Senior Director, Global Commercial – Pain

Vertex; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex, a global biotechnology company, seeks a Senior Director, Global Commercial – Pain, to shape the global commercial strategy for the pain portfolio, with a primary focus on acute pain. The role leads strategic work on opportunity assessment, long-range forecasting, target product profile development, and brand strategy.

The role requires deep market and customer insights, cross-functional collaboration with Development, Medical, Market Access, Forecasting, and regional teams, and the

Qualifications

• Significant experience in biopharmaceutical or healthcare commercial strategy or related functions.
• Experience in pain, acute care, or related therapeutic areas.
• Strong capabilities in market research, customer insights, and strategic planning.
• Experience supporting forecasting, commercialization strategy, and portfolio planning.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders in a matrixed environment.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead global commercial strategy development for the pain portfolio with a focus on acute pain.
• Drive commercial opportunity assessments to guide portfolio prioritization and investments.
• Lead long-range forecasting and scenario planning for business planning.
• Contribute to Target Product Profile development and brand strategy.
• Synthesize market insights from providers, payers, and patients to inform decisions.
• Collaborate with Development, Medical, Market Access, Forecasting, and regional teams.
• Deliver data-driven recommendations to senior leadership and shape organizational talent.
• Support leadership development and cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Biopharma strategic planning

Pain/acute care expertise

Market research & insights

Forecasting & scenario planning

Cross-functional leadership

Stakeholder influence

Communication & analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences/business

MBA/MPH/PharmD/PhD or related graduate degree

Job description

Job Description

General Summary

Vertex is seeking a Senior Director, Global Commercial – Pain to play a key leadership role in shaping the global commercial strategy for our pain portfolio, with a strong focus on acute pain. This individual will lead critical strategic efforts across commercial opportunity assessment, long-range forecasting, target product profile development, and brand strategy.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in market and customer insights, a strong understanding of the acute pain landscape, and the ability to translate complex market dynamics into clear, actionable commercial strategies. This role requires a highly strategic, collaborative leader who can work effectively across functions to inform key portfolio, product, and business decisions.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead global commercial strategy development for the pain portfolio, with primary focus on acute pain
• Drive commercial opportunity assessments to inform portfolio prioritization, investment decisions, and strategic planning
• Lead long-range forecasting and scenario planning to support business planning and decision-making
• Provide commercial leadership and input into Target Product Profile (TPP) development
• Shape global brand strategy, including positioning, differentiation, and strategic direction
• Generate and synthesize market and customer insights across key stakeholder groups, including healthcare providers, payers, and patients
• Evaluate market trends, unmet need, competitive dynamics, and customer considerations in acute pain
• Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including Development, Medical, Market Access, Forecasting, and regional commercial teams
• Deliver clear, data-driven recommendations to senior leadership to support key strategic decisions
• Contribute to a high-performing organization through leadership, collaboration, and talent development

Knowledge and Skills

• Significant experience in biopharmaceutical or healthcare commercial strategy, new product planning, brand strategy, or related functions
• Experience in pain, acute care, or a closely related therapeutic area
• Strong expertise in market research, customer insights, and strategic planning
• Experience supporting forecasting, commercialization strategy, and portfolio planning
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders in a cross-functional, matrixed environment
• Excellent communication, leadership, and analytical skills

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in business, life sciences, or a related field
• Advanced degree such as an MBA, MPH, PharmD, PhD, or related graduate degree
• Experience in launch planning or pre-launch commercialization
• Understanding of acute pain treatment settings and customer dynamics
• Familiarity with payer and reimbursement considerations in pain
• Experience working across global and regional markets
• Experience leading teams and developing talent

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

$0 - $0

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.

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]