Executive Director, Oxford DMPK

Vertex UK Int'l HQ/R&D; Oxford; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex is seeking an Executive Director, Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, to lead the Oxford DMPK team and join Global DMPK leadership. The role develops strategy, aligns with Vertex R&D, and integrates activities across sites and departments to advance transformational therapies.

The position requires deep DMPK expertise, strong leadership, and proven ability to drive discovery and development programs, with on-site responsibilities in Oxford.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven leadership experience in a DMPK lead role across multiple R&D teams.
• Extensive experience with small molecules and DMPK science.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Oxford DMPK team and shape strategy for the Global DMPK function.
• Coordinate interdisciplinary activities across departments to advance Vertex programs.
• Represent DMPK in drug discovery teams and governance bodies at the Oxford site.
• Hire, develop and retain talent; manage resource allocation and budgeting.
• Ensure regulatory documentation (Investigator Brochures, INDs) is completed.

Skills

DMPK leadership

Strategic planning

Cross-site collaboration

People management

Regulatory documentation

Drug development knowledge

Education

PhD in relevant field or equivalent

Tools

Mass spectrometry

Bioanalysis

PBPK modelling

ADME assays

Job description

Job Description General Summary

The Executive Director, Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, will lead the DMPK team at our Oxford site and will be part of the Global DMPK and Oxford Site leadership teams. The responsibilities of the role include developing and executing the strategy and operations of the Oxford DMPK team, as well as the scientific and managerial coordination of its groups and employees. This role will optimise interdisciplinary activities within DMPK and integrate activities with those of the other sites and departments, and thus, play a major role in shaping the direction of the overall Vertex portfolio. Using deep scientific expertise and strong leadership skills, this role will provide strategic and scientific direction to help advance the discovery and development of transformational therapies for serious unmet medical needs at Vertex.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop a strategy and vision for the Oxford DMPK team that is aligned with the Global DMPK and Vertex R&D vision/mission
• Develop and execute DMPK scientific strategies to address ADME challenges in discovery and development programs
• Build and maintain strong collaborative partnerships with Medicinal Chemistry, Biology, Preclinical Safety, Clinical Pharmacology, CMC and other R&D disciplines to advance Vertex programs through discovery and development.
• Represent DMPK function on drug discovery and development teams, at the Oxford site and with Vertex governance bodies
• Implement innovative technologies and approaches to enhance scientific impact and/or efficiencies. Provides scientific and managerial leadership to their team in prioritising and executing on key deliverables and project needs Ensure completion of necessary DMPK regulatory documentation and reports to support drug development, including Investigator Brochures, INDs (or equivalent), and marketing applications.
• Hire, develop, manage and retain key talent to maintain a high-performing team.
• Develop internal and external sourcing strategies and liaise across sites to best meet project needs.
• Contribute to developing Global DMPK resource allocation, staffing needs, expenses, and capital budgeting, as well as implementation plans.
• Participate in the review of business development opportunities

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong management and leadership skills, with emphasis on developing and mentoring junior scientists to create a high-performing team
• Successful track record and experience in a DMPK lead role on multiple R&D teams across more than one therapeutic area.
• Extensive experience working with small molecules is a must.
• Additional expertise and familiarity with one or more other modalities (e.g., protein, antibody and nucleic acid therapeutics, cell and gene therapies) is desired.
• Deep scientific and strategic expertise in various components of DMPK science such as in vitro and in vivo ADME assays, mass spectrometry and bioanalysis, pharmacokinetic data analysis, biotransformation/disposition pathways, drug interaction risk assessment and human dose and drug interaction predictions.
• Additional skills in areas such as transporter science, enzymology and PK/PD and PBPK modelling will be a plus.
• Ability to critically evaluate and implement new science and technology as it relates to the discovery and development of new medicines
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, and ability to develop and grow strong cross-site/function collaborations

Education and Experience

Proven experience in a similar role is required after a PhD or the equivalent combination of education and experience. At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.

Flex Designation

On-Site Designated Flex Eligibility Status: In this On-Site designated role, you will work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility. Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law.

Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States.

Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]

Help Us Achieve Our Mission

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases and conditions. The company has approved therapies for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia, acute pain and acromegaly, and it continues to advance clinical and research programs in these areas. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including IgA nephropathy, neuropathic pain, APOL1-mediated kidney disease, primary membranous nephropathy, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, generalized myasthenia gravis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1. Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 17 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X

Rooted in innovation, purpose and collaboration, our culture empowers people to take smart risks, challenge conventional thinking and do their best work. The diversity of our people is central to that culture. By bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, we foster an environment where new ideas thrive, better decisions are made and breakthrough innovation is possible. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, included and connected to our shared mission, because we know that our unique culture and the collective strength of our people are what set Vertex apart.