Associate Director QA, GMP External Operations

MFS Investments; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 157,000 - 235,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston, MA seeks an Associate Director of Quality Assurance for GMP External Operations to oversee external manufacturing partners from tech transfer through commercial production. You will lead QA oversight, risk management, and compliance programs to ensure product quality and regulatory readiness.

The role requires deep GMP knowledge for biologics/cell therapies, strong cross-functional leadership, and the ability to drive quality improvements across CDMOs while

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in a regulated pharmaceutical environment.
• 5+ years in a management/supervisory role.
• Knowledge of global GMP/regulatory requirements for Cell & Gene Therapy and/or Biologics (EU GMP, FDA).
• Strong QA operations knowledge across development, tech transfer, launch, and commercial manufacturing.
• Experience with autologous cell therapy preferred.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Provide end-to-end QA oversight across CDMOs from process development through commercial manufacturing.
• Lead QA governance, escalation, and performance expectations; identify/mitigate risks.
• Oversee deviations, investigations, CAPAs, change controls, and quality risk assessments.
• Monitor audit/regulatory readiness and ensure GMP compliance.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to enable compliant and reliable execution.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Tools

GMP

Job description

# Associate Director QA, GMP External OperationsVertex PharmaceuticalsBoston, MAFull-TimeNov 11, 2026Pharmaceutical## Job Description**Job Description****General/Position Summary:**The Associate Director, Quality Assurance GMP Operations provides end-to-end QA oversight of external manufacturing operations across CDMOs, from process development and technology transfer through manufacturing readiness, ramp-up, and routine clinical and commercial execution. The role ensures compliant and reliable operations, effective Quality risk management, and strong internal and external partnerships to support product quality and supply. The role partners closely with internal technical, manufacturing, supply chain, regulatory, and Quality functions, as well as external CDMO Quality and Operations teams, to establish robust and sustainable operations, enable successful transfer and scale-up, resolve operational Quality issues, and maintain a state of compliance throughout the product lifecycle. A key expectation is the ability to closely collaborate and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders for advancing quality outcomes and operational excellence.**Key Duties & Responsibilities:** **Leadership & Quality Strategy** · Provide Quality leadership and strategic direction across development, technology transfer, launch, and commercial manufacturing.· Establish the QA oversight model, governance, escalation pathways, and performance expectations.· Identify and mitigate key Quality and operational risks.· Advance digitization and technology-enabled solutions to improve QA oversight, efficiency, and decision making. **QA Operational Oversight**· Provide end-to-end QA oversight from process development and technology transfer through baseline operations, ramp-up, and routine manufacturing execution.· Ensure manufacturing and product disposition activities meet regulatory and GMP requirements.· Provide Quality leadership for operational issues impacting manufacturing, product quality, or supply.· Partner cross-functionally to enable compliant and reliable execution.**QMS & Compliance**· Ensure compliance with applicable GMP requirements, regulatory commitments, and the Quality Management System.· Oversee deviations, investigations, CAPAs, change controls, and Quality risk assessments.· Monitor Quality and compliance performance and emerging risks.· Maintain audit and regulatory inspection readiness. **External Manufacturing Quality**· Provide independent Quality oversight and governance of CDMO manufacturing operations.· Assess Quality readiness during technology transfer, start-up, ramp-up, and routine manufacturing.· Monitor CDMO Quality performance and ensure timely escalation and resolution of significant issues.· Build effective CDMO partnerships while maintaining clear Quality accountability. **Required Education Level**:Batchelor's degree or relevant comparable background. Masters preferred. **Required Experience:**8+ years of experience and 5+ years in a management/supervisory role, or the equivalent combination of education and experience in a regulated pharmaceutical environment **Required Knowledge/Skills:**· In-depth knowledge of global GMP regulatory requirements for Cell & Gene Therapy and/or Biologics, including EU GMPs and FDA requirements.· Strong knowledge of QA operations and external manufacturing across development, technology transfer, launch, and commercial manufacturing.· QA operational experience in autologous cell therapy preferred.· Broad technical knowledge of cell therapy processing, aseptic manufacturing, analytical testing, and fill/finish.· Demonstrated capability in strategic planning, risk management, root cause analysis, data analytics, and operational excellence.· Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and risk-based decision-making skills.· Excellent communication and influencing skills with the ability to build effective internal and external partnerships and promote a strong Quality culture. $156,600 - $234,800Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible