Director, Field Effectiveness

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 192,000 - 288,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals LLC is seeking a Director, Field Effectiveness to lead a high‑performing team and partner with BU leadership to maximize field performance through targeting, incentives, and account planning.

This senior role requires strategic vision, analytical rigor, and cross‑functional influence to drive ROI and improve commercial results across the field.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, life sciences, analytics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in commercial operations, sales operations, field effectiveness, incentive compensation, analytics, or related functions within the biopharmaceutical or healthcare industry.
• 5+ years of people leadership experience, including leading and developing high‑performing teams and people managers.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with senior Business Unit and Commercial leaders.
• Deep expertise in one or more core field effectiveness disciplines, including targeting, incentive compensation, account planning, sales force effectiveness, or field operations.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to translate insights into actionable business recommendations.
• Proven ability to lead in a highly cross‑functional, matrixed environment and influence without direct authority.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of Associate Directors and Sr Managers responsible for partnering with BU leadership to drive field effectiveness strategies and execution.
• Serve as the senior leader for field effectiveness solutions and innovation, including: Targeting strategy and optimization; Incentive compensation design; Subnational performance analytics projects.
• Establish and monitor KPIs to assess field effectiveness, identify performance trends, and recommend actions to improve ROI.
• Use data, analytics, and field insights to identify opportunities to enhance sales force productivity, customer engagement, and resource allocation.
• Partner with Customer Strategy & Execution to translate strategic objectives into field solutions that improve outcomes.
• Oversee the development and refinement of account planning capabilities, tools, processes, and expectations.
• Drive cross‑functional alignment across Commercial Operations, Analytics, Marketing, Finance, HR, and IT.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, accountability, and talent development.

Skills

Leadership

Analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Data-driven insights

Education

Bachelor’s degree

MBA/MPH (preferred)

Tools

CRM platforms

Performance dashboards

Incentive compensation systems

Job description

Job Description Job Summary

Vertex is seeking a Director, Field Effectiveness to understand, analyze, and build solutions to maximize field effectiveness and drive commercial performance. This leader will play a critical role in shaping and advancing field effectiveness strategies, with a focus on targeting effectiveness, incentive design, account planning, and field force performance optimization. The Director will serve as a key thought partner to the sales and business unit leadership, field team leaders, I&A partners, and other cross‑functional stakeholders to ensure field teams are equipped with the insights, tools, and performance frameworks needed to execute with impact. This role requires a strong balance of strategic leadership, analytical rigor, team development, and cross‑functional influence.

Key Responsibilities

Lead, coach, and develop a team of Associate Directors and Sr Managers responsible for partnering with the Business Unit leadership to drive field effectiveness strategies and execution. Serve as the senior leader for field effectiveness solutions and innovation, including: Targeting strategy and optimization Incentive compensation design Subnational performance monitoring and analytics projects to assess performance drivers and drivers to field force effectiveness Account planning strategy and execution Field force effectiveness measurement and continuous improvement Act as a strategic advisor to BU and Commercial leaders on field performance, emerging opportunities, and risks. Establish and monitor KPIs to assess field effectiveness, identify performance trends, and recommend actions to improve execution and ROI. Use data, analytics, and field insights to identify opportunities to enhance sales force productivity, customer engagement, and resource allocation. Partner closely with Customer Strategy & Execution team to liaise effectively with Business Unit leadership, understanding strategic objectives and translate them into field effectiveness solutions that improve execution and business outcomes. Oversee the development and refinement of customer targeting approaches, ensuring alignment with brand strategy, customer segmentation, market dynamics, and field deployment priorities. Lead incentive compensation strategy in partnership with Sales, HR, Finance, and Field Programs & Operations, ensuring plans are motivating, aligned to business priorities, and resonating with field team members. Guide the evolution of account planning capabilities, including frameworks, tools, processes, and expectations that enable high‑quality strategic planning across the field organization. Drive cross‑functional alignment across Commercial Operations, Analytics, Market Access, Marketing, Finance, HR, and IT to support scalable and effective field enablement solutions. Foster a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, accountability, and talent development within the team.

Qualifications and Experience

Minimum Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in business, life sciences, analytics, or a related field.
10+ years of relevant experience in commercial operations, sales operations, field effectiveness, incentive compensation, analytics, or related functions within the biopharmaceutical or healthcare industry.
5+ years of people leadership experience, including leading and developing high‑performing teams and people managers.
Demonstrated experience partnering with senior Business Unit and Commercial leaders.
Deep expertise in one or more core field effectiveness disciplines, including targeting, incentive compensation, account planning, sales force effectiveness, or field operations.
Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with the ability to translate insights into actionable business recommendations.
Proven ability to lead in a highly cross‑functional, matrixed environment and influence without direct authority.
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree such as MBA, MPH, or other relevant graduate degree.
Experience supporting multiple brands, Business Units, or specialty field teams.
Knowledge of launch, growth, and mature brand field effectiveness needs across different stages of the product lifecycle.
Experience with commercial data, CRM platforms, incentive compensation systems, and performance dashboards.
Strong understanding of compliance and governance considerations related to field execution and incentive design.

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

$192,000 - $288,000

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.

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.