Senior Manager, Centre Engagement Lead (CEL) - Field based– Hematology Benelux

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC; Haarlem; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex is seeking a Center Engagement Lead (CEL) to identify transplant centres in the Netherlands and Belgium to become Authorized Treatment Centers for Vertex’s gene-editing therapy. The CEL will coordinate a cross-functional team to contract, onboard ATCs and support healthcare professionals and patients from referral to infusion and post‑infusion care.

The role is field-based in the Netherlands, with travel to other locations internationally as needed, and a hybrid work arrangement is

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree is required.
• Extensive experience in Biotech/Pharma with cross‑functional teamwork.
• Experience in negotiation and contracting.
• Cell & Gene therapy experience desirable but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead assessment and recommendation of ATCs to activate in Benelux.
• Act as primary contact for ATCs and coordinate multiple stakeholders.
• Manage ATC contracting to align internal teams and external partners.
• Define onboarding strategy from activation to order readiness and training.
• Provide ongoing support post-activation for ATC success and patient journey.
• Oversee training or audits to ensure high-quality ATC service.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Project management

Cross-functional coordination

Contracting experience

Microsoft Office

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

General Summary

The Center Engagement Lead (CEL) is a Senior Manager role reporting to the Commercial Associate Director for Haematology, Benelux. In this role the CEL will identify transplant centres in the Netherlands and Belgium to become Authorized Treatment Centers (ATCs) for Vertex’s gene-editing technology, Vertex’s novel gene editing therapy for severe Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia (TDT) patients. The CEL coordinates a cross functional Vertex team to contract and onboard ATCs, and through ongoing engagement, ensures that Healthcare Professionals and Patients are well supported throughout the treatment journey, from patient referral to infusion with Vertex’s gene-editing technology and post infusion support.

The role is a commercial, non-promotional role, solely focused on operational and technical aspects of the Vertex’s gene-editing technology treatment process and patient journey (ie operational support, onboarding, technical readiness, training coordination, and process support, not product promotion or demand generation).

The role is Field based in Netherlands but supporting activities throughout Netherlands and Belgium, but will on occasions require travel to other locations internationally for meetings and events.

Job Description

The Center Engagement Lead (CEL) is a Senior Manager role reporting to the Commercial Associate Director for Haematology, Benelux. In this role the CEL will identify transplant centres in the Netherlands and Belgium to become Authorized Treatment Centers (ATCs) for Vertex’s gene-editing technology, Vertex’s novel gene editing therapy for severe Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and Transfusion Dependent Thalassemia (TDT) patients. The CEL coordinates a cross functional Vertex team to contract and onboard ATCs, and through ongoing engagement, ensures that Healthcare Professionals and Patients are well supported throughout the treatment journey, from patient referral to infusion with Vertex’s gene-editing technology and post infusion support.

The role is a commercial, non-promotional role, solely focused on operational and technical aspects of the Vertex’s gene-editing technology treatment process and patient journey (ie operational support, onboarding, technical readiness, training coordination, and process support, not product promotion or demand generation).

The role is Field based in Netherlands but supporting activities throughout Netherlands and Belgium, but will on occasions require travel to other locations internationally for meetings and events.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Leads the assessment and recommendation for potential ATCs to activate for Vertexs’ gene-editing technology in Benelux
• Acts as primary point of contact for all stakeholders at ATC and proactively supports multiple ATCs.
• Leads ATC contracting process, ensuring alignment of Vertex internal cross-functional teams (especially Legal, Quality and Heme Commercial) as well as external ATC stakeholders (Physicians, ATC Legal counsel, ATC Quality Managers, Pharmacists, ATC apheresis and infusion teams) to ensure contracts are executed in a timely manner.
• Defines the on-boarding strategy leading from ATC activation (i.e. ATC contracted and quality assessed) to order readiness (i.e. ATC team training on Vertex order portal, ATC apheresis and infusion team trained by Vertex and ready to initiate Vertex’s gene-editing technology to patients)
• Engages with ATCs, physicians and management teams to support all centre onboarding and activation steps and provides ongoing support post activation to support ATC activities related to Vertexs’ gene-editing technology, helping them to ensure a seamless journey for patients from referral to treatment
• Oversees and coordinates appropriate ongoing training measures or audits of ATCs to ensure consistent and high quality service is delivered by ATCs
• Develops and owns ATC operational readiness plans and objectives (excluding sales) and ensures regular reporting of progress made vs goals.
• Provides guidance to the ATCs to ensure patients can be treated with our gene-editing technology, rapidly and easily after their identification.
• Is the first point of contact for any issue that may arise at ATC level and is able to work quickly and with a solution orientated mind-set to find acceptable solutions for ATC and Vertex Pharmaceuticals
• Because of the unique insights gained in this position, the CEL will play a leading role in the cross-functional launch team
• The CEL will periodically present to Senior Leaders on progress towards goals and make recommendations to Head Quarter teams overseeing Vertex’s gene-editing technology commercialization to continually improve systems and processes

Knowledge And Skills

• Outstanding communication skills and the ability support customers on operational onboarding, contracting, technical readiness, training coordination, and process support.
• Strong negotiation and contracting experience gained in similar or other roles
• Ability to coordinate a cross-functional project team and ensure that deliverables are tracked and managed in a timely fashion, knowing when to raise issues.
• Comfortable navigating uncertainty and managing the demands of a dynamic and fast-growing organization.
• Entrepreneurial approach to problem solving and a hands-on 'can do' attitude.
• Superior project management, organisational and time management skills and able to prioritize and re-prioritize as new insights come to light.
• Solid understanding of the compliance framework with a high level of integrity
• Committed to learning and development.
• Good IT skills e.g., Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook).
• Fluent in English and excellent written and verbal skills with ability to present concisely to Senior Leaders..

Education And Experience

• Bachelors Degree
• Requires extensive experience in the Biotech/Pharmaceutical or medical technology environment with a track record of successful cross-functional teamwork
• Will have demonstrated in previous roles successful negotiation and contracting experience
• Experience in Cell & Gene therapy desirable but not mandatory

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

Field

Flex Eligibility Status

In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:

• Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
• On-Site: 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]