Senior Director, Portfolio & Program Management

Vertex Inc.; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 242,000 - 363,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Educational assistance programs

Commuting subsidy

Matching charitable donations

Equity awards

Job summary

Vertex is seeking a Senior Director of Portfolio & Program Management to lead global cross-functional programs across drug development stages, from research through commercialization. This role champions project management excellence and drives execution of strategy for cross-functional teams and portfolio initiatives.

The role requires extensive leadership experience, strategic planning, and a track record in drug development. Hybrid-work flexibility is offered with on-site options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or a relevant field.
• Typically requires 12 years of experience and 5 years of management experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional drug development programs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational project leadership to cross-functional teams through all project stages.
• Drive cross-functional communication with senior leaders on timelines, risks, and issues.
• Identify roadblocks and lead scenario planning to guide execution.
• Align strategy and milestones with corporate objectives via governance forums.
• Propose process improvements and advise leaders on optimizing results.
• Determine cross-functional decision-making approaches and issue resolution.
• Oversee team deliverables and contribute to content development when needed.
• Establish operating norms and measure team performance.
• Mentor subordinate managers and high-level professionals.
• May have financial and HR responsibilities for senior staff.

Skills

PM leadership

Cross-functional leadership

Strategic planning

Finance & resource management

Communication skills

Drug discovery & development expertise

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences

Job description

Job Description

General Summary

The Senior Director, Portfolio & Program Management is a global role within the Program and Portfolio Management (PPM) organization. The incumbent is responsible for championing cross‑functional project management excellence to programs across the drug development lifecycle (Research, Pre‑clinical and Clinical Development, Registration and Commercialization). The incumbent is expected to lead the application of project management to identify opportunities, shape objectives and drive execution of global strategy for cross‑functional drug development teams and portfolio operations initiatives. This role is a key leadership position within PPM, with accountability for the performance and end results of a department/area.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational project leadership to one or more cross‑functional teams, directing activities at all stages of the project lifecycle (initiation through closeout)
• Drive communication cross‑functionally and with senior leaders on integrated program planning topics including timelines, status, risks and issues
• Proactively identify roadblocks and/or constraints impacting strategic imperatives or project execution and lead the team through scenario planning activities
• Partner with governance forums, senior leaders and/or team lead(s) to align strategy, goals and milestones with corporate objectives
• Propose innovative approaches, define process improvements and advise leaders on opportunities to optimize project results
• Determine approach and stakeholders for cross‑functional decision‑making and issue resolution
• Oversee completion of project team deliverables and contribute to content development, when appropriate
• Establish project team operating norms and measure performance
• Apply subject matter expertise to mentor subordinate managers and high level professionals
• As a people manager within the organization, may have financial accountabilities and human resource responsibilities for assigned high level professionals and subordinate managers

Knowledge and Skills

• Broad and comprehensive understanding of project and portfolio management principles, options analysis, strategic planning, business case generation, finance and resource management
• Leadership experience managing cross‑functional teams with an ability to influence teams to prioritize activities and allocate resources to contribute to the development of operational strategy
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including well‑developed presentation skills
• Pharmaceutical drug discovery and development expertise across multiple disciplines
• Organizational skills, an ability to manage multiple priorities
• Strong collaboration skills to effectively interact with internal or external stakeholders at all levels in the organization
• Advanced business management knowledge to assess the impact of project decisions on financial and corporate objectives

Education and Experience

• Typically requires a Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or a relevant field
• Typically requires 12 years of experience and 5 years of management experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience

Pay Range

$242,200 - $363,200

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.

Benefits

• From medical, dental and vision benefits
• 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)
• 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.

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]