Portfolio & Program Management Director

Vertex Pharmaceuticals • Boston, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Director of Portfolio and Program Management (PPM) sits within the COO organization and provides strategic and operational leadership across a portfolio of cross-functional Research programs and projects, spanning early research through candidate preclinical development. The role is accountable for portfolio-level oversight and direct program management, ensuring alignment with research priorities and delivery against organizational objectives. In partnership with the Cell and Gene Therapies (CGT) Site Head, Chief of Staff, Program Leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders, the Director provides integrated portfolio insights, enables prioritization, supports strategic decision-making, and ensures execution of critical site and program objectives.

As a leader within Research PPM, the Director promotes high-performing, data-driven ways of working, strengthens portfolio governance and visibility, and serves as a trusted thought partner to research leadership. The position includes line management responsibilities and contributes to developing PPM capabilities, talent, and organizational effectiveness. The Director is also expected to stay informed about advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends, and thoughtfully adopt capabilities that improve decision-making, innovation, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

Requirements

• Typically requires 10 years of experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Significant experience in portfolio and program management within drug discovery and/or early development, including leadership of cross-functional teams and complex project portfolios.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a portfolio of complex projects in a fast-paced Research environment.
• Ability to partner with senior site leadership to translate strategic priorities into executable plans.
• Proven ability to drive accountability and delivery across matrixed cross-functional teams.
• Comprehensive knowledge of project and portfolio management principles, best practices, tools, technology, and methods.
• Leadership experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including well-developed presentation skills.
• Comprehensive pharmaceutical drug discovery and development knowledge across multiple disciplines.
• Exceptional organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong collaboration skills for interacting effectively with internal or external stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, collaborative environment while managing multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience carrying out risk analysis, decision analysis, and contingency planning.
• Typically requires an advanced degree in Life Sciences or a relevant field; a PhD is preferred, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and professional training.
• Desire to contribute to an innovative company focused on transforming the lives of people with serious diseases, their families, and society.
• Ability to embody Vertex Core Values: Uncompromising Commitment to Patients, Fearless Pursuit of Excellence, Innovation is Our Lifeblood, and “We” Wins.

Nice To Haves

• PhD degree.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Program Leaders to lead portfolio planning, drive strategic decision-making, and support execution across research and early development programs.
• Lead and oversee a portfolio of Research programs and projects from early research through candidate preclinical development, aligning them with organizational and corporate priorities.
• Directly lead priority cross-functional projects and programs, including planning, execution, decision-making, and delivery against milestones and goals.
• Partner with the CGT Site Head and Chief of Staff to provide timely portfolio and program updates on status, risks, milestones, resource needs, and decision points, and help ensure delivery of site objectives.
• Guide cross-functional R&D teams in establishing high-performing, data-driven ways of working that deliver on corporate objectives and priorities.
• Lead cross-functional decision-making and issue resolution by identifying stakeholders and driving alignment on priorities, governance, and actions.
• Develop and maintain integrated portfolio and project timelines and reporting, including critical path activities, interdependencies, and potential bottlenecks.
• Proactively identify, assess, mitigate, and escalate risks, gaps, challenges, and roadblocks that could affect program or site delivery.
• Lead the generation of program assumptions for annual resource allocation and budgeting across Research and Development functions.
• Identify, communicate, and manage resource constraints, synergies, and redundancies across the portfolio.
• Manage key meetings, stakeholder communications, action items, decisions, and follow-through to support execution and accountability.
• Communicate complex topics to stakeholders through effective storytelling and content creation.
• Establish team operating norms and identify opportunities to improve team and portfolio performance.
• Work with Portfolio and Program leadership to build, manage, coach, and retain PM staff.
• Translate site goals into actionable portfolio and project plans as a key PPM leader.

Benefits

• Annual bonus eligibility.
• Annual equity awards.
• Medical, dental, and 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).

What This Job Offers

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