Director, AI Governance & Policy

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 184,000 - 276,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity awards

Total Rewards benefits

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc in Boston seeks a Director of AI Governance & Policy to lead enterprise AI governance, policy development, risk management, and regulatory compliance. You will oversee governance platforms, AI inventories, and policy management while partnering with Legal, Privacy, InfoSec, and Quality teams to ensure responsible AI adoption.

The role demands strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in a regulated biopharma

Qualifications

• Deep expertise in AI governance, Responsible AI, risk management, and enterprise governance frameworks.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and standards (FDA, GDPR, HIPAA, ISO 42001).
• Experience designing and operating enterprise AI governance programs, policies, and platforms.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the enterprise AI Governance strategy aligned with Vertex’s priorities.
• Establish Responsible AI framework, policies, standards and operating model.
• Lead AI governance processes including intake, review, approval, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Own AI Governance platform strategy, inventory, policy management, risk assessments, workflow automation, reporting, and compliance evidence management.
• Partner with Legal, Privacy, Compliance, Quality, Security, Data Governance, and Data & AI Product teams to embed governance-by-design.
• Lead the AI Policy Council and AI Review process across the enterprise.
• Promote AI literacy and Responsible AI adoption through training and stakeholder engagement.

Skills

AI governance

Responsible AI

Risk management

Enterprise governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/DS/Engineering/Law/Public Policy

Advanced degree (MBA, Master’s, JD) preferred

Job description

Job Description General / Position Summary

Vertex is entering a transformative phase in its AI journey, where responsible, trusted, and compliant AI is foundational to accelerating innovation, improving patient outcomes, and enabling enterprise-wide productivity. We are seeking a visionary and execution-focused Director, AI Governance & Policy to lead Vertex’s enterprise AI Governance program and establish the policies, operating models, and technology platforms that enable safe, ethical, and business-enabling adoption of AI across the company. This role will lead the governance of generative AI, agentic AI, machine learning, and AI-enabled business solutions. The Director will oversee AI policy development, risk management, governance operations, technology platforms, regulatory compliance, and Responsible AI practices while partnering closely with Data Governance, Information Security, Privacy, Legal, Compliance, Quality, and business stakeholders. The role will ensure AI innovation scales responsibly while balancing risk management with business value realization.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the enterprise AI Governance strategy aligned with Vertex’s business, data, and AI priorities.
• Establish and evolve Vertex’s Responsible AI framework, policies, standards, and governance operating model.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders on AI governance, risk, compliance, and emerging AI technologies.
• Monitor industry trends, regulations, and best practices to continuously mature Vertex’s AI governance capabilities.

AI Governance, Risk & Platform Ownership

• Lead enterprise AI governance processes, including AI intake, review, approval, monitoring, and lifecycle management.
• Define and maintain AI risk management frameworks, controls, and governance standards aligned with regulatory and industry expectations.
• Own the strategy, roadmap, implementation, and operation of the enterprise AI Governance platform, including AI inventories, policy management, risk assessments, workflow automation, monitoring, reporting, and compliance evidence management.
• Establish governance approaches for emerging AI technologies including generative AI, AI agents, knowledge graphs, and retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) solutions.
• Ensure appropriate oversight, documentation, auditability, and accountability for AI systems, models, and agents deployed across the enterprise.

Responsible AI, Compliance & Cross-functional Leadership

• Develop and maintain enterprise AI policies, standards, and guidelines supporting both regulated and non-regulated use cases.
• Ensure compliance with evolving AI regulations, industry frameworks, and internal governance requirements.
• Partner with Legal, Privacy, Compliance, Quality, Information Security, Data Governance, and Data & AI Product teams to embed governance-by-design into AI solutions.
• Lead the AI Policy Council and AI Review process, ensuring effective governance, decision-making, and stakeholder alignment across the enterprise.

Culture, Training & Enablement

• Promote AI literacy and Responsible AI adoption through training, communications, and stakeholder engagement programs.
• Build a culture that enables innovation while maintaining trust, transparency, compliance, and accountability.

Knowledge & Skills

• Deep expertise in AI governance, Responsible AI, risk management, and enterprise governance frameworks.
• Strong understanding of generative AI, large language models (LLMs), AI agents, machine learning, knowledge graphs, and RAG architectures.
• Experience designing and operating enterprise AI governance programs, policies, operating models, and governance technology platforms.
• Knowledge of AI-related regulatory requirements and standards, including FDA, EMA, EU AI Act, HIPAA, GDPR, and GxP environments.
• Strong understanding of data governance, privacy, security, and enterprise technology controls.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders, lead cross-functional initiatives, and drive organizational change in a matrixed environment.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and strategic leadership skills.

Education & Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, Law, Public Policy, or a related field required. Advanced degree (MBA, Master’s, JD, or equivalent experience) preferred. 10+ years of experience in technology, governance, risk, compliance, data management, AI, or related disciplines. 5+ years of experience leading enterprise governance, risk management, compliance, AI governance, or technology platform programs. Experience owning or managing governance, risk, compliance, workflow, or policy management platforms strongly preferred. Experience in biopharmaceutical, healthcare, or other highly regulated industries strongly preferred. Professional certifications such as AIGP, CIPP, CRISC, CISM, ISO 42001, or related credentials are preferred.

#LI-HYBRID Pay Range: $184,000 - $276,000 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. 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.