Job Description
General Summary:
The Communications Senior Director develops and leads global external and internal communications activities for several Vertex-approved products and pipeline programs to drive a greater understanding of Vertex's business strategy, robust pipeline and specific diseases of focus.
This role will focus on collaborating with cross-functional partners, including commercial, medical, government affairs, regulatory and patient advocacy, among others, to deliver effective and compliant communications across a range of channels including developing product communications plans and leading brand-level communications activities from a program’s inception through launch and lifecycle management.
As a people manager within the organization, this role also has financial accountabilities and human resource responsibilities for assigned staff.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and drive the internal and external communications strategy for certain approved products and pipeline programs, acting as the global communications lead in collaboration with cross functional teams
- Manage creation of materials to support brand communications for late-stage milestones
- Identify potential brand and franchise-related issues and develop proactive issues management strategies
- Serve as liaison and communications advisor for key internal stakeholders through the Disease Strategy Teams and Business Unit Leadership Teams
- Establish and maintain relationships with key healthcare, business and trade reporters
- Manage PR firm relationships – from initial RFP and onboarding through lifecycle of the engagement - and budgets and ensure alignment between regional communications teams
- Maintain in-depth knowledge of portfolio and brand businesses inclusive of strategies, goals and market challenges
- Develop clear and compelling messaging platforms that will resonate with key audiences and maintain all communications collateral materials
- Work collaboratively with the head of international communications and in-country teams to develop globally relevant and culturally appropriate program communications to support ex-U.S. launches
- Drive Vertex's corporate narrative, image and brand and communicate it appropriately and effectively through external channels
- Serve as a member of the corporate communications leadership team, contributing to overall team development, helping establish best practices across the team and providing mentorship/leadership coaching to junior team members
Knowledge and Skills:
- Experience in product communications within the biotech or pharma industry
- Crisis and issues management experience
- Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical/biotech business model, regulatory and reimbursement processes and current industry trends
- Experience leading global communications efforts to support the launch of a novel or first-of-its-kind therapy
- Proficiency in translating high science content into meaningful messages for external audiences
- Strong media experience and successful track record as a spokesperson
- People management experience
- Experience working on a day-to-day basis with senior leaders and/or C-suite level management
- Ability to handle confidential information in a professional manner
- Outstanding verbal and written communications skills
- Proven ability to anticipate communications needs based on the lifecycle of a product and competitive landscape and an ability to adapt approach to a challenge
- Ability to successfully influence without authority and develop strong internal partnerships
Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in communications, liberal arts, business or science-oriented field (or international equivalent)
- Typically requires 12 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience
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.
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
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.
