Portfolio & Program Management Technology Director

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

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston seeks a Portfolio & Program Management Business Technology Director to own the technology platforms and AI tools for PPM and TAPM, driving integrated planning, portfolio reporting and analytics. You will lead MS Project Server as the system of record and guide cross-functional teams across enterprise data governance and AI-enabled capabilities.

In this role, you will shape the technology strategy, oversee AI use cases, and partner with senior stakeholders to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field; typically 12 years of experience or equivalent
• Experience in pharmaceutical/biotech portfolio management or related operations
• Knowledge of project and portfolio management systems and data governance
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and working with senior stakeholders
• Familiarity with AI tools and automation in business processes

Responsibilities

• Shape and execute the technology and AI roadmap to enhance portfolio planning and decision-making
• Own the PPM platform, with MS Project Server Subscription Edition as the system of record
• Lead business ownership of AI tools and use cases to improve reporting, analytics, automation, and efficiency
• Ensure project data supports portfolio reporting, resource and financial planning
• Define business requirements and evaluate options for future-state project management solutions
• Coordinate integration across plans, data, resources, and financials
• Define and maintain governance, data governance, and issue-resolution processes
• Partner with TAPM leaders to align priorities and support adoption of new tools and processes
• Oversee administration of SharePoint and related department technologies

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic influence

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Life Sciences, Information Systems, Data Science, or related field

12 years of experience

Tools

MS Project

Power BI

SharePoint

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:

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