Commercial Strategy Director – GCC

Job Description

Position Summary

The Commercial Strategy Director will lead the strategic commercialization, launch readiness, and execution planning for Vertex’s asset in glomerular diseases including IgA nephropathy across the GCC markets, with a primary focus on Saudi Arabia.

This role is accountable for shaping and executing the GCC portfolio strategy, identifying and driving market-shaping opportunities, and ensuring alignment with Vertex’s global priorities and cross-functional objectives.

The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership, deep market understanding, and strong cross-functional influence to accelerate access, optimize launch execution, and position Vertex as a leading innovator in glomerular diseases within the region. The role requires a leadership mindset grounded in ambition, anticipation, and agility, with the ability to proactively navigate evolving healthcare environments and deliver sustainable business impact.

• Lead the development and execution of the GCC commercial strategy for Povetacicept, ensuring alignment with Vertex’s global vision and regional healthcare transformation priorities.
• Drive launch excellence initiatives, go-to-market planning, customer engagement strategies, value proposition development, and access readiness efforts specific to glomerular diseases, including IgA Nephropathy.
• Identify, prioritize, and maximize commercial opportunities across the GCC markets through deep understanding of market dynamics, healthcare policies, competitive landscape, and evolving standards of care.
• Operate with a high degree of strategic anticipation and agility to proactively address evolving market conditions, and emerging business opportunities and risks.
• Own delivery against agreed commercial and strategic objectives, ensuring strong execution against revenue, growth, operational, and efficiency KPIs.
• Generate and consolidate actionable market insights across HCPs and patient stakeholders to inform strategic decision-making and brand planning.
• Lead cross-functional launch readiness efforts in partnership in participation with Medical, Market Access, Regulatory, Government and Public Affairs (GAPP), and International Patient Engagement (IPE), Supply Chain, and Finance teams to ensure coordinated and successful product launches.
• Partner closely with international IHQ teams to drive strategic and operational alignment required to address evolving markets and healthcare system needs.
• Drive launch excellence through disciplined planning, execution governance, risk mitigation, and performance tracking across all launch phases.
• Drive integrated strategic planning and operational excellence across internal stakeholders, ensuring customer and market needs are effectively translated into execution plans and organizational priorities.
• Develop robust business cases supporting investment decisions, resource allocation, capability building, and portfolio expansion across the region.
• Collaborate within external nephrology and glomerular disease ecosystem through strategic engagement with scientific leaders, healthcare institutions, policymakers, and advocacy stakeholders.
• Represents the GCC region in regional and global strategic forums, ensuring GCC needs and insights are reflected in broader organizational planning.
• Represents Vertex externally at scientific meetings, conferences, industry events, and strategic engagement to strengthen the company’s profile and support long-term business development opportunities.
• Ensure all commercial activities are conducted in full compliance with Vertex code of conduct, SOPs and all applicable laws and regulations across GCC markets.

• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical/Life Sciences or related discipline and/ or MBA or advanced business degree

• Minimum of 10 years of experience within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, including significant experience in commercial strategy, specialty launches, or rare disease commercialization.
• Demonstrated experience leading launch preparation and commercial execution within specialty or innovative therapeutic areas.
• Prior experience in nephrology, rare diseases or specialty care is strongly preferred.
• Strong experience across GCC markets, with Saudi Arabia experience considered essential.

• Strong cross-functional leadership capabilities with proven ability to operate effectively within complex matrix organizations.
• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing commercial strategies that drive measurable business outcomes. Experience in successfully launching innovative and preferably rare disease therapies in GCC healthcare systems.
• Deep understanding of GCC healthcare systems, healthcare transformation agendas, market access environments, and stakeholder ecosystems.
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams and senior leadership levels.
• Strong track record of effectively engaging with healthcare providers, and government stakeholders in the GCC.
• Strong analytical, financial, and business acumen with ability to translate insights into actionable strategies.
• High level of ambition, accountability, agility, and execution focus, with ability to manage competing priorities in fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate challenges, navigate uncertainty, and lead through complexity and change.
• Strong project management and operational planning capabilities.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal), and presentation skills.
• Sound understanding of compliance frameworks and regulatory requirements across GCC markets.
• Excellent command of oral and written English and Arabic.

• Frequent travel within GCC may be required.
• Position is based in Riyadh, KSA.

Flex Designation:

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 [email protected]