Job Description
General Summary:
The Associate Director, Preclinical Sciences, Program Management and Strategic Operations, will be responsible for the integration, creation, and execution of multiple complex pharmaceutical development/regulatory plans. By collaborating closely with Project Leaders, cross-functional Project Team members, and contract research partners, the incumbent develops and maintains fully integrated project plans to ensure that deliverables are successfully executed, are in accordance with project and disease area objectives, and are within budget. The incumbent is also responsible for comprehensive communication, including status reporting, risk management and escalation of issues to cross-functional stakeholders and Senior Management.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- With support, establish project team operating norms and measure performance
- Independently leads teams for critical development projects
- Reviews and compiles the developed plans, budgets, and logistics for projects and assists in scenario planning to provide alternate development plans, along with the associated assumptions and risks
- Works directly with contract research organization (CRO) partners on scheduling and reporting of important preclinical deliverables
- Effectively summarizes key information such as program progress, timelines updates, and
risk/opportunity assessments for periodic presentations to management
- Methodically tracks all high-level program deliverables, and seek out innovative ways to stay abreast of this multi-dimensional task, such as new operational practices or advanced technology
- Leads and supports worldwide regulatory submissions from a nonclinical perspective
- Forecasting and maintaining program budget, including oversight of programs of direct reports
- Mentors staff on professional and ethical development, motivate personnel, and resolves conflicts
- Upon request and in conjunction with supervisor, craft goals for direct reports and ensure linkage to personal goals in support of corporate goals
- Apply subject matter expertise to mentor subordinate managers and high-level professionals
- May serve as study representative on preclinical studies.
- Manage one or more direct reports
Required Education Level
Bachelor’s Degree
Required Experience
Typically requires 10 years of work experience or the
equivalent combination of education and experience
Required Knowledge/Skills
- Broad and comprehensive knowledge of GLP regulations
- Comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical drug discovery and development (full life-cycle)across multiple preclinical
disciplines (e.g., research, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, toxicology, biomarkers, etc.)
- Extensive understanding of preclinical regulatory submissions documentation and process
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Exhibits an understanding of disciplines beyond own specialty area
- Effectively influences decision and outcomes across teams
Preferred Skills:
- Knowledge of or experience working in an outsourced preclinical model
- Preclinical Regulatory experience in both IND/CTA and global marketing submissions
Pay Range:
$155,700 - $233,500Disclosure 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
- Bachelor's Degree
- Typically requires 10 years of work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Broad and comprehensive knowledge of GLP regulations
- Comprehensive knowledge of pharmaceutical drug discovery and development across multiple preclinical disciplines (e.g., DMPK, toxicology, biomarkers)
- Extensive understanding of preclinical regulatory submissions documentation and process
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to independently lead teams for critical development projects and establish team operating norms
- Experience working with CRO partners on scheduling and reporting of preclinical deliverables
- Experience forecasting and maintaining program budgets, including oversight of programs of direct reports
- Experience mentoring staff, resolving conflicts, and managing one or more direct reports
- Knowledge of or experience working in an outsourced preclinical model
- Preclinical regulatory experience in IND/CTA and global marketing submissions
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.







