Director, Kidney Forecasting & Analytics

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); Boston (MA); On-site; USD 192,000 - 288,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston is seeking a Director of Kidney forecasting to build and evolve forecasting capabilities across assets and disease areas. You will lead model development, refine logic, and ensure analyses inform strategy.

As a senior partner to Marketing, Finance, Market Access, Medical and other stakeholders, you will translate data into actionable insights, drive scenario planning, and support portfolio decisions with speed and rigor.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in biotech/pharmaceuticals in a quantitative role; or equivalent consulting experience.
• Significant experience supporting forecasting and analytics for complex assets, portfolios, or multiple disease areas.
• Demonstrated experience working with senior leadership to support commercial planning, financial forecasting, and strategic decision-making.
• Experience in kidney disease or adjacent therapeutic areas preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, refinement, and ongoing evolution of forecasting models across Vertex’s Kidney portfolio, including current and emerging programs.
• Support long-range planning, scenario planning, and near-term operational forecasting across multiple disease areas and business questions.
• Own and enhance forecast frameworks, model logic, core assumptions, analog selections, data inputs, and output structures to ensure models remain decision-useful and adaptable.
• Translate clinical developments, market events, competitive intelligence, access considerations, epidemiology, and other key inputs into robust forecast assumptions and scenarios.
• Deliver high-quality forecast outputs with clear articulation of key drivers, sensitivities, risks, opportunities, and uncertainties.
• Serve as a key forecasting partner to Marketing and other senior cross-functional stakeholders, providing objective perspective, strategic insight, and forecasting rigor.
• Synthesize large, complex, and evolving data sets into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the evolving kidney market, including treatment dynamics, patient flow, competitive shifts, and the broader landscape in which Vertex’s assets will compete.
• Support analyses that characterize market opportunity, demand evolution, treatment patterns, and movement of patients across existing and emerging therapies.
• Ensure key performance indicators can be clearly derived from forecast models and used to explain and track forecasted performance.
• Build forecast structures that enable transparent performance drivers, clear interpretation of outputs, and effective scenario assessment.
• Leverage relevant internal and external data sources to support forecasting assumptions and ensure alignment with broader portfolio data and analytics needs.

Skills

Forecasting methodologies

Analytical thinking

Commercial acumen

Stakeholder management

AI tooling familiarity

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Snowflake

SQL

Power BI

Python

SAS

VBA

Job description

Job Description General Summary

The Director will be responsible for building, maintaining, and continuously evolving Vertex’s Kidney forecasting capabilities across multiple assets and disease areas. This includes leading the development of robust forecast models, refining forecast logic and assumptions, and ensuring models remain responsive to new data, emerging insights, market events, and changes in program strategy. This leader will provide strategic forecasting and analytical support for key business questions, commercialization decisions, and portfolio planning needs. As a senior partner to Marketing, Commercial Strategy, Finance, Market Access, Medical, and other cross-functional stakeholders, the Director will bring objective perspective, strong business judgment, and deep forecasting expertise to help shape decisions across the Kidney portfolio. The ideal candidate will bring the ability to ramp quickly into a dynamic portfolio, manage multiple complex modeling and planning demands simultaneously, and operate effectively in an environment marked by ambiguity, evolving priorities, and high expectations for speed and rigor.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, refinement, and ongoing evolution of forecasting models across Vertex’s Kidney portfolio, including current and emerging programs.
• Support long-range planning, scenario planning, and near-term operational forecasting across multiple disease areas and business questions.
• Own and enhance forecast frameworks, model logic, core assumptions, analog selections, data inputs, and output structures to ensure models remain decision-useful and adaptable.
• Translate clinical developments, market events, competitive intelligence, access considerations, epidemiology, and other key inputs into robust forecast assumptions and scenarios.
• Deliver high-quality forecast outputs with clear articulation of key drivers, sensitivities, risks, opportunities, and uncertainties.
• Serve as a key forecasting partner to Marketing and other senior cross-functional stakeholders, providing objective perspective, strategic insight, and forecasting rigor.
• Synthesize large, complex, and evolving data sets into clear, actionable recommendations for senior leadership.
• Maintain a strong understanding of the evolving kidney market, including treatment dynamics, patient flow, competitive shifts, and the broader landscape in which Vertex’s assets will compete.
• Support analyses that characterize market opportunity, demand evolution, treatment patterns, and movement of patients across existing and emerging therapies.
• Ensure key performance indicators can be clearly derived from forecast models and used to explain and track forecasted performance.
• Build forecast structures that enable transparent performance drivers, clear interpretation of outputs, and effective scenario assessment.
• Leverage relevant internal and external data sources to support forecasting assumptions and ensure alignment with broader portfolio data and analytics needs.
• Partner cross-functionally with Marketing, Global Pricing and Market Access, Finance, HEOR, Marketing Science, Medical, Clinical, Commercial Strategy, and regional teams to align on key assumptions and planning needs.
• Help shape the market research and analytics inputs needed to inform forecast assumptions and support business decision-making.
• Ensure primary market research and analytics outputs are translated appropriately into forecast structure, assumptions, and strategic recommendations.
• Provide forecasting and analytical support for commercialization planning, launch readiness, lifecycle planning, and portfolio prioritization.
• Operate with urgency and sound judgment in a fast-moving environment, rapidly onboarding to new questions and delivering high-quality analyses under tight timelines.

Knowledge and Skills

• Deep expertise across a range of forecasting methodologies and approaches, with the ability to apply fit-for-purpose methods across early pipeline, launch, and in-line forecasting contexts.
• Strong analytical and commercial acumen, with the ability to structure ambiguous problems, diagnose issues, and connect multiple inputs into clear strategic implications.
• Demonstrated experience supporting senior leadership with forecasting, analytics, commercialization planning, and strategic decision-making.
• Ability to quickly absorb new information, ramp into evolving business contexts, and manage a high volume of complex modeling and planning needs.
• Strong understanding of market dynamics, competitive landscapes, treatment paradigms, and the commercial factors that drive uptake, demand, and performance.
• Strong understanding of primary market research design and the ability to translate research outputs into actionable forecast assumptions and model architecture.
• Familiarity with diverse internal and external data sources and the ability to connect those sources to business questions, forecast design, KPI tracking, and launch planning.
• Deep understanding of the biopharma commercialization process, including go-to-market planning, market access, positioning, unmet need assessment, and launch preparation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize and distill complex information into clear, compelling narratives for senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a trusted advisor and thought partner across functions.
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset with strong judgment and comfort operating in ambiguity.
• Familiarity and comfort with leveraging generative and agentic AI tools to enhance analytical workflows, improve efficiency, and support high-quality deliverables for internal stakeholders.

Technical Skills

• Advanced Excel modeling skills, including complex forecast model development and refinement.
• Strong experience working with large and complex data sets.
• Familiarity with analytical tools and environments such as Snowflake, SQL, Power BI, Python, SAS, and VBA.
• Experience building models that support scenario planning, KPI extraction, performance tracking, and decision-oriented output interpretation.
• Ability to integrate data, analytics, market research, and competitive insights into practical forecasting frameworks.
• Familiarity with leveraging generative and agentic AI tools to support efficient analysis, synthesis, and stakeholder-ready deliverables.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in biotech/pharmaceuticals in a quantitative role within Commercial, Finance, Corporate Strategy, Business Development, Forecasting, or Analytics; or equivalent experience in consulting with meaningful biotech/pharmaceutical and quantitative focus.
• Significant experience supporting forecasting and analytics for complex assets, portfolios, or multiple disease areas.
• Demonstrated experience working with senior leadership to support commercial planning, financial forecasting, launch planning, and strategic decision-making.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment, quickly onboard to new business questions, and manage complex modeling demands.
• Experience supporting global brands and global markets preferred.
• Experience in kidney disease or adjacent therapeutic areas preferred.
• Prior in-line forecasting experience strongly preferred.

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. #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 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.

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 you 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.