Comparative Medicine Manager

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 113,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. is seeking a Comparative Medicine Manager to lead vivarium operations at the San Diego site and partner with Seattle activities.

The role emphasizes IACUC compliance, animal welfare, and cross-site process harmonization to support fast, compliant research timelines. The successful candidate will oversee procurement, training, onboarding, and documentation, while coordinating with internal teams and external partners to drive operational excellence in a global context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, veterinary technology, life sciences, or related field.
• Master's degree in a relevant scientific or operational discipline preferred.
• Experience supporting vivarium operations, laboratory animal research, or in vivo study execution.
• Experience with IACUC processes, animal welfare regulations, and related compliance requirements.
• Experience developing SOPs, policies, training materials, and procedural documentation.
• Experience training technical users and supporting onboarding in a research environment.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects and working with global stakeholders is preferred.
• AALAS certification (LATg), ILAM and/or CPIA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Vivarium operations support to maintain day-to-day operations and ensure compliant, uninterrupted research support.
• Manage contract personnel for the San Diego vivarium.
• Coordinate Vertex activities at the contracted site for Seattle.
• Harmonize processes across sites where applicable.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to identify operational needs and implement improvements.
• Monitor workflows to align with institutional, regulatory, and animal welfare standards.
• Provide weekend support as needed.
• Coordinate global animal procurement to source animals for research programs.
• Collaborate with internal research teams, vendors, and external partners to support study timelines.
• Assist with IACUC management activities, policy development, and compliance.
• Provide technical support for animal studies and onboarding of in vivo users.
• Develop and maintain training content related to vivarium operations and compliance.
• Document and continuously improve SOPs and procedures.

Skills

Project management

Animal care

Facilities coordination

IACUC knowledge

Vendor coordination

Training and onboarding

Education

Bachelor's degree in animal science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Job description

Job Description General Summary: The Comparative Medicine Manager, Vivarium Operations is responsible for leading, supporting, and coordinating key aspects of the San Diego Research Site Vivarium and IACUC operations/management, with a primary focus on maintaining the day-to-day operations of the San Diego vivarium. This role serves as a critical partner to research teams by overseeing animal procurement, supporting IACUC-related processes, providing technical expertise for animal studies, and ensuring in vivo users are appropriately trained and onboarded. This person would serve as the Global Comparative Medicine liaison for San Diego. The position also plays a central role in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of IACUC policies, guidelines, SOPs, and training materials to promote compliance, operational excellence, and high standards of animal welfare.

Key Responsibilities:

Vivarium Operations Support and help maintain the day-to-day operations of the San Diego vivarium to ensure efficient, compliant, and uninterrupted research support.

Management of contract personnel for San Diego vivarium.

Management of Vertex activities at contracted site for Seattle.

Work across sites for harmonization of processes as applicable.

Partner with internal stakeholders and vivarium staff to identify operational needs and implement process improvements.

Monitor operational workflows to ensure alignment with institutional, regulatory, and animal welfare standards in accordance with local guidelines.

Provide weekend support as needed.

Global Animal Procurement Coordinate global animal procurement activities to ensure timely and reliable sourcing of animals for research programs.

Collaborate with internal research teams, vendors, and external partners to support study timelines and business needs.

Track procurement logistics and resolve issues related to supply, scheduling, or study support.

IACUC Support and Compliance Assist with IACUC management activities, including protocol-related support, documentation, and coordination with internal stakeholders. Contribute to the development, revision, and implementation of IACUC policies, guidelines, and SOPs. Help ensure vivarium and in vivo activities are conducted in compliance with institutional policies and applicable regulations. Support inspection readiness and corrective actions as needed.

Technical Support for Animal Studies Oversee technical support for animal studies and serve as a resource to in vivo users and project teams. Assist with study planning and execution by offering operational/technical support. Troubleshoot technical or operational issues that may impact in vivo research activities.

Training and Onboarding Work with Global Trainer on providing technical training to in vivo users to ensure safe, effective, and compliant conduct of animal studies. Assist in the onboarding of new in vivo users, including orientation to vivarium procedures, expectations, and required training. Work with Global Trainer to develop and maintain training content related to vivarium operations, animal procedures, and compliance requirements. Promote best practices in animal care, handling, documentation, and study conduct.

Documentation and Continuous Improvement Develop, update, and maintain training documentation, SOPs, guidance documents, and other controlled content. Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, user experience, and compliance processes across vivarium activities. Support standardization of practices across local and global vivarium-related functions where applicable.

Education and Experience

Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, veterinary technology, life sciences, or related field required. A master's degree in a relevant scientific or operational discipline is preferred. Experience supporting vivarium operations, laboratory animal research, or in vivo study execution. Experience with IACUC processes, animal welfare regulations, and related compliance requirements. Experience developing SOPs, policies, training materials, and procedural documentation. Experience training technical users and supporting onboarding in a research environment preferred. Experience coordinating cross-functional projects and working with global stakeholders is preferred. AALAS certification (LATg), ILAM and/or CPIA preferred.

Preferred Attributes, Skills, and Abilities

Preferred Attributes, Skills, and Abilities Ability to provide hands‑on and technical support for in vivo studies. Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to develop clear, effective, and compliant policies, SOPs, guidelines, and training content.

Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across scientific, operational, and compliance teams. Detail‑oriented with a commitment to quality, animal welfare, and operational excellence.

Demonstrated ability to work in a fast‑paced, matrixed, and collaborative research environment. Strong problem‑solving skills and a proactive approach to operational challenges.

Ability to influence and support adoption of best practices across in vivo users and stakeholders. Global mindset with the ability to coordinate across sites, functions, and external partners.

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: $113,400 - $170,000

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.

• Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week
• 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

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.