Executive Director, Global Commercial Analytics- Decision Science

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); Boston (MA); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. seeks an Executive Director to lead Global Decision Science within Global Commercial Strategy in Boston.

You will build an integrated analytics team, frame priority business decisions, and apply advanced analytics to inform pipeline development and commercial choices. The role emphasizes governance, scalable analytics, and collaboration with Market Research, Forecasting, and Data Management to drive evidence-based decisions.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in commercial analytics or decision science within biopharmaceuticals.
• Ability to translate business questions into analytical frameworks and actionable recommendations.
• Strong expertise in segmentation, targeting, analytics delivery, and measurement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global Decision Science team and strategy across pipeline and lifecycle.
• Frame priority business decisions and translate into analytical questions.
• Develop scalable decision-support capabilities and reusable data products.
• Ensure transparent models, validated outputs, and executive-ready narratives.
• Collaborate with regional and cross-functional teams to drive evidence-based decisions.

Skills

Leadership experience

Commercial analytics

Advanced analytics

AI/ML understanding

Executive communication

Pharma/healthcare data experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in a quantitative discipline

MS/PhD/MBA preferred

Job description

The Executive Director, Global Commercial Analytics – Decision Science

Job Description The Executive Director, Global Commercial Analytics – Decision Science will lead the global Decision Science capability within Global Commercial Strategy. Reporting to the Vice President, Global Commercial Analytics, this leader will build an integrated team that frames priority business decisions, translates them into analytical questions, and applies advanced analytics to inform pipeline development and to improve commercial, launch, and portfolio choices. The Executive Director will establish common standards, methodologies, and scalable capabilities across segmentation, targeting, patient finding, resource allocation, scenario modeling, experimentation, and measurement. Working through disease-aligned Decision Science leads, this role will ensure analytics are embedded in decision‑making and translated into clear recommendations and measurable business impact.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the Global Decision Science organization and capability agenda across pipeline, pre-launch, launch, lifecycle, and in-line disease areas.
• Partner with GCS disease leaders and BI&A pod leads to frame priority business decisions, define analytical questions, and identify the evidence required to act.
• Establish standards and methodologies for segmentation, targeting, patient finding, customer and patient analytics, resource allocation, scenario modeling, and commercial optimization.
• Build advanced analytical approaches that quantify key drivers, risks, trade-offs, and likely business impact across commercial and portfolio decisions.
• Lead experimentation and measurement capabilities, including test-and-learn design, causal measurement, promotional effectiveness, and assessment of whether recommendations improve outcomes.
• Develop scalable decision-support solutions that combine analytical models, business rules, internal and external data, and AI-enabled capabilities.
• Ensure models and recommendations are transparent, fit for purpose, appropriately validated, and grounded in strong business and market understanding.
• Build reusable data assets and analytical products required for commercialization, including patient‑level analyses, claims‑based insights, HCP universes, and opportunity‑prioritization tools.
• Partner with Market Research, Forecasting, Competitive Intelligence, Portfolio Analytics, and Data Management & Capabilities to create integrated evidence and avoid fragmented analyses.
• Work with regional Commercial, Medical, Value & Access, HEOR, Finance, and Digital/Data/Technology teams to align analytical approaches, data requirements, and adoption.
• Translate complex analyses into clear implications, decision options, recommendations, and executive‑ready narratives; constructively challenge assumptions when evidence indicates a different course.
• Establish governance, prioritization, quality standards, vendor strategy, and a capability roadmap for Decision Science.
• Build, develop, and retain a high‑performing global team; create clear roles, career paths, technical standards, and a culture of analytical rigor, curiosity, collaboration, and accountability.
• Measure the adoption, quality, efficiency, and business impact of Decision Science capabilities and continuously improve the operating model.

Required Education Level

Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in statistics, mathematics, economics, operations research, data science, engineering, business, or a related quantitative discipline. Advanced degree such as an M.S., Ph.D., or MBA preferred.

Required Experience

• Extensive leadership experience in commercial analytics, decision science, marketing science, advanced analytics, data science, or a related field within biopharmaceuticals or another complex, data‑rich industry.
• Demonstrated experience translating ambiguous business questions into analytical frameworks and actionable recommendations for senior commercial leaders.
• Deep expertise across several Decision Science disciplines, such as segmentation and targeting, patient analytics, resource allocation, marketing mix and promotional effectiveness, experimentation, causal inference, predictive modeling, and optimization.
• Experience applying pharmaceutical and healthcare data, including patient‑level, claims, prescription, customer, promotional, and other secondary data, to commercial decisions.
• Experience supporting global portfolios across pipeline, launch, lifecycle, and in‑line stages and operating across global, regional, and local organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to build scalable analytical capabilities, common methodologies, governance, and reusable data or decision‑support products.
• Strong understanding of AI and machine learning and sound judgment on how to validate, govern, operationalize, and measure AI‑enabled decision support.
• Proven success leading and developing multidisciplinary analytical teams and influencing through a highly matrixed organization.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, analytical rigor, business judgment, executive communication, and ability to simplify complex analyses without losing critical nuance.
• Experience managing external partners, analytical investments, and multiple priorities while maintaining high standards for quality, privacy, compliance, and business impact.

Continuous Learning and Culture

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

Pay Range: $0 - $0 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.

Total Rewards

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.

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].

Mission and Vision

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 type1. 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 17 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.