive retirement planning offerings to maximize savings and plan with confidence for the years ahead.
- Global Employee Assistance Programme, LifeWorks, offering 24-hour access to a global network of over 80,000 independent specialized professionals who are there to support you and your family’s well-being.
- Life assurance
- Flexible country-specific optional benefits, including childcare vouchers, bike purchase schemes, discounted gym memberships, subsidized travel passes, health assessments, among others.
Visit our careers site to read more about the benefits ICON offers.
At ICON, inclusion & belonging are fundamental to our culture and values. We’re dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all candidates. ICON is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please let us know or submit a request here
Interested in the role, but unsure if you meet all of the requirements? We would encourage you to apply regardless – there’s every chance you’re exactly what we’re looking for here at ICON whether it is for this or other roles.
Are you a current ICON Employee? Please click here to apply
Impactful work. Meaningful careers. Quality rewards.
At ICON, our employees are our greatest strength. That’s why we are committed to empowering you to live your best life, both inside and outside of work. Whether your ambition is lead a global team, become a deep scientific or technical expert, work in-house with our customers or gain experience in a variety of different ICON functions, we will support you in realising your full potential. See all locations Learn more about Our Culture at ICON
Day in the life

Teaser label
Inclusion & BelongingContent type
BlogsPublish date
06/02/2015
Summary
ICON has been providing outsourced development services on a global scale to the pharmaceutical, biotechnological and medical device industries for 25 years. Employing over 10,000 employees across 38

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Inside ICONContent type
BlogsPublish date
01/28/2015
Summary
ICON began its journey to international success from humble beginnings in Ireland in 1990. Started by Dr John Climax and Dr Ronan Lambe, the first office had five team members and since then has grown
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