Job Description
General Summary
The Associate Director, External Innovation reports into the Executive Director, External Innovation and Portfolio Operations, and is responsible for conducting scientific, clinical and commercial analysis, monitoring company/technology evolution across the biopharma landscape and contribute to the evaluation of collaboration/acquisition opportunities that are aligned with the corporate strategy.
As a member of the External Innovation team, you will contribute across phases of evaluation of external opportunities, participate to cross-functional projects with the transactions and alliance management teams, and manage cross-functional relationships to ensure communication and alignment across stakeholders.
Responsibilities
Conducts analysis and tracks opportunities and topics for landscape analysis, and companies for evaluations
Prepares materials and evaluation summaries to inform decision-making, including organizing, documenting, interpreting and coherently summarizing cross-functional input of new technology landscaping projects & external business opportunities in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic arenas
Participates as a member of evaluation teams in planning, coordinating, and executing rigorous research and evaluation of assigned idea/target
Builds and maintains relationships with transaction and alliance management teams, and ensures communication and coordination across departments
Participates in engagement with scientific and clinical subject matter experts, across various functional areas (R&D, Regulatory, Manufacturing etc.).
Coordinates organizational governance meetings including BD meetings internally and externally with appropriate evaluation teams
Utilizes technology-enabled tools to increase scientific insights and improve operations, process and knowledge management.
Knowledge and Skills
Broad-based scientific training supporting high learning agility across fields relevant to drug discovery, development and commercialization
Understanding and application of basic economic, commercial and financial factors driving value creation (business acumen)
Ability to apply scientific, clinical, regulatory and commercial expertise as well as knowledge of the external landscape, to help shape program strategy and drive program decisions
Ability to synthesize diverse data and information sources into actionable insights and recommendations
Ability to develop independently and deliver clear audience-tailored slide decks and other communications to build internal stakeholder support and alignment (inclusive of senior management)
Effective communication and negotiation skills
Demonstrated leadership skills including impact on cross-functional teams output
Position Requirements:
Advanced scientific degree (Ph.D., M.D., Pharm.D., D.V.M., etc.)
7+ years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience, preferably with drug discovery and early development experience; equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
Experience as a sell-side or consulting analyst preferred; experience modeling mature markets a plus.
Pay Range:
$170,400 - $255,600Disclosure 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 EligibleFlex 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]
Skills Required
- Advanced scientific degree such as Ph.D., M.D., Pharm.D., or D.V.M.
- 7 or more years of biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry experience
- Drug discovery and early development experience
- Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered
- Experience as a sell-side or consulting analyst
- Experience modeling mature markets
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Vertex Pharmaceuticals and has not been reviewed or approved by Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
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Parental & Family Support — Policies provide 12 weeks of 100% paid bonding leave for all U.S. parents with additional fully paid time for birth parents. Family-forming supports include adoption and surrogacy assistance, fertility options like IVF and egg cryopreservation, breast‑milk shipping, subsidized childcare, backup care, and a DCFSA match.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time off includes roughly four weeks of vacation, 13 holidays, sick time, and two companywide shutdowns (summer and year‑end). Some roles also include flexible or unlimited time off and paid volunteer time.
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Retirement Support — Programs include a 401(k) plan with employer contributions and an employee stock purchase plan. Filings describe employer contributions occurring in company stock, supporting long‑term ownership.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Insights
What We Do
Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious and life-threatening diseases. We discovered and developed the first medicines to treat the underlying cause of cystic fibrosis (CF), a rare, life-threatening genetic disease. In addition to clinical development programs in CF, Vertex has more than a dozen ongoing research programs focused on the underlying mechanisms of other serious diseases. Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, our corporate headquarters is now located in Boston’s Innovation District, and our international headquarters is in London, United Kingdom. We currently employ approximately 3,500 people in the United States, Europe, Canada, Australia and Latin America with nearly two-thirds of our staff dedicated to research and development. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry’s top places to work by Science Magazine, The Boston Globe, Boston Business Journal and the San Diego Business Journal. Our research and medicines have also received esteemed recognitions, including the Robert J. Beall Therapeutics Development Award, the French Prix Galien and the British Pharmacological Society awards.
