Apheresis & Infusion Specialist (AIS), Assoc. Director

Job Description

We are adding to our passionate, patient and customer-centric team to support our journey to advance, develop, and deliver cell and genetic therapies supporting Hemoglobinopathies.

At Vertex, the diversity and authenticity of our people is part of what makes us unique, and we recognize that each employee brings diverse perspectives and strengths. By embracing those strengths and celebrating differences, we are fostering an inclusive culture where each of us can bring our authentic selves to work, inspire innovation together, and change people’s lives.

Our vision is clear: to be the place where an authentic, diverse mix of talent want to come, to stay, and do their best work.  Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work. 

We are looking for a remarkable individual to join us on this journey!
 

General/Position Summary
The Apheresis & Infusion Specialist (AIS), Associate Director will be a customer-centric member of the team that is able to self-lead in an ever-evolving environment, embody mental resilience, maintain a strategic problem-solving mindset, and effectively collaborate with internal and external stakeholders.

The successful candidate will bring a strong clinical understanding of cell and gene therapy with the ability to manage complex treatment logistics with regulatory and compliance requirements. They can think broadly, strategically, and thrive in a fast-changing environment and possess exceptional organizational and time management skills.

The focus of this position is to provide education, training and support to Authorized Treatment Centers (ATCs) regarding key points in the cellular therapy process relating to the Vertex gene editing therapy.  This could include apheresis, packaging and shipping, final product receipt and storage as well as infusion.

This is a field-based position based in the south-central US. This position reports to the Senior Director, Apheresis & Infusion Operations for North America.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver excellent stakeholder experience for commercial operations of Vertex gene therapy.
• Strong customer focus, intent on building relationships with the key ATC stakeholders to help ATCs optimize patient outcomes related to the product.

• Engage in site qualification, partnering with cross-functional Vertex team members to evaluate treatment centers, ensuring their ability to conduct activities associated with assigned commercial requirements including compliance with standards established by the applicable regulatory and licensing bodies including FACT, FDA, AABB, etc.

• Participate in cross-functional onboarding meetings with ATC team members to provide cell therapy expertise to help support the patient journey.

• Provides on-site and/or remote education, training, and support, to facilitate applicable product handling and labeling requirements.  May involve some work outside of normal business hours as dictated by treatment center needs.

• Participate as key member of the Apheresis & Infusion Specialist team as well as the Commercial field team.
• Partner with the ATC quality team to identify and resolve quality events
• Collaborate with internal cross functional partners to identify areas of responsibility that contribute to process improvement and the launch of cell and gene therapy.
• Work closely with the manufacturing and supply chain functions to ensure the traceability of patient cells throughout the patient treatment journey.

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree required

Preferred Knowledge/Skills
 

• Minimum of 7 years of experience, with 3-5 years of recent (within 2 years) blood and marrow transplant experience
• Strong apheresis and/or cellular therapeutics knowledge and experience
• Experience with clinical trials, research activities, or commercial cell & gene therapies
• Effective decision making, priority setting and time management skills.
• Demonstrated confidence with presenting, teaching and training in a group setting.
• Proficient computer skills (MS office, Cloud-based programs, Quality Management Systems)
• Must be willing to travel up to 70%; may include weekend travel
• Ability to be flexible in a fast-paced environment working with urgency to meet stakeholder needs.
• Ability to work efficiently and independently in a field –based role with limited supervision.
• A solid compliance mindset and demonstrated integrity on the job.
• Strong verbal and written skills; ability to provide focus and clarity; able to handle confidential information and material appropriately.

Pay Range:

Disclosure Statement:

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 [email protected]