External Innovation Executive Director

Vertex Inc. • Boston, MA

117d • $264,000 - $396,000

About The Position

The External Innovation (EI) Executive Director leads end‑to‑end identification, evaluation, and advancement of external opportunities that materially strengthen Vertex’s R&D pipeline across modalities (e.g., small molecules, biologics, CGT, RNA, delivery platforms) and enabling technologies (e.g., discovery, translational, and manufacturing tools). The role orchestrates integrated, cross‑functional analyses and converts opportunity signals into clear, decision‑ready recommendations for EI governance (EI Science, BDSC) and the Executive Committee.

Requirements

• PhD (or equivalent advanced degree) and 15+ years of biotech/pharma experience spanning discovery and/or early development; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Breadth across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities with a track record of leading complex evaluations from scouting through governance decision.
• Demonstrated success influencing executive‑level decisions (BDSC/EC or equivalent) with crisp, quantitative, and evidence‑based recommendations.
• Proven ability to build and manage high‑performing analyst teams and to operate an integrated analysis model.

Nice To Haves

• Scientific depth + learning agility: Rapidly master novel mechanisms, disease biology, and platform technologies; challenge assumptions using causal‑biology thinking and translational rigor.
• Business acumen: Valuation literacy; option‑value framing; scenario and risk modeling; ability to articulate value drivers and deal concepts (from partnerships to company creation/M&A).
• Program & portfolio judgment: Gap/risk assessment vs. strategy; sandbox criteria application; sensitivity to manufacturability, regulatory path, and global market feasibility.
• Influential communication: Executive‑quality narratives and visuals; clear storyline from problem framing to recommendation; ability to lead with facts and secure alignment.
• Stakeholder leadership: Credible engagement with VCs, KOLs, and external partners; strong internal partnership with Transactions and Alliance Management for execution continuity.
• Operating discipline: Drive throughput with a scrum‑like resource model; set standards, templates, and review cadences to improve decision speed and quality.

Responsibilities

• Lead systematic, data‑driven surveillance of assets, platforms, and enabling technologies irrespective of modality, with explicit linkage to Vertex strategy and sandbox criteria.
• Manage cross‑functional workstreams (research, clinical, regulatory, CMC, commercial, legal/finance) to pressure‑test fit, feasibility, and impact.
• Direct rigorous scientific/clinical diligence; structure work plans, KOL outreach, competitive/CI/IP reads; ensure seamless hand‑offs to Transactions with complete transfer of findings, risks, and proposed deal constructs.
• Prepare decision memos and present at EI Science/BDSC; align on sandbox nominations and program recommendations for EC review and decisions.
• Manage and coach an analyst team; deploy fungible resources in a scrum‑like model to priority evaluations; set standards for analysis quality, storyline, and executive‑level communications.
• Be a trusted interface with VCs, biotech/pharma, academia, and founders to create proprietary access, early looks, and company‑creation options.
• Conduct unbiased gap analyses vs. EC‑aligned strategies; partner with DSTs to define options, risks, and timing, and to ensure external opportunities advance program success.
• Codify playbooks, templates, and metrics for throughput, cycle time, and decision quality; institutionalize learnings across EI and BD Ops.
• Foster an environment consistent with EI competencies (business‑minded leader, insight generator, influential communicator, trusted partner, change enabler, technical expert).

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter)
• Educational assistance programs including student loan repayment
• Generous commuting subsidy
• Matching charitable donations
• 401(k)
• Annual bonus and annual equity awards

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree