Senior Director, Portfolio & Program Management

Vertex Inc. • Boston, MA

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Sr Director, Program and Portfolio Management functions as a leader in the Program and Portfolio Management department and across Vertex R&D. This role has oversight and supervisory responsibility for the global research program management team supporting our portfolio of research programs at all sites (San Diego, Seattle, Oxford and Boston (Fan Pier and LC1)). The role includes ownership of research annual planning, pre clinical research stage gates processes, reporting of progress on portfolio goals and resourcing, informing and implementing new research initiatives and ensuring integration with our cross functional partners through to the clinic. This role also oversees the PMs supporting our early stage Disease Strategy Teams (Pre-VXc). The successful candidate will also work closely alongside the clinical stage Disease Strategy PM’s to ensure strategic alignment across programs to deliver on critical research pipeline goals. Additionally, this role with interface with research site leadership and contribute to developing research and PPM department initiatives. The position will report to the VP, Program and Portfolio Management and be a standing member of the PPM Leadership Team.

Requirements

• Requires an advanced degree in Life Sciences or a relevant field, (PhD degree preferred)
• Typically requires 12-15 years of experience, including 5+ years of management experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex teams and programs at a global level.
• Deep expertise in portfolio and program management, strategic planning, risk management and resource management across multiple disease areas
• Proven ability to lead and mentor senior program managers and high-level professionals
• Experience in business management and financial acumen to drive value creation
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills with internal and external stakeholders
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment
• Pharmaceutical drug discovery and development expertise across disciplines

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to multiple cross-functional teams to progress the portfolio, including portfolio prioritization and cross-functional impacts as projects move from bench to clinic
• Drive development & monitor progress of research strategy, goals, & metrics ensuring integration of research with DST strategy
• Proactive, effective, and timely communication to ensure delivery of cross-site research goals and initiatives in partnership with site leadership and functional leadership
• Define critical path & at-risk activities and interdependencies, anticipate bottlenecks, clear barriers to progress.
• Lead portfolio/program level scenario planning & risk management
• Ensuring high performing project teams by monitoring and assessing team effectiveness at both team and individual levels
• Drive synergies and scalability across disease areas, optimizing resource allocation to deliver on Vertex portfolio priorities
• In partnership with Alliance Management Team - provide leadership and oversight to program interactions with external business partners and alliances
• Recruit, manage, motivate, and mentor staff members; Identify training needs and monitor staff goals & development plans
• Effective stakeholder management and change management for buy-in and integration of processes, deliverables, technologies and roles/responsibilities into existing teams and infrastructure
• Lead and mentor Senior Directors and PPM staff across at least one additional disease area (“player/coach” model)
• Represent PPM on governance forums and with senior leaders, influencing strategic direction and portfolio growth
• Propose and implement innovative approaches and process improvements to maximize operational excellence

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees