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

Vertex Netherlands Distribution; Netherlands; Hybrid; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex is seeking a Center Engagement Lead (CEL) in the Netherlands/Benelux to identify and onboard Authorized Treatment Centers for Casgevy, Vertex’s gene-editing therapy, and ensure seamless patient journeys from referral to infusion.

The role coordinates a cross-functional Vertex team, focusing on operational readiness, training, and process support while supporting ATCs and physicians. This is a hybrid role with travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required.
• Extensive Biotech/Pharma or medical technology experience with cross-functional teamwork.
• Proven negotiation and contracting experience.
• Cell & Gene therapy experience desirable but not mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead ATC assessment and activation for Casgevy in Benelux.
• Coordinate contracting with ATCs and internal cross‑functional teams.
• Oversee onboarding strategy and training for ATC staff.
• Provide ongoing support post-activation for ATC activities.
• Present progress to regional leaders and drive process improvements.

Skills

Outstanding communication

Negotiation

Cross-functional coordination

Project management

English fluency

Training coordination

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Biotech/Pharma experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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 Casgevy, 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 Casgevy and post infusion support. The role is a commercial, non-promotional role, solely focused on operational and technical aspects of the Casgevy 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 hybrid based in Netherlands but supporting activities throughout Netherlands and Belgium, but will on occasions require travel to other locations internationally for meetings and events. The Vertex office associated with this role is located in Haarlem, North Netherlands.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Leads the assessment and recommendation for potential ATCs to activate for Casgevy 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 Casgevy 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 Casgevy, 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 Regional teams overseeing Casgevy 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 elevate 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 prioritise and re‑prioritise 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: Hybrid‑Eligible Or On‑Site Eligible Flex Eligibility Status

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

1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or
2. 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. #LI‑Hybrid

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 16 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.

We believe our culture is one of Vertex’s greatest strengths and a key enabler of our ability to deliver transformative medicines for patients who need them. 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.