Senior Manager, Clinical Study Quality Lead

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); Boston (MA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Equity awards

Hybrid work model with on-site option

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals seeks a Senior Manager, Clinical Study Quality Lead to oversee GCP QA for trials and partner with study teams, CROs, and sites. The role emphasizes risk-based review, CAPA planning, and inspection readiness in a hybrid, on-site-friendly setting. Expect collaboration across departments and travel up to 10% for audits and inspections.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of direct GCP QA experience providing oversight for clinical trials.
• Experience in sponsor, CRO, or regulated clinical research environments.
• Strong knowledge of ICH GCP E6(R3) and global trial regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide study-level GCP QA oversight for assigned trials.
• Collaborate with clinical study teams, CROs, vendors, and investigator sites.
• Develop risk-based quality reviews and mitigation strategies.
• Lead investigator site audits and inspection readiness activities.
• Support CAPA investigations and effectiveness checks.
• Monitor quality data and regulatory inspection signals.

Skills

GCP QA oversight

Risk-based quality

Audit readiness

CAPA & root cause

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Job Description General Summary: The Senior Manager, Clinical Study Quality Lead provides study-level quality oversight for assigned clinical trials to help ensure they are conducted in compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), applicable global regulations, study protocols, and Vertex procedures. This is an individual contributor role focused on GCP quality assurance oversight for clinical trials, including risk-based audit strategy, quality risk identification, issue escalation, CAPA support, compliance trend analysis, and inspection readiness. The role partners closely with clinical study teams and external stakeholders, including CROs, vendors, and investigator sites, to support quality outcomes across Vertex clinical programs. The ideal candidate brings direct, hands-on GCP QA experience supporting clinical trials in a sponsor, CRO, or similarly regulated clinical research environment. This position is on-site or hybrid and is not eligible for a fully remote work arrangement.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Serve as the Clinical Study Quality Lead for assigned trials, providing GCP QA oversight and guidance to clinical study teams and key stakeholders. Partner cross-functionally with clinical study teams, CROs, vendors, and investigator sites to support quality oversight and maintain inspection readiness. Conduct risk-based quality reviews of protocols, informed consent documents, and other key study documentation to identify potential compliance and operational risks. Advise clinical study teams on quality risks and support the development of practical, risk-based mitigation strategies. Develop and oversee investigator site audit plans for assigned studies, ensuring alignment with study risk, audit strategy, and company expectations. Lead and/or support domestic and international investigator site audits and inspection readiness activities. Review audit reports, responses, and CAPA plans to ensure findings are appropriately assessed, addressed, and resolved in a timely manner. Support quality issue investigations, including root cause analysis, CAPA planning, and follow-up of effectiveness measures. Review and monitor clinical quality data, compliance signals, and study-level trends, escalating significant risks or concerns as appropriate. Contribute to ongoing process improvement and continuous quality initiatives to strengthen GCP compliance across clinical programs. Support regulatory agency inspections at Vertex and/or clinical investigator sites, as needed. May contribute to the review of SOPs, work instructions, and internal guidance documents that support the clinical quality management system.

Required Experience

Bachelor’s degree and 6+ years of direct GCP Quality Assurance experience providing oversight for clinical trials, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Candidates must have direct, hands-on experience providing GCP QA oversight for clinical trials. Experience supporting clinical study quality in a sponsor, CRO, or similarly regulated clinical research environment. Experience supporting clinical development programs for drugs and biologics.

Required Knowledge/Skills

Strong knowledge of ICH GCP E6(R3) and applicable global clinical trial regulations and guidance. Demonstrated experience in GCP clinical trial quality oversight, including audit support, inspection readiness, quality issue management, root cause analysis, and CAPA. Ability to identify GCP compliance risks, assess impact, and apply risk-based quality principles in a clinical trial environment. Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across internal and external stakeholders. Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities, and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment. Strong organizational, project management, and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Skills

Experience supporting devices, combination products, or cell and gene therapy clinical trials. Experience supporting GCP QA activities in a Phase 1 Clinical Research Unit is highly desirable. Professional certification such as RQAP-GCP, CCRP, or similar.

Other Requirements

Up to 10% travel may be required.

Pay Range

#LI-Hybrid Pay Range: $137,800 - $206,800 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. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. 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 APOL1-mediated kidney disease, acute and neuropathic pain, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency . Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex's global headquarters is now located in Boston's Innovation District and its international headquarters is 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 14 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 Facebook, Twitter/X , LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram. The diversity and authenticity of our people is part of what makes Vertex unique, and we recognize that each employee brings diverse perspectives and strengths. By embracing those strengths and celebrating differences, we are fostering an inclusive culture where each of us can bring our authentic selves to work, inspire innovation together, and change people’s lives. Our vision is clear: to be the place where an authentic, diverse mix of talent want to come, to stay, and do their best work.