Senior Director, Head of Technical Services, T1D CT Mfg Ops

Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 250,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex is seeking a Senior Director, Head of Technical Services for T1D Cell Therapy External Manufacturing Operations in Boston. This role leads manufacturing-facing technical support, troubleshooting, investigations, and readiness for process changes across clinical and commercial programs.

You will partner with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, MSAT, Regulatory, and Supply Chain to enable compliant, efficient execution and ensure product quality in a fast-paced, highly regulated

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Cell Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• 15+ years of experience in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, cell therapy, or related manufacturing environments.
• 8+ years of progressive people leadership across cross-functional technical teams.
• Experience leading manufacturing-facing technical support in a GMP-regulated environment.
• Strong experience with deviations, investigations, troubleshooting, batch support, and change implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Technical Services function supporting GMP manufacturing of cell-derived therapies for Type 1 Diabetes.
• Provide technical leadership for cell therapy manufacturing operations.
• Serve as the senior technical escalation point for manufacturing issues affecting batch execution, product quality, cycle time, or supply reliability.
• Lead technical troubleshooting and support timely resolution of deviations, investigations, atypical events, and process excursions.
• Drive operational process monitoring and trend review to identify emerging risks, improve execution, and enhance performance.
• Own Technical Services readiness for process changes, campaign startup, new product introduction, and transferred processes entering GMP manufacturing.
• Partner with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Engineering, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and CMC teams to support robust execution and inspection readiness.
• Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing team of technical subject matter experts.
• Foster a culture of quality, accountability, technical rigor, collaboration, inclusion, and patient focus.

Skills

Cell therapy

GMP compliance

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional leadership

Process improvement

Team development

Education

Advanced degree in Bioengineering or related field

Job description

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Director, Head of Technical Services, T1D Cell Therapy Manufacturing Operations

Department: Manufacturing Operations

Reports To: Vice President, Type 1 Diabetes Manufacturing Operations

Location: Boston, MA and Portsmouth, NH

Work Model: Full time on site or hybrid eligible

Vertex is seeking a Senior Director, Head of Technical Services to lead manufacturing-facing technical support for our Type 1 Diabetes Stem Cell Therapy Manufacturing Operations organization. This leader will oversee real-time GMP manufacturing support, troubleshooting, investigation support, operational process monitoring, manufacturing readiness, and implementation of approved process changes. The role requires deep experience in cell therapy manufacturing, strong people leadership, and the ability to partner effectively across Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain.

Job Summary

At Vertex, we invest in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as Senior Director, Head of Technical Services for T1D Cell Therapy External Manufacturing Operations organization.

This role leads the manufacturing-facing technical function responsible for enabling reliable, compliant, and efficient execution of complex cell therapy manufacturing processes across clinical and commercial operations. The Head of Technical Services provides leadership for real-time manufacturing support, technical troubleshooting, investigation support, operational process monitoring, manufacturing readiness, and implementation of approved process changes in GMP operations.

This is a highly visible leadership role requiring expertise in cell therapy manufacturing, strong cross-functional influence, and a passion for translating process complexity into operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the Technical Services function supporting GMP manufacturing of cell-derived therapies for Type 1 Diabetes.
• Provide technical leadership for cell therapy manufacturing operations
• Serve as the senior technical escalation point for manufacturing issues affecting batch execution, product quality, cycle time, or supply reliability.
• Lead technical troubleshooting and support timely resolution of deviations, investigations, atypical events, and process excursions.
• Drive operational process monitoring and trend review to identify emerging risks, improve execution consistency, and enhance manufacturing performance.
• Own Technical Services readiness for process changes, campaign startup, new product introduction, and transferred processes entering GMP manufacturing.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Engineering, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and CMC teams to support robust execution and inspection readiness.
• Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing team of technical subject matter experts supporting manufacturing operations.
• Foster a culture of quality, accountability, technical rigor, collaboration, inclusion, and patient focus.

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• 15+ years of relevant industry experience in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, cell therapy, or other advanced therapy manufacturing environments.
• 8+ years of progressive people leadership experience, including experience leading managers and cross-functional technical teams.
• Demonstrated success leading manufacturing-facing technical support in a GMP-regulated environment.
• Strong experience with deviations, investigations, troubleshooting, batch support, change implementation, and operational problem-solving.
• Proven ability to influence across Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and process science organizations.

Leadership Profile

The ideal candidate will bring:

• strong technical depth in advanced therapy manufacturing
• a practical, solutions-oriented approach to troubleshooting and execution support
• strong judgment in high-stakes manufacturing environments
• the ability to create clarity at functional interfaces, especially between Technical Services, Manufacturing, and MSAT
• a track record of building teams and developing leaders
• a strong commitment to quality, compliance, and patient impact

About Vertex

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. Guided by our commitment to patient