General Summary:
The Project Management and Strategic Operations Directorleadslarge-scale, high-valueCMCprograms endto end, setting a high standard for decision quality, governance, risk management, and execution. This role combines deep program management discipline, technical and business judgment, and strong stakeholder leadership to drive planning, delivery, adoption, and continuous improvement across the function. The Director alsocoachesteams, strengthens project management capability, and serves as a trusted partner on complex internal and external programs.
Scientific Knowledge/CMC Expertise
Demonstratesstrongcommand ofplanning and executingCMCprograms toguide teams toward phase-appropriate, risk-based technical approaches.
Recognizesas a go-to partner forscenario planning ofcomplex CMC topicsand understandsimpactstrade-offsof technical changes across CMC disciplines.
Helpsteams converge on scientifically defensible paths under uncertaintyin preparation forgovernance decision making
Anticipates downstreamclinical,regulatoryand manufacturability implicationsrelativeto the CMC strategy
Program/Project Management Expertise
Leads complex technical decision-making by applyingsystemsthinking, risk-based planning, and scenario analysis. Anticipates ambiguity andstructureswork tomaintainmomentum and optionalityObservable behaviors:
Proactivelyidentifiescross-functional and lifecycle risks.
Translates uncertainty into executable scenarios and decision trees.
Leads issue resolution efforts spanning multiple functions and sites.
Business Acumen
Leverages understanding of financial processes (e.g.LRP, AOP,BvA), company business statements, NPV and ROI calculations and applies to projects. Understands competitive landscape, customerneedsand industry trends in context of projects/programs.
Drives connections between daily personal and project/program team actions with company goals and functional objectives.
Influenceshow departments across the companycollaborateto deliver value.
Guides teams on how best to apply the drug development/combination product process and commercialization to daily project/program planning and execution.
Leverages complex CDMO management principles and KPIs to measure progress within projects/programs.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Leads program initiation, planning, governance, execution, and performance tracking across complex strategic programs. Oversees scope, timelines, budget, risks, issues, dependencies, stakeholder communication, and resource alignment to ensure delivery of business value. Provides direction to workstream leads and project managers, resolves escalated issues, supports sound decision-making in ambiguity, and helps ensure programs are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with company standards andobjectives
Overseesend-to-end program management activities for large-scale, strategic programs of high business value, with oversight for the full project lifecycle
Manages the progress and contributions of workstream leads or subordinate project managers to ensure all activities deliver expected value within committedtimeframesand budget
Manages contingencies between multiples projects and monitors interdependencies and synergies whererequired
Builds and synthesizeshighly-detailedproject plans, budgeting & forecastingmodelsor resource plans, requiring significant stakeholder management skills and interpretation of diverse and varied information
Develops statements of work, stakeholder management plans, guiding principles, project goals, risks, resource allocation, and roles and responsibilities for assigned projects
Secures, leads,motivatesand inspires the internal and external resourcesrequiredto effectively deliver the program. Establishes the program’s governance (e.g., sponsors, approvers, stakeholders)
Participates in the evaluation, selection and management of external resources or vendors
Provides transparency in project progress and effectivelyanticipatesand mitigates major risks across the project lifecycle
Proactively craftsfeasiblesolutions to combat risks and issues. Exercises sound judgement balancing risks and making prompt decisions in ambiguous ordifficult situations
Manages communication with management at a detailed functional level and discusses/resolves issues
Works with all required functions and groups to effectively plan and execute the program/project(s). May coordinate resources across organizational boundaries
Trains and coaches project teams in execution methodologies andpromotesadoption of best practices
Develops tools and training methods to enable successful project management throughout the enterprise. Ensures project delivery is in conformance with company methodologies and standards;recommendsimprovements and changes as necessary
Evaluates program costs and benefits including actual results and forecasts with comparisons to original or baselineplanand updates plans withaccurate, up-to-date informationin a timely manner Reports financial information and status to leadership. Ensures program solution(s) meets quality and reliability requirements and that the launch approach meets or exceeds adoption targets. Monitors program results/performance for significant deviations, evaluates options and makes recommendations for corrective actions, and then implements selected actions
Knowledge and Skills:
Strong experience leading cross-functional, medium- to large-scale programs and projects
Strong critical thinking and the ability to connect people, ideas, and data to drive outcomes
Proven ability to work effectively across functions, teams, and organizational boundaries
Ability to manage multiple priorities whilemaintainingtimelines, budgets, and clear status reporting
Excellent communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into clear insights and recommendations
Strong program and operational management skills with attention to detail
Comfort working in ambiguity and leading teams through complex decisions and change
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree
10 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience
#LI-BS1
Pay Range:
$185,400 - $278,200
Disclosure Statement:
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.
Flex Designation:
Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible
Flex Eligibility Status:
In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
1. Hybrid work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2. On-Site work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
#LI-Hybrid
Company Information
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.
Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.
Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and have made significant advancements in multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continue to progress clinical and research programs in these diseases. We also have a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where we have deep insight into causal human biology, including acute and neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, IgA nephropathy, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Our global HQ is in Boston, and we have research and development (R&D) sites and commercial offices worldwide.
Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry’s top places to work by Science Magazine, The Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal and the San Diego Business Journal. We have also earned a spot on TIME Most Influential Companies, TIME Best Inventions, and Fast Company Most Innovative Companies lists. Our research and medicines have received esteemed recognitions, including the Robert J. Beall Therapeutics Development Award, the Prix Galien, the Scrip Award and the Breakthrough Prize awards.
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