AI Transformation Operations Director

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Director, AI Transformation Operations to design and operate the governance and execution model for AI reinvention projects. You will translate portfolio decisions into coordinated actions, manage forums, and provide leaders with timely, decision‑oriented insights to accelerate delivery.

The role requires building scalable processes, guiding cross‑functional teams, and leveraging AI to improve decision quality and timeliness.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of executive governance and decision processes.
• Experience coordinating governance forums and complex transformations.

Responsibilities

• Govern governance forums and ensure timely decisions and follow‑through.
• Translate decisions into actions, owners, and timelines with clear accountability.
• Prepare concise, decision‑oriented materials for executives and stakeholders.
• Ensure alignment of responsibilities and timelines across transformation teams.

Skills

Executive governance

Transformation Office

Cross-functional coordination

Decision making

Agenda design

Stakeholder management

Communication

AI fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

Job Description At Vertex, we continue to invest in a future-ready workforce where AI helps people strengthen expertise, improve decision-making and create greater impact for our people and patients. We are looking for a Director, AI Transformation Operations to build the operating model that helps Vertex move AI reinvention projects from strategic decisions to coordinated execution. Reporting to the VP, AI Transformation, you will connect strategy, governance, and delivery across Vertex’s AI transformation, translating portfolio decisions into coordinated action, keeping teams aligned, and creating the visibility and accountability to deliver with clarity and speed. You will run the governance forums that guide the transformation, equipping leaders with the information, analysis, and stakeholder input needed to make timely decisions. You will turn those decisions into clear actions, responsibilities, and timelines, track follow-through, and keep leaders informed of progress, outstanding decisions, and areas that need their support. To succeed, you will create scalable ways of working that strengthen decision‑making, coordination, and follow‑through, continually improving how the Transformation Office operates and the quality and pace of execution. You will model responsible use by continuously learning, applying AI to innovate your own work, and championing practices that create value.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Governance planning. Maintain an integrated calendar of governance forums, decisions, milestones, and required inputs so work reaches the right leaders at the right time.
• Governance forum coordination. Coordinate the forums that guide Vertex’s AI transformation, including agendas, materials, stakeholder input, decisions, and follow-through.
• Decision preparation. Work across AI Transformation Strategy, Finance, Workforce Strategy & Innovation, Data Technology & Engineering, governance teams, and functional leaders to assemble the information and analysis needed for timely decisions.
• Decision follow-through. Translate governance and portfolio decisions into clear actions, responsibilities, timelines, and conditions; maintain a reliable record of commitments and open questions; and track progress through completion.
• Executive visibility and communications. Prepare concise, decision-oriented materials and updates that keep executive leaders, governance forums, and key stakeholders current on decisions, commitments, follow-through, and areas where leadership involvement is needed.
• Execution alignment. Keep decisions, responsibilities, actions, and timelines aligned across the teams contributing to the transformation.
• Transformation Office coordination. Manage the planning and follow-through needed to keep the Transformation Office focused on its priorities and connected to the broader portfolio.
• Scalable ways of working. Create and continually improve practical processes, tools, and templates that strengthen coordination and accountability across the transformation.
• AI-enabled operations. Use AI and automation to streamline work, improve the quality and timeliness of information, and surface insights that support better decisions.

Knowledge and Skills:

Strong knowledge of executive governance, decision processes, transformation office operations, and cross‑functional coordination. Ability to translate strategic and portfolio decisions into clear actions, responsibilities, timelines, conditions, and follow‑through. Ability to design and coordinate governance forums, including decision requirements, agendas, stakeholder input, executive materials, records, and action tracking. Strong executive‑writing and synthesis skills, with the ability to turn complex information into concise, decision‑oriented materials and updates. Strong organizational judgment, with the ability to anticipate information needs, maintain momentum, and surface areas requiring leadership involvement. Ability to create scalable processes, tools, templates, and working practices that improve coordination without adding unnecessary complexity. Strong relationship‑building and influence skills across functions, including the ability to establish shared expectations and maintain accountability without direct authority. Practical fluency with AI and automation tools and emerging AI capabilities, with the ability to use them responsibly to streamline work, improve the timeliness and quality of information and surface useful insights. Ability to manage multiple concurrent governance activities, decisions, actions, and stakeholder needs in a fast‑moving environment.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in business, operations, organizational management, communications, or a related field – or relevant experience Advanced degree preferred. Typically requires 10 or more years of experience in enterprise operations, transformation office operations, executive governance, or strategic program coordination, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience coordinating governance forums and decision processes for a complex, enterprise‑wide transformation or portfolio. Experience preparing concise, decision‑oriented materials for senior executives and translating leadership decisions into clear actions, responsibilities, and timelines. Experience maintaining disciplined follow‑through across multiple functions, stakeholder groups, and concurrent priorities. Experience designing and improving scalable processes, governance routines, action‑tracking practices, or management information that strengthen coordination and accountability. Experience working across strategy, Finance, technology, workforce, governance, and business teams in a complex, matrixed organization.

Pay Range: $185,400 - $278,200

Disclosure Statement: The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. 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. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job‑related factors permitted by law.

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.

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 select 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.

Company Information

#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. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life‑shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion‑dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. 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 APOL1-mediated kidney disease, acute and neuropathic pain, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha‑1 antitrypsin deficiency . Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex's global headquarters is now located in Boston's Innovation District and its international headquarters is 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 14 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 Facebook, Twitter/X , LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. The diversity and authenticity of our people is part of what makes Vertex unique, and we recognize that each employee brings diverse perspectives and strengths. By embracing those strengths and celebrating differences, we are fostering an inclusive culture where each of us can bring our authentic selves to work, inspire innovation together, and change people’s lives. Our vision is clear: to be the place where an authentic, diverse mix of talent want to come, to stay, and do their best work.