Medical Affairs Sr/Science Director - Pain

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 194,000 - 291,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards benefits

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc in the United States is seeking a Pain Medical Affairs Science Director to lead global medical plan development, launch strategy, and scientific leadership for the Pain disease area. You will engage external experts, develop medical content and publication plans, and ensure alignment with commercial and cross-functional partners.

The role emphasizes advanced medical communications, strategic thinking, and cross-functional collaboration across the Global Medical Affairs

Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience.
• Typically requires 12 years of experience in medical affairs or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Execute and communicate the Global Medical Plan.
• Serve as a senior product expert for global issues with external and internal stakeholders.
• Lead development of global scientific communications and core materials (e.g., congress plans).
• Engage with global thought leaders for advisory boards and unmet patient needs.
• Mentor/coach team members and represent Medical Affairs on commercial teams.

Skills

Scientific leadership

Medical communications

KTL engagement

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic planning

Education

Advanced degree (MD, Masters, PharmD, Ph.D.)

Job description

Job Description General Summary:

The Pain Medical Affairs Science Director is a critical role in Global Medical Affairs, working on global activities for the Pain disease area. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, Medical Plan development, launch strategy and execution, scientific leadership, external medical expert engagement, and strategic alignment with commercial and other cross-functional business partners. This role will also be critical in developing medical content, including training, Q&A, and externally facing medical materials, and contributing to the development of the publication plan. This role reports to the disease area Global Medical Lead and is a core member of the disease area Global Medical team.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Execute and communicate the Global Medical Plan in collaboration with other internal stakeholders across Vertex.
• Serve as a senior and advanced product expert for all global compound or disease area related issues with the external community and internally at Vertex.
• Closely follow medical developments within disease area and ensure new information to transform clinical trends and emerging data is integrated into medical plans.
• Leads the development of global scientific communications and core global materials (e.g., congress plans) Represent Vertex at scientific and medical forums, including medical education forums, scientific societies, patient advocacy groups, and congresses.
• Engage with leading global key thought leaders (KTL) to gain contribution/ participation in advisory boards, greater understanding of the therapeutic area, and insights into unmet patient needs.
• Perform and lead medical review of assigned brand-related content.
• Drives alignment on medical content/messaging within the organization to ensure maximal functional and regional input.
• Conducts complex critical appraisals of available scientific and medical knowledge, identify gaps, and in collaboration with the Medical Affairs Training & Capabilities group develops training and core medical materials for medical team.
• Demonstrated enterprise strategic mindset in collaborating cross functionally and creating innovative strategies and deliverables.
• Leads projects characterized by complexity, and integration requirements that cross functions with extensive stakeholder management.
• Interprets internal/external business challenges and develops best practices to improve products, processes or services.
• Serves as a mentor/coach to others on the team.
• Represent Medical Affairs on relevant commercial teams Thought partner while supporting Access, Patient Advocacy, Policy, and Corporate Communications teams with medical/scientific expertise and materials review.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Working in a Scientific expert advisor capacity this role is expected to exhibit advanced Medical Affairs competencies, including but not limited to: Demonstrated leadership and expertise in scientific communication frameworks and impactful material development.
• Expert in in health communication principles and knowledge of how to pull through material development.
• Communication, medical and scientific knowledge of the disease area with the ability to communicate highly complex ideas; interacts with senior leaders and may apply advanced negotiation skills.
• Enterprise strategic thinking and problem solving: Resolves complex problems with wide-reaching implications to the performance of an organizational function.
• Demonstrates strong business acumen and has thorough drug development experience, demonstrating deep and broad understanding of cross-functional interdependencies across the drug development lifecycle.
• Proven leadership capabilities, ability to work within complex matrixes with and without functional authority.
• Compliance expertise and in-depth knowledge of relevant (area-specific) legislation or regulatory guidance governing the provision of medical information and appliable data privacy legislation.
• Actively fosters strong and highly effective working relationships with key influential stakeholders inside and outside of Vertex.

Education and Experience:

• Advanced degree (MD, Masters, PharmD,. or Ph.D.) or equivalent highly relevant experience
• Typically requires 12 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5 or more years of relevant experience in medical affairs and/or clinical development, including experience in both Global and Country/Region desired
• 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: $193,800 - $290,800

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:

• 1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week;
• 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.