Senior Director, Regulatory Transformation & Innovation

Vertex Pharmaceuticals; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 195,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Educational assistance

Commuting subsidy

Matching charitable donations

401(k)

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals seeks a Senior Director to lead Regulatory Transformation & Innovation within Global Regulatory Affairs. You will shape strategy, design end-to-end regulatory practices, and drive innovations in content development, data utilization, and decision support.

The role blends leadership and hands-on execution, focusing on AI, analytics, and digital enablement to deliver measurable business improvements while aligning with regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in Regulatory Affairs or regulated industries with strong regulatory processes knowledge.
• 10+ years leading transformation, analytics, or digital enablement initiatives.
• Experience leading AI, analytics, knowledge management, or digital transformation in regulatory contexts.
• Proven ability to translate innovation strategies into operational execution with measurable outcomes.
• Expertise in change management and driving adoption of new capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a Regulatory Transformation & Innovation strategy aligned with GRA objectives and enterprise priorities.
• Lead design, digitization, implementation, and continuous improvement of end-to-end regulatory practices to drive value and reduce manual work.
• Identify and advance opportunities to enhance regulatory capabilities via AI, analytics, automation, and cloud-based submissions.
• Assess external trends to inform strategic priorities and capability investments.
• Lead approaches to content development, knowledge management, data utilization, and decision support.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to implement advanced tech capabilities improving quality and delivery.
• Establish governance and value-realization frameworks for transformational opportunities across GRA.
• Partner with functions to align initiatives with business priorities and regulatory requirements.
• Build relationships with external partners and vendors to bring innovative ideas into the organization.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on innovation and transformation priorities.
• Communicate progress, impact, and lessons learned across the organization.

Skills

Regulatory transformation

Analytics

Leadership

Artificial intelligence

Digital enablement

Regulatory content development

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (preferred)

Tools

AI/digitization tools

Regulatory submissions systems

Job description

Senior Director, Regulatory Transformation & Innovation

The Senior Director, Regulatory Transformation & Innovation is a strategic leadership role within Regulatory Operations responsible for driving the implementation of transformation initiatives across Global Regulatory Affairs (GRA). Working across GRA and cross-functional partners, the Senior Director will identify, prioritize, and implement opportunities to enhance organizational effectiveness and drive business value, including through innovative approaches to regulatory document development, knowledge management, data utilization, and decision support. The role will ensure innovation efforts are grounded in GRA business needs, aligned to regulatory requirements and enterprise priorities, and focused on measurable business outcomes. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in Regulatory Affairs, along with a proven track record of leading transformation, innovation, analytics, AI, or digital enablement initiatives in regulated environments. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, fostering a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and transformation across GRA. This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of three days per week onsite at our Boston (Seaport) location.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a Regulatory Transformation & Innovation strategy aligned with GRA objectives and enterprise priorities, while ensuring delivery of practical business outcomes.
• Lead strategy, design, digitization, implementation, and continuous improvement of end-to-end global regulatory affairs practices to drive value, including increased efficiencies and reduction of manual work effort (e.g., end-to-end regulatory document authoring, workflow automation, structured content development).
• Identify, prioritize, and advance emerging opportunities to enhance regulatory capabilities through innovation, AI, analytics, automation, and evolving industry practices (e.g., cloud-based regulatory submissions).
• Continuously assess external trends, regulatory innovation, and industry best practices to inform strategic priorities and capability investments.
• Lead innovative approaches to regulatory content development, knowledge management, data utilization, and decision support (e.g., structured content development).
• Partner with stakeholders to identify and implement advanced technology capabilities, which improve quality, accelerate delivery, and enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Establish governance, prioritization, and value-realization frameworks to evaluate and advance transformational opportunities across GRA.
• Collaborate across functions to align transformation initiatives with business priorities, organizational goals, and regulatory requirements.
• Build strong relationships with external partners, industry groups, and vendors to bring innovative ideas and capabilities into the organization.
• Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leaders on innovation opportunities, transformation priorities, and organizational readiness.
• Communicate progress, impact, and lessons learned across the organization to maintain transparency, momentum, and alignment.
• Define, monitor, and communicate measurable improvements in organizational effectiveness, business performance, quality, agility, and user experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in Regulatory Affairs, life sciences, or other regulated industries, with a strong understanding of regulatory processes, regulatory content development, submissions management, or comparable regulated business functions.
• 10+ years of experience leading transformation, analytics, digital enablement, or strategic technology initiatives that drive measurable business impact.
• Demonstrated experience leading AI, advanced analytics, knowledge management, or digital transformation initiatives within Regulatory Affairs or other regulated functions.
• Proven ability to translate innovation strategies into operational execution and measurable outcomes by implementing advanced technologies that enhance business processes and team performance.
• Demonstrated expertise in change management, organizational transformation, and driving adoption of new capabilities and ways of working.
• Knowledge of regulatory innovation trends, structured content, data-driven regulatory approaches, and emerging industry practices.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills, with proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive alignment across cross-functional organizations.

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

$216,300 - $324,500

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

• Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
• 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]