Director, Disease Strategy Finance

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 181,000 - 271,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex is a global biotechnology company based in Boston, seeking a senior FP&A leader to join our DST Finance team. You will partner with Disease Area Executives and Program Managers, building models, evaluating business cases, and guiding strategic planning across multiple programs in development and commercialization stages.

The role requires 10+ years in FP&A or related biotech functions, expert financial modeling, and outstanding communication to influence senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, business, economics or accounting required.
• 10+ years in FP&A or related biotech roles with strong modeling and valuation skills.
• Excellent communication and ability to influence senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Represent Finance in DSTs and develop reporting for programs.
• Provide strategic decision support on financial impacts of business cases.
• Collaborate with Disease Area Executives, PMs, and other finance teams.
• Lead process improvements and drive efficiency across DST Finance.

Skills

Financial modeling

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in finance, business, economics or accounting

MBA preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Hyperion

Job description

Job Description Vertex is growing at a rapid pace with challenging and exciting opportunities for motivated professionals who are keen to contribute to the Vertex mission to invest in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. Our finance function is integral to achieving our company’s strategic goals, providing critical insights and analysis in support of decision-making across the organization. By joining our function, you will become part of a fast-moving, forward-thinking team to support the ongoing growth of a leader in the biotechnology industry.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Represents Finance in DSTs across the organization, coordinates appropriate financial analyses, and drives the development of reporting and analytics for each program. Provides strategic decision support to enable clear understanding of financial impacts of potential business cases and/or planning scenario for multiple diseases at different stages of development. Partners with Disease Area Executives, Program Managers and a wide range of core members from different areas of Vertex represented on Disease Strategy Teams. Coordinates with other members of the finance team including Corporate, BD, R&D, Commercial, BSMO Finance as well as other CFO organization areas such as Accounting, Tax, and Treasury, promoting strong communication and collaboration across. Proactively identifies, designs and implements enhancements to existing processes to drive efficiency across the teams. Represents DST Finance as a center of excellence for all modeling, valuation and ad hoc analysis used for a wide range of decisions, including presentations at Executive Committee level meetings. Opportunity to help build a high-performing Finance team that meets increasing needs and requirements across the business and helps drive the overall organization forward.

Basic Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business, Economics or Accounting required. MBA and/or other advanced degree preferred. 10+ years of experience in FP&A, Strategy, Business Development, Portfolio Management, or related roles within the biotech, pharma, or life sciences industry, with a focus on a deep understanding of drug discovery, development, manufacturing, regulatory, and commercialization. Expert analytical and financial modeling skills to evaluate a broad range of financial questions – especially valuation and strategic planning. Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and a proven ability to present complex financial insights to senior stakeholders. Demonstrated success in leading process improvement and change management initiatives.

Important Knowledge and Skills:

Experience in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotech or consulting. Business partnering with C‑Suite and executive level members of the organization. Strategic thinking and problem‑solving. Strong analytical and financial modeling skills to evaluate a broad range of financial questions – especially portfolio analysis, valuation, and complex business questions. Expertise with Excel and PowerPoint; Working knowledge of Hyperion or similar enterprise planning tools. Ability to lead and drive change in an evolving business environment, coordinating processes involving large numbers of people, complex systems, and tight deadlines to deliver innovative solutions. Strong business acumen and judgment, and knowledge of the company's markets/products and industry trends. Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and an eagerness to collaborate with colleagues (within or outside of finance) in sharing insights and learnings and partnering to ensure timely execution of project plans. Possesses a continuous improvement mindset, with flexibility and ability to adapt to change.

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.

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:

$180,700 - $271,100 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.

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.