Senior Director, US Patient Support Affordability Strategy & Progarms

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Boston (MA)

Hybrid

USD 155,000 - 233,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated is seeking a Senior Director to lead US Patient Support affordability programs, including copay, PAP/free-drug, and bridge offerings. You will shape strategy, governance, and operating models, building a high-performing team and partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to remove access barriers for patients.

The role emphasizes analytics, governance, and execution excellence, with hybrid/on-site work options and a strong focus on patient experience and

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required in a related field; 12+ years in patient support or affordability programs; 7+ years leadership experience; experience leading copay, patient assistance, free-drug, bridge programs.
Experience managing external vendors and complex programs; strong leadership and cross-functional skills.
Excellent communication, governance, and compliance with patient-centered program delivery.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead the US PSP affordability strategy and roadmap.
Design and optimize copay, patient assistance, free-drug, and bridge programs.
Establish governance, policies, and escalation for program execution.
Build and lead a high-performing affordability team.
Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to align programs with business goals.
Oversee vendor performance and ensure compliance and service quality.
Define vendor SLAs, performance metrics, and improvement plans.
Provide executive reporting on program performance and financials.
Drive continuous improvement to scale programs and enhance patient experience.

Skills

Affordability strategy

Copay assistance program management

Patient assistance, free-drug, and-?

Patient support operations

Vendor management

Service-level management

Affordability analytics

Financial planning and forecasting

Governance and process design

Cross-functional stakeholder mgmt

Continuous improvement

Compliance considerations

Microsoft Office (PowerPoint/Excel)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in business, healthcare administration, finance, life sciences, public health

Job description

Job Description

The Senior Director, US Patient Support Programs (PSP), Affordability Programs will provide strategic and operational leadership for affordability programs designed to help eligible patients access Vertex therapies. This role will lead the development, implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of patient affordability offerings, including copay assistance, patient assistance programs (PAP/free drug), Bridge, Quick Start, and other access-support programs.

This leader will establish a scalable operating model for affordability programs; build and develop a high-performing team; and ensure programs are delivered with a consistent focus on patient experience, operational excellence, appropriate governance, and compliance. The Senior Director will work closely with cross-functional partners and external affordability and patient support vendors to identify access barriers, improve program performance, and advance Vertex's commitment to patients.

This leader will report to the Executive Director of the US Patient Support Center of Excellence/Enterprise Operations.

Work Model: Hybrid or On-site

Key Responsibilities

Develop and lead the US Patient Support affordability strategy, including program objectives, operating model, performance measures, and long-term roadmap.
Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of affordability offerings, including copay, patient assistance, free-drug, bridge, and other patient access programs.
Establish program governance, policies, procedures, decision rights, and escalation processes that support consistent and effective program execution across PSP programs and vendors.
Build, lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team responsible for affordability strategy, operations, forecasting, analytics, and program performance.
Partner with Patient Support, Market Access (e.g., Government Pricing, Gross-to-Net teams), Commercial Analytics, Finance, Legal, Office of Business Integrity and Ethics (OBIE), and other stakeholders to align affordability programs with business objectives and patient needs.
Oversee external affordability and patient support vendors, including operational performance, service quality, issue resolution, governance routines, and adherence to program requirements.
In collaboration with the PSP Insights & Analytics Senior Director, define and monitor vendor performance standards, key performance indicators, service-level expectations, and improvement plans.
Ensure vendors are appropriately trained on program requirements, processes, patient experience expectations, and applicable compliance standards.
Lead affordability program analytics and reporting, using data and performance insights to identify trends, access barriers, opportunities, and risks.
Own and approve PSP Policies, Standard Operating Procedures, and Work Instructions related to PSP Affordability Programs.
Develop executive-ready reporting and communications that convey program performance, financial considerations, patient-access outcomes, and strategic recommendations.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen patient and provider experiences, operational efficiency, program scalability, and service quality.
Partner with internal stakeholders to support affordability-related financial planning, forecasting, and oversight.
Identify and mitigate operational, compliance, and reputational risks associated with affordability program design and administration.
Champion a patient-centered culture that balances access, experience, operational rigor, and responsible program management.
Represent US Patient Support Affordability Programs in cross-functional leadership forums and strategic planning activities.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in business, healthcare administration, finance, life sciences, public health, or a related field.
12+ years of progressive experience in patient support, affordability programming, healthcare operations, market access, specialty pharmacy, hub services, or a related healthcare/pharmaceutical environment
7+ years of leadership experience, including leading teams and/or complex programs with significant cross-functional and external vendor coordination.
Demonstrated experience leading affordability programs, such as copay assistance, patient assistance, free-drug, bridge, and/or other access-support offerings.
Direct experience managing copay programs and understanding key affordability program operational requirements, including managing affordability solution vendors.
Strong people-leadership experience, including building, leading, and developing teams and direct reports.
Experience managing external vendors, service providers, and/or patient support partners.
Strong understanding of the US patient access landscape, including reimbursement, affordability barriers, applicable US payer policies, patient support operations, and access-related considerations.
Demonstrated ability to challenge the status quo, develop strategy, and translate it into scalable operating plans, processes, performance measures, and results.
Experience using analytics, metrics, and performance insights to improve operations and inform strategic decisions.
Strong cross-functional leadership skills and the ability to influence stakeholders across a complex organization.
Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills.
Demonstrated judgment, accountability, and a commitment to compliant, patient-centered program delivery.

Technical Skills Required

Affordability strategy and program operations
Copay assistance program management
Patient assistance, free-drug, and bridge program oversight
Patient support operations
Vendor management and vendor governance
Service-level management and performance monitoring
Affordability analytics, reporting, and dashboard development
Key performance indicator development and performance measurement
Financial planning, forecasting, and program oversight
Governance, process design, and operational excellence
Cross-functional stakeholder management
Continuous improvement and issue-resolution methodologies
Understanding of compliance considerations relevant to patient support and affordability programs
Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint and Excel

Preferred Skills

Advanced degree, such as an MBA, MPH, PharmD, or related graduate degree.
Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, specialty pharmacy, rare disease, or complex patient-support environments.
Experience building, scaling, or transforming affordability and patient support programs.
Experience leading external hub, contact center, specialty pharmacy, or patient-support service partners.
Experience with program financial modeling, budget management, and affordability forecasting.
Deep professional network within the US PSP affordability space and knowledge of upcoming/trending solutions
Strong organizational design and change-management capabilities.
Experience developing patient-access strategies for therapies requiring complex reimbursement or affordability support.
Lean, Six Sigma, project management, or operational excellence certification.

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: $155,400 - $233,000

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 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.