Portfolio & Program Management Director

Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 162,000 - 243,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work eligibility

On-site option

Job summary

Vertex is seeking a Director of Portfolio and Program Management (PPM) within the COO organization to lead a portfolio of Research programs from early discovery through candidate preclinical development, ensuring alignment with priorities and delivery against objectives.

You will partner with the CGT Site Head, Chief of Staff, and program leaders to provide integrated portfolio insights, drive prioritization, and govern execution while scaling PPM capabilities and talent across the function.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences or related field (PhD preferred).
• 10 years of experience in portfolio and program management.
• Experience leading cross-functional R&D teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead portfolio planning across research and early development.
• Provide portfolio updates, risks, milestones, and resource needs.
• Drive cross-functional decision-making and governance.
• Mentor and manage PM staff and build capabilities.
• Translate site goals into actionable portfolio plans.

Skills

Portfolio management

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Risk analysis

Stakeholder communication

Data-driven decision making

Education

PhD in Life Sciences

Job description

Position Summary

The Director of Portfolio and Program Management (PPM) sits within the COO organization and provides strategic and operational leadership across a portfolio of cross-functional Research programs and projects, spanning early research through candidate preclinical development. The role is accountable for both portfolio-level oversight and direct program management, ensuring alignment with research priorities and delivery against organizational objectives. Working in close partnership with the Cell and Gene Therapies (CGT) Site Head, Chief of Staff, Program Leaders, and cross-functional stakeholders, the Director provides integrated portfolio insights, enables prioritization, drives strategic decision-making, and ensures execution of critical site and program objectives. As a key leader within Research PPM, the Director promotes high-performing, data-driven ways of working, strengthens portfolio governance and visibility, and serves as a trusted thought partner to research leadership. The role also includes line management responsibilities and contributes to the development of PPM capabilities, talent, and organizational effectiveness.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with Program Leaders to lead portfolio planning, drive strategic decision-making, and ensure effective execution across research and early development programs.
• Lead and oversee a portfolio of Research programs and projects from early research through candidate preclinical development, ensuring alignment to organizational and corporate priorities.
• Directly lead priority cross-functional projects and programs, driving planning, execution, decision-making, and delivery against key milestones and goals.
• Partner closely with the CGT Site Head and Chief of Staff to provide clear, accurate, and timely portfolio and program updates, including status, risks, milestones, resource needs, and decision points, while helping ensure delivery of site objectives.
• Guide cross-functional R&D teams to establish high-performing, data-driven ways of working that deliver on corporate objectives and priorities.
• Lead the approach for cross-functional decision-making and issue resolution, identifying key stakeholders and driving alignment on priorities, governance, and actions.
• Develop and maintain integrated portfolio and project timelines and reporting, defining critical path activities, interdependencies, and potential bottlenecks.
• Proactively identify, assess, mitigate, and escalation risks, gaps, challenges, and roadblocks that could impact program or site delivery.
• Lead the generation of program assumptions for annual resource allocation and budgeting across Research and Development functions.
• Identify, communicate, and manage resource constraints, synergies, and redundancies across the portfolio.
• Effectively manage key meetings, stakeholder communications, action items, decisions, and follow-through to support execution and accountability.
• Communicate complex topics to stakeholders through effective storytelling and content creation.
• Establish team operating norms and identify opportunities to improve team and portfolio performance.
• Work with Portfolio and Program leadership to build, manage, coach, and retain PM staff.
• Serve as a key PPM leader, translating site goals into actionable portfolio and project plans.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead a portfolio of complex projects in a fast-paced Research environment.
• Strong ability to partner with senior site leadership to translate strategic priorities into executable plans.
• Proven ability to drive accountability and delivery across matrixed cross-functional teams.
• Comprehensive knowledge of project and portfolio management principles, best practices, tools, technology and methods.
• Leadership experience managing cross-functional teams.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including well-developed presentation skills.
• Comprehensive pharmaceutical drug discovery and development knowledge across multiple disciplines.
• Exceptional organizational skills and an ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong collaboration skills to effectively interact with internal or external stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced and collaborative environment and manage multiple concurrent projects with a high degree of independence.
• Experience in carrying out Risk Analysis, Decision Analysis and Contingency Planning.
• A desire to be part of a highly innovative company aimed at transforming the lives of people with serious diseases, their families and society.
• Ability to embody the Vertex Core Values of Uncompromising Commitment to Patients, Fearless Pursuit of Excellence, Innovation is Our Lifeblood, and “We” Wins.

Education and Experience

Typically requires an advanced degree in Life Sciences or a relevant field, (PhD degree preferred or strong demonstration of equivalent combination of relevant educational and professional training).

Typically requires 10 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Typically requires significant experience in portfolio and program management within drug discovery and/or early development, including leadership of cross-functional teams and complex project portfolios.

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

$162,200 - $243,200

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.

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.

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 select2. 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.

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]