Executive Director, Performance Excellence & Business Transformation
About The Position
The Executive Director of Performance Excellence & Business Transformation for Global Clinical Operations is a senior strategic leader responsible for driving operational excellence, innovation, and transformation across Vertex’s global clinical trial portfolio, with a strong focus on technology innovation. The role leads end-to-end clinical trials process optimization, oversees global transformation programs, advances digital capabilities—including Clinical Technology Innovations and transformative AI/ML strategies—and leads Business Intelligence and Analytics. It also develops and implements workforce planning and resource utilization strategies and embeds a high-performance culture that accelerates study delivery while ensuring regulatory compliance and patient safety. This role reports to the Head of Global Clinical Operations and is a member of the Leadership team. The position leads the development and execution of a multi-year transformation roadmap, advances standardized global processes, and oversees governance, analytics, resource strategy, clinical technologies, and operational performance across internal teams and external partners. It builds and leads a Transformation/Operational Excellence team and drives change management to support sustained global adoption of improvements.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Operations, or a related field.
- 15+ years of increasing leadership responsibility in Global Clinical Operations, R&D Operations, Clinical Development, or related functions within pharma, biotech, or CRO.
- Proven success driving enterprise transformation and performance excellence initiatives within highly regulated environments.
- Strong track record improving clinical trial cycle times, quality, and operational predictability.
- Experience implementing digital, data, or technology solutions for clinical operations.
- Deep understanding of end-to-end clinical development processes, regulatory pathways, and operational challenges.
- Strong strategic thinking, portfolio management, and business acumen.
- Exceptional leadership, influence, and stakeholder engagement across global, matrixed environments.
- Data-driven mindset with proficiency in analytics and clinical operations performance management tools.
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex concepts for senior executives.
- High degree of resilience, adaptability, and operational rigor.
Nice To Haves
- Advanced degree (MS, MPH, PharmD, MBA, or PhD).
Responsibilities
- Lead the creation and execution of a multi-year transformation roadmap to modernize Global Clinical Operations and elevate operational effectiveness.
- Identify enterprise-level opportunities to streamline clinical trial planning, site startup, enrollment, data collection, data cleaning, and closeout.
- Drive harmonization and standardization of Global Clinical Operations processes across regions, therapeutic areas, and CRO partners.
- Develop and oversee governance frameworks for clinical transformation initiatives, including prioritization, KPIs, and benefits realization.
- Collaborate with DTE to accelerate adoption of modern clinical technologies.
- Embed advanced analytics and predictive modeling to identify enrollment risks, monitor site performance, and optimize operational decision-making.
- Oversee study and operational metrics and lead dashboard development.
- Lead Global Clinical Operations resource strategy and allocation.
- Drive identification, implementation, and development of novel site- and patient-facing technologies, including end-to-end technology deployment and GMDA robotic process automation.
- Collaborate with external CROs, vendors, and strategic partners to ensure operational performance, consistency, and efficiency across outsourced studies.
- Build and lead a high-performing Transformation/Operational Excellence team within Global Clinical Operations.
- Oversee change management strategies to ensure global adoption, behavior change, and sustained results.
Benefits
- Annual bonus eligibility
- Annual equity awards
- Medical benefits
- Dental benefits
- Vision benefits
- Generous paid time off, including a week-long company shutdown in the summer and winter
- Educational assistance programs, including student loan repayment
- Commuting subsidy
- Matching charitable donations
- 401(k)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Executive
