Senior Manager, Finance - 12 Month Contract

Senior Manager, Finance

At ICON, we are looking for a commercially minded and highly influential Senior Manager, Finance to support strategic decision-making across a complex and dynamic business environment.

This is a leadership role for an experienced finance professional who thrives on solving complex business challenges, building strong stakeholder relationships, and driving performance through insight and partnership. You will act as a trusted advisor to operational and commercial leaders, helping to shape strategy, optimise financial outcomes, and deliver sustainable growth.

The successful candidate will bring energy, curiosity, and fresh thinking, continuously seeking opportunities to improve processes, enhance decision-making, and create value for both internal and external stakeholders.

What You Will Do

As a Senior Manager, you will balance strategic priorities, operational demands, and stakeholder expectations while delivering high-quality financial leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and performance management processes for a portfolio of business areas.
• Serve as a trusted finance partner to senior operational and commercial leaders, providing financial insight and strategic guidance.
• Manage complex financial and business challenges, identifying risks, opportunities, and practical solutions that support business objectives.
• Develop robust financial models and business cases to support investment decisions, resource allocation, and growth initiatives.
• Provide meaningful analysis and recommendations that drive improved financial and operational performance.
• Support the management of customer and stakeholder relationship issues, helping to balance commercial outcomes with client expectations.
• Deliver high-quality financial reporting, presentations, and performance insights to senior leadership.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to simplify processes, improve controls, and enhance efficiency.
• Lead and develop a team of finance professionals, fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration across Finance, Operations, Commercial, and Project Management teams to ensure aligned decision-making.
• Act autonomously in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple priorities while maintaining a focus on delivery and results.

What We're Looking For:

We are seeking a finance leader who combines strong technical expertise with excellent commercial acumen and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in financial management, FP&A, or finance business partnering roles.
• Experience supporting large, complex portfolios, programmes, or business units.
• Healthcare, life sciences, pharmaceutical, CRO, or clinical research industry experience is advantageous.
• Demonstrated success influencing senior stakeholders and driving business decisions through financial insight.
• Strong understanding of financial reporting standards, governance, and compliance requirements.
• Proven people leadership experience, including coaching and developing high-performing teams.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong commercial and strategic mindset.
• Exceptional analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and manage complex business challenges.
• Excellent relationship-building and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong customer focus and ability to manage sensitive relationship issues effectively.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a passion for innovation and process optimisation.
• Comfortable working autonomously with a high degree of accountability.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate financial information into actionable business insights.
• Positive energy, resilience, and the confidence to challenge the status quo constructively.