Portfolio & Program Management Technology Director

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc (US); Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 192,000 - 288,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus and equity awards

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. is seeking a Director of Portfolio & Program Management Business Technology in Boston to own the PPM platform, drive AI-enabled analytics, and lead cross-functional programs.

You will shape the technology roadmap, ensure data governance, and enable scalable planning across TAPM and TPM organizations. You will oversee governance of project data, collaborate with senior leaders, and manage hybrid work arrangements, including on-site and remote options, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Life Sciences, Information Systems or Data Science.
• Typically requires 12 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in pharmaceutical/biotech portfolio management or operations is required.

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute the technology and AI roadmap for TAPM and PPM.
• Own the PPM project management platform and data as the system of record.
• Lead AI tools adoption to improve reporting, analytics and automation.
• Define governance, data quality, and process improvements for portfolio tech.

Skills

PM systems knowledge

AI and automation awareness

Cross-functional collaboration

Power BI experience

SharePoint familiarity

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business or Life Sciences or IS

12 years experience in pharma/biotech operations

Tools

MS Project Server Subscription Edition

Power BI

SharePoint

Job description

Job Description General Summary: The Portfolio & Program Management Business Technology Director is a role within the Portfolio & Program Management (PPM) organization and newly formed Center of Excellence. The incumbent is responsible for business ownership of technology platforms and AI tools supporting PPM and the broader Transactions, Alliances, and Portfolio Management (TAPM) organization, with accountability for enabling integrated planning, portfolio reporting and analytics, and scalable new ways of working. This role leads cross-functional efforts to evolve project management systems, strengthen data governance, and advance an integrated, AI-ready portfolio technology environment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Partner with TAPM leadership to shape and execute the technology and AI roadmap, driving delivery of capabilities that enhance portfolio planning, decision-making, and operational effectiveness
• Serve as business owner for the PPM project management platform, with primary accountability for MS Project Server Subscription Edition as the system of record for functional and integrated project plans
• Lead business ownership of AI tools and use cases across PPM and TAPM to improve reporting, analytics, automation, and process efficiency
• Ensure project management platform data effectively supports portfolio reporting, resource planning, financial planning, and enterprise decision-making
• Lead cross-functional efforts to define business requirements, evaluate options, and support selection of future-state project management and portfolio technology solutions
• Coordinate integration across project plans, portfolio data, resources, and financials to support a more connected planning environment and improved data quality
• Define and maintain business processes for system governance, data governance, issue resolution, platform administration, and continuous improvement
• Partner with TAPM leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to align priorities, influence decisions, and support adoption of systems, tools, and process changes
• Oversee business administration of other department technologies, including collaboration tools such as SharePoint, as applicable

Knowledge and Skills:

• Broad understanding of project and portfolio management systems, including direct experience with MS Project; familiarity with other industry-relevant platforms preferred
• Understanding of how project planning data supports portfolio reporting, resource planning, financial planning, and portfolio decision-making
• Experience with enterprise system business ownership, including governance, requirements definition, user support, and issue management
• Knowledge of AI and automation applications in business processes; experience with Power BI or similar reporting and visualization tools preferred
• Knowledge of data governance, data quality, and stewardship practices
• Pharmaceutical drug discovery and development expertise across multiple disciplines
• Strong collaboration, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across a matrixed organization

Education and Experience:

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Business, Life Sciences, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field
• Typically requires 12 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Relevant experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or related industry supporting portfolio management, program management, business systems, or operations is required
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and working with senior stakeholders is required
• Supervisory or people leadership experience is preferred but not required

Pay Range:

$192,000 - $288,000 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:

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

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]

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.