AI Transformation Portfolio Manager Director

Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 186,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is seeking a Director to lead AI portfolio management within the Data, Technology and Engineering organization. You will oversee governance, budgeting, and execution of AI-driven workforce initiatives across multiple functions, coordinating waves, sprints, and MVP timing to deliver strategic value while ensuring responsible AI and data governance.

You will partner with the CTO and senior leaders to align roadmaps with enterprise priorities, manage vendor dependencies, and

Qualifications

• Advanced degree with strong experience in biotechnology in an information technology setting.
• Proven track record in portfolio, program, and project management across complex IT initiatives.
• Strong communication and presentation skills for technical and non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead the portfolio management of AI-driven workforce transformation initiatives across DTE and partner functions.
• Maintain portfolio roadmaps and alignment with strategic priorities and capacity planning.
• Develop governance processes and oversee prioritization, sequencing, and delivery of initiatives.
• Prepare materials for portfolio reviews and present to executive leadership.
• Manage portfolio financials including budgeting, forecasting, accruals, and cost-to-complete visibility.
• Mentor and coach PMs to ensure delivery excellence across AI implementations.
• Support adoption of AI-enabled capabilities and governance across functions.
• Coordinate across initiatives involving data platforms, AI models, and enterprise workflows.

Skills

Portfolio management

Cross-functional leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

Executive communication

Regulatory & governance

AI lifecycle knowledge

Vendor management

Strategic planning

Education

Advanced degree in biotechnology or IT-related field

Job description

Job DescriptionGeneral SummaryVertex’s Data, Technology and Engineering (DTE) organization is seeking a Director, AI Portfolio Management to join the Project Management and Strategic Operations (PMSO) team. PMSO is responsible for streamlining and simplifying the work of Vertex’s data and technology teams and supporting the successful deployment of new technologies across the global enterprise.This role reports to the Senior Director, Project Management and Strategic Operations and partners closely with the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to oversee a portfolio of AI-driven initiatives supporting Vertex’s ambition of a tech-enabled workforce.The role requires leadership across portfolio planning, financial management, governance, and oversight of program, project, and change management. The portfolio is organized around AI-driven initiatives prioritized by value, achievability, and risk to business, with implementation supported through waves, sprint plans, timelines, investment planning, and executive review processes.This role will also help ensure AI-driven initiatives are delivered with appropriate oversight across responsible AI, data privacy, cybersecurity, and AI lifecycle management considerations, in alignment with enterprise governance and operational requirements.Key ResponsibilitiesLead the portfolio management of AI-driven workforce transformation initiatives across DTE and partner functions.Maintain portfolio roadmaps, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities, resource needs, and capacity planning.Develop and manage governance processes to ensure alignment to business requirements, executive sponsorship, and strategic priorities.Support prioritization, sequencing, and delivery of initiatives based on value to enterprise, total expected value, annual savings, achievability, risk to business, implementation timeline, investment need, current budget, and cost to complete.Partner with stakeholders to oversee initiative execution through waves, sprint plans, MVP timing, and execution timelines.Prepare materials for regular portfolio reviews and presentations to executive leadership, and help facilitate strategy and portfolio review meetings with senior leaders.Communicate portfolio status, risks, issues, and decisions to DTE leadership and the Senior Director, Project Management and Strategic Operations.Influence cross-functional stakeholders to support sound decision-making and proactive risk and issue mitigation across the portfolio.Manage portfolio financials, including budget planning, forecasting, accruals, investment tracking, value realization, and cost-to-complete visibility.Lead, coach, and support project and program managers to ensure excellence in delivery across AI and technology implementations.Support adoption of AI-enabled capabilities and end-to-end process implementation across functions to expand workforce capacity and enable growth without proportional headcount expansion.Coordinate across initiatives involving enterprise workflow orchestration, natural language interfaces, governed enterprise data, live data integration, and AI agents.Partner with stakeholders to support initiatives involving governed enterprise data catalogs, semantic layers, queryable enterprise data, and enterprise AI data platforms.Support initiatives with regulatory and compliance dimensions, including health authority guidance, country-specific requirements, structured data exchange, and GxP validation considerations where applicable.Engage with external vendors, platform providers, and implementation partners as needed to support delivery, reduce vendor reliance where appropriate, and manage vendor-related dependencies and risks.Support the responsible and effective deployment of AI-driven initiatives through appropriate governance, risk awareness, and cross-functional oversight.Incorporate data privacy, data governance, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity considerations into portfolio planning, prioritization, and execution.Support oversight of the AI lifecycle across initiatives, including planning, deployment, adoption, monitoring, and ongoing operational considerations.Partner with technical, business, and governance stakeholders to help establish scalable operating approaches for AI-enabled solutions across the enterprise.ScopeThis role supports a portfolio of AI-driven initiatives advancing Vertex’s tech-enabled workforce across functions including Commercial, Patient & External Affairs, Global Medical Affairs, Regulatory & Quality, Research & Preclinical Sciences, Manufacturing & Supply Chain, General & Administrative, and the enterprise.Examples of initiative areas include:Self-Service Data & AI over Business Intelligence (BI)Enterprise AI AssistantEnterprise Data Unification / Enterprise Data PlatformUnified Field Customer Relationship Management (CRM) & Healthcare Professional (HCP) Data FoundationOther AI-enabled efforts designed to increase workforce capacity and support growth without proportional headcount expansionThese initiatives include capabilities such as governed enterprise data, natural language access to trusted data, enterprise workflow orchestration, live data integration, agentic solutions, semantic layers, AI models, and platforms such as Workday and ServiceNow.QualificationsAdvanced degree with strong experience in biotechnology in an information technology setting.10 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.Minimum of 5 years of experience in project, program, and/or portfolio management, with exceptional organization and planning skills.Proven track record of managing complex information technology projects, coordinating cross-functional teams, and delivering results within defined timelines and budgets.Strong experience managing the financial components of project, program, and portfolio delivery, including budgeting, forecasting, accruals, investment tracking, and cost-to-complete visibility.Exceptional communication and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate technology, data, software engineering, and AI-enabled transformation concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.Strong leadership skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across functions and at all levels of the organization.Clear and succinct written and verbal communication skills.Demonstrated ability to mentor, coach, and motivate program and project managers.Familiarity with responsible AI, data privacy, cybersecurity, and enterprise governance considerations for AI and data initiatives.Familiarity with AI lifecycle and operational considerations, including deployment, adoption, monitoring, and support of AI-enabled capabilities.Understanding of enterprise data and AI platforms, governed data foundations, and the operational considerations associated with scaling AI solutions in a complex environment.Preferred ExperienceExperience supporting enterprise technology deployments and operational activities in complex, cross-functional environments.Experience working with AI-enabled initiatives involving workflow orchestration, enterprise system integration, governed data foundations, semantic layers, natural language analytics, live data, agentic solutions, and enterprise AI platforms.Experience managing portfolios organized through wave-based prioritization and sprint-based implementation.Familiarity with regulatory and quality-oriented AI implementations involving health authority guidance, country-specific requirements, structured data exchange, and GxP validation.Experience working with vendor-supported or partner-enabled technology initiatives, including vendor evaluations, vendor risk considerations, and platform implementation dependencies.Experience working with AI-enabled initiatives that require coordination across governance, compliance, privacy, cybersecurity, and enterprise platform stakeholders.Experience supporting the operationalization of AI solutions in enterprise environments, including lifecycle, adoption, and ongoing performance considerations.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.Pay Range:$185,600 - $278,400Disclosure 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 EligibleFlex 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 select2. 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-HybridCompany InformationVertex 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]