Associate Director, Salesforce Technical Architect

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 164,000 - 247,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC in Boston seeks a Salesforce Technical Architecture & Strategy Lead to direct platform strategy for Mosaic (Salesforce-based) across CF and Kidney initiatives, ensuring scalable, compliant solutions within the DTE team.

You will drive DevOps models, CI/CD, release management, risk mitigation, and partnerships with onshore/offshore teams, delivering AI-enabled capabilities while upholding quality and patient safety.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant work experience.
• Functional/Technical knowledge in Cell and Gene Therapy, Patient portal, Chain of Identity, Capacity Planning, and related supply chain systems
• Experience in Salesforce platforms
• Experience in Patient and/or Product Scheduling
• Experience with Salesforce Agentforce and other AI automation tools
• Biotech or Pharmaceutical Industry Experience
• Experience working with SaaS solutions and vendors
• Experience handling GxP systems and security requirements including Disaster Recovery, Backup & Restore, Data Retention and Archival
• Experience with stakeholder engagement, vendor management, and directing platform teams
• Some experience in four architecture specialization areas (business, information, infrastructure, software)
• Experience working within and leading in an AGILE team framework, across multiple business units and functions

Responsibilities

• Lead platform architecture, strategy and technical initiatives for Mosaic (Salesforce-based technology) for our small molecule businesses, starting with CF and working closely with our Kidney team.
• Define, manage and optimize DevOps framework / delivery operating model for CF and scaling to other disease areas like Kidney.
• Drive our call center implementation and ensure cross-disease area architecture considerations.
• Understand system architecture and technical needs, create, analyze, and validate detailed architectural, functional and technical specifications.
• Facilitate architecture and design sessions with cross functional and development teams to define and align on the solution, systems architecture, design, and other SLC deliverables.
• Leverage strong communication and analytical skills, technical expertise to understand, document, assess, and drive technical architecture/design needs to accelerate process enhancement and operational efficiencies.
• Providing input to strategic direction, contributing to the development of roadmaps to achieve the long-term and short-term capability needs of the patient services business
• Achieve high stakeholder satisfaction and engagement levels across various levels of leadership within the organization.
• Participate in reviewing, planning, testing, and implementing regularly scheduled both internal and vendor releases/upgrades.
• Partner with offshore team members, functions, QA stakeholders, and IT peers for platform support, as well as enhancements and projects.
• Develop collaborative relationships with peers in IT, Quality, Vendor partners, and other teams to help design, develop, enhance, and deliver solutions that meet business goals and objectives.
• Facilitate release management and production release schedule in coordination with cross-functional partners and other platform teams
• Lead platform communications (e.g. status reporting, downtime, releases) to all stakeholder groups
• Serve as Operations SME for enhancements, software upgrades, implementations, and integration projects, providing product and GxP expertise
• Responsible for risk and mitigation management to ensure high quality, on-time delivery
• Proactively champion, educate, and enhance delivery practices to introduce process efficiencies
• Manage CI/CD pipeline and software development capacity across teams
• Provide input into budget/forecasting estimates and resource allocation
• Coach and lead Vertex colleagues and onshore/offshore managed service providers

Skills

Executive communication

Agile SDLC

DevOps

Architecture strategy

Stakeholder management

GxP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Software Eng

Tools

Salesforce

Agentforce

CI/CD tools

Job description

Job Description General Summary: The Salesforce Technical Architecture & Strategy Lead plays a pivotal role as a cornerstone of our Data, Technology, and Engineering (DTE) team. This role is instrumental in driving the success of the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patient services platform built on Salesforce, which integrates critical capabilities to support our patient support teams. As a key leader, you will collaborate with cross‑functional teams, design and implement cutting‑edge solutions, and ensure the seamless operation of our Salesforce platform. Your expertise will directly impact our ability to deliver life‑changing therapies to patients, while maintaining the highest standards of quality, compliance, and innovation. This is an opportunity to lead transformative projects, contribute to AI‑driven initiatives, and shape the future of healthcare technology at Vertex

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead platform architecture, strategy and technical initiatives for Mosaic (Salesforce‑based technology) for our small molecule businesses, starting with CF and working closely with our Kidney team.

Define, manage and optimize DevOps framework / delivery operating model for CF and scaling to other disease areas like Kidney Drive our call center implementation and ensure cross‑disease area architecture considerations

Understand system architecture and technical needs, create, analyze, and validate detailed architectural, functional and technical specifications, facilitate architecture and design sessions with cross functional and development teams to define and align on the solution, systems architecture, design, and other SLC deliverables.

Leverage strong communication and analytical skills, technical expertise to understand, document, assess, and drive technical architecture/design needs to accelerate process enhancement and operational efficiencies.

Providing input to strategic direction, contributing to the development of roadmaps to achieve the long‑term and short‑term capability needs of the patient services business

Achieve high stakeholder satisfaction and engagement levels across various levels of leadership within the organization.

Participate in reviewing, planning, testing, and implementing regularly scheduled both internal and vendor releases/upgrades.

Partner with offshore team members, functions, QA stakeholders, and IT peers for platform support, as well as enhancements and projects.

Develop collaborative relationships with peers in IT, Quality, Vendor partners, and other teams to help design, develop, enhance, and deliver solutions that meet business goals and objectives.

Facilitate release management and production release schedule in coordination with cross‑functional partners and other platform teams

Lead platform communications (e.g. status reporting, downtime, releases) to all stakeholder groups

Serve as Operations SME for enhancements, software upgrades, implementations, and integration projects, providing product and GxP expertise

Responsible for risk and mitigation management to ensure high quality, on‑time delivery

Proactively champion, educate, and enhance delivery practices to introduce process efficiencies

Manage CI/CD pipeline and software development capacity across teams

Provide input into budget/forecasting estimates and resource allocation

Coach and lead Vertex colleagues and onshore/offshore managed service providers

Required Experience:

5+ years of relevant work experience

Functional/Technical knowledge in Cell and Gene Therapy, Patient portal, Chain of Identity, Capacity Planning, and related supply chain systems

Experience in Salesforce platforms

Experience in Patient and/or Product Scheduling

Experience with Salesforce Agentforce and other AI automation tools

Biotech or Pharmaceutical Industry Experience

Experience working with SaaS solutions and vendors

Experience handling GxP systems and security requirements including Disaster Recovery, Backup & Restore, Data Retention and Archival

Experience with stakeholder engagement, vendor management, and directing platform teams

Some experience in four architecture specialization areas (business, information, infrastructure, software)

Experience working within and leading in an AGILE team framework, across multiple business units and functions

Knowledge and Skills:

Software vendor and MSP management expertise

Executive‑level communication skills; ability to explain complex topics in a digestible way

Ability to drive continuous operational improvement

Proven ability to stay abreast of industry and technology trends

Expert knowledge in Agile SDLC, DevOps and GxP

Functional and technical ability with configurations, customisations, and authoring SDLC documentation

Demonstrated ability to interpret functional requirements and specifications to convert into technical or process‑driven solutions and configurations.

Exceptional analytical and problem‑solving skills with attention to detail

Flexibility to adapt to a continually changing and fast‑paced business environment.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, software engineering or other related technology degree 8 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience

#LI-HYBRID 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: $164,400 - $246,600 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. #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.