Executive Director, Portfolio & Program Management

Biopharma Careers; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 261,000 - 391,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity awards

Hybrid work model

Total Rewards benefits

Job summary

Vertex is seeking an Executive Director, Portfolio & Program Management in Boston, MA, with a hybrid schedule (3 days in office / 2 days remote). The role oversees global program management across the drug development lifecycle, DST, PTs, and research PTs, driving end-to-end integration with DST strategy.

The successful candidate will lead multiple disease areas, mentor senior program managers, and champion operational excellence, scalability, and investment in talent.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience, including 7+ years of management, or equivalent
• Experience leading large, complex, global teams and programs
• Pharmaceutical drug discovery and development expertise across disciplines

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to cross-functional teams across research, clinical, and marketed products
• Lead and mentor Senior Directors and PPM staff across disease areas
• Drive synergies and scalability across disease areas and optimize resource allocation
• Set strategy and oversee decision-making for high-priority programs aligning with corporate objectives
• Champion organizational design principles to enable agile, scalable teams and career development
• Represent PPM on governance forums and influence strategic portfolio growth
• Oversee financial and human resource accountability for expanded teams
• Ensure integration of research, development and commercialization with DST strategy

Skills

Portfolio & program mgmt

Strategic planning

Risk management

Resource management

Mentoring senior staff

Financial acumen

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences

Job description

The Executive Director, Portfolio & Program Management is a global leadership role within the Program and Portfolio Management (PPM) organization. The role is accountable for all program management efforts across the drug development lifecycle and commercialization, including Disease Area Strategy Teams (DST), Program Teams (PT), and research PTs, ensuring end-to-end integration with DST strategy for a subset of Vertex’s portfolio diseases. This role drives organizational design, strategic growth, and operational excellence, with expanded scope to lead multiple disease areas and mentor senior program managers.

This position is based in our Boston, MA location (Seaport area) and requires a hybrid work schedule with 3 days in office /2 days remote on a weekly basis.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to multiple cross-functional teams, spanning research, clinical, and marketed products.
• Lead and mentor Senior Directors and PPM staff across at least one additional disease area ("player/coach" model).
• Drive synergies and scalability across disease areas, optimizing resource allocation to deliver on Vertex portfolio priorities.
• Set strategy and oversee decision-making for high-priority and complex programs, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
• Champion organizational design principles to enable agile, scalable teams and career development opportunities.
• Represent PPM on governance forums and with senior leaders, influencing strategic direction and portfolio growth.
• Propose and implement innovative approaches and process improvements to maximize operational excellence.
• Oversee financial and human resource accountability for expanded teams (direct and indirect reports).
• Ensure integration of research, development and commercialization of program management efforts with DST strategy.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or a relevant field.
• Typically requires 15+ years of experience, including 7+ years of management experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex teams and programs at a global level.

Knowledge and Skills

• Deep expertise in portfolio and program management, strategic planning, risk management and resource management across multiple disease areas.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor senior program managers and high-level professionals.
• Advanced business management and financial acumen to drive value creation.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Pharmaceutical drug discovery and development expertise across disciplines.

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

$260,800 - $391,200

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

• 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.

#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]