Senior Director, Portfolio & Program Management

Vertex Inc. • Boston, MA

1d • $242,200 - $363,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Director, Portfolio & Program Management is a global leadership role within Vertex’s Program and Portfolio Management organization. The position champions cross-functional project management excellence across the drug development lifecycle, including Research, Pre-clinical and Clinical Development, Registration, and Commercialization. The Senior Director applies project management expertise to identify opportunities, shape objectives, and drive execution of global strategy for cross-functional drug development teams and portfolio operations initiatives. The role is accountable for the performance and end results of a department or area and may include financial and human resource responsibilities for assigned high-level professionals and subordinate managers.

The role provides strategic and operational leadership to cross-functional teams from project initiation through closeout; communicates integrated plans, timelines, status, risks, and issues to teams and senior leaders; and guides scenario planning, governance alignment, decision-making, and issue resolution. The Senior Director also advances process improvements, oversees team deliverables, establishes operating norms, measures performance, and mentors managers and high-level professionals.

Vertex describes itself as a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation. The company encourages continuous learning and thoughtful adoption of advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends to improve decision-making, innovation, efficiency, and patient outcomes.

Requirements

• Typically requires a bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or a relevant field.
• Typically requires 12 years of experience and 5 years of management experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Broad and comprehensive understanding of project and portfolio management principles, options analysis, strategic planning, business case generation, finance, and resource management.
• Leadership experience managing cross-functional teams and the ability to influence teams to prioritize activities and allocate resources in support of operational strategy.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including well-developed presentation skills.
• Pharmaceutical drug discovery and development expertise across multiple disciplines.
• Organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong collaboration skills to interact effectively with internal or external stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Advanced business management knowledge to assess the impact of project decisions on financial and corporate objectives.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational project leadership to one or more cross-functional teams, directing activities through all stages of the project lifecycle from initiation through closeout.
• Drive communication across functions and with senior leaders on integrated program planning, including timelines, status, risks, and issues.
• Identify roadblocks or constraints affecting strategic imperatives or project execution and lead teams through scenario planning.
• Partner with governance forums, senior leaders, and team leads to align strategy, goals, and milestones with corporate objectives.
• Propose innovative approaches, define process improvements, and advise leaders on opportunities to optimize project results.
• Determine the approach and stakeholders for cross-functional decision-making and issue resolution.
• Oversee completion of project team deliverables and contribute to content development when appropriate.
• Establish project team operating norms and measure performance.
• Use subject matter expertise to mentor subordinate managers and high-level professionals.
• As a people manager, potentially assume financial accountabilities and human resource responsibilities for assigned high-level professionals and subordinate managers.

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: Senior