Sr Director, Disease Area Lead - GKD Disease Strategy Team

Job Description

General Summary:

The Senior Director, BSMO (Biopharmaceutical Sciences & Manufacturing Operations) GKD (Genetic Kidney Disease) Disease Area Lead represents BSMO at the GKD Disease Strategy Team (DST). The incumbent will provide strategic and operational leadership for all BSMO activities supporting programs within the GKD DST. This role is accountable for driving an integrated BSMO program strategy, alignment, and execution across Pharmaceutical Sciences, CMTO, Quality, Supply Chain, Regulatory, Finance, and other relevant functions, to support development, launch, and lifecycle management of disease area products.

As a core member of the GKD DST, this leader will partner cross‑functionally to translate disease strategy into executable technical and operational plans that enable reliable, compliant delivery of medicines for patients with serious metabolic disease. By sitting on the GKD DST, this role ensures alignment of BSMO priorities and resources with the broader disease area strategy, and ensures that both BSMO has appropriate visibility to the disease area on-going developments and that the DST has a clear understanding of BSMO activities and capabilities. This role reports to the Vice President, Disease Team Integration, with a dotted‑line relationship to the Vice President, Disease Area Executive – GKD.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of the BSMO program strategy for GKD programs, aligned with disease, clinical & commercial strategies.
• Serve as the BSMO representative on the GKD Disease Strategy Team (DST), supporting governance, planning, and risk discussions.
• Provide integrated leadership across Pharmaceutical Sciences, CMTO, Quality, Supply Chain, and external partners to ensure program readiness.
• Partners cross-functionally within BSMO to ensure integration of plans to develop and commercialize disease area products, ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Support CMC regulatory strategy and submissions in partnership with Regulatory, including health authority interactions as needed.
• Lead cross‑functional BSMO teams to deliver against program milestones in a matrixed environment, which requires having a robust understanding of the role of each BSMO function.
• Build effective partnerships with internal stakeholders, both within BSMO and more broadly across Vertex.
• Identify and manage program‑level technical, operational, and supply risks, ensuring appropriate escalation and mitigation planning.
• Own BSMO program budgets, forecasts, and resource plans, aligning with functional and DST priorities.
• Track and communicate program status, KPIs, and risks to BSMO and GKD leadership.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing, development and/or supply.
• Capability to build cross-functional alignment including R&D, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Regulatory, Finance, Commercial and Manufacturing partners.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in critical thinking, influence, negotiation, problem solving, strategic thinking and leadership in a matrix environment.
• Demonstrated strong leadership capability.
• Demonstrated ability to influence areas not under direct control to achieve objectives and effectively communicate challenging goals and objectives.

Education and Experience:

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related discipline; PhD and/or MBA preferred.
• 12+ years of experience, or equivalent, in pharmaceutical development, manufacturing, and supply chain.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross‑functional program teams.

Pay Range:

$218,400 - $327,600

Disclosure Statement:

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. 

#LI-Hybrid
 

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 ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com