Job Description
Position Summary:
This role has overall accountability for strategic leadership and oversight of the end-to-end quality assurance strategy for proactive, risk-informed, and sustainable quality oversight and compliance with regulatory expectations across Vertex processes for clinical evidence generation and product vigilance.
Responsibilities:
• Serves as a strategic partner to functional leaders across product modalities responsible for Research (including both non-regulated and GLP work), Biomarker Development, and Diagnostics in assuring appropriate quality/compliance oversight of processes and systems supporting effective delivery of these programs and the rigor and integrity of associated data.
• Defines strategy for and oversees tactical execution strategic plan by direct reports to provide effective oversight of research, assay development in support of pre-clinical and clinical research, GLP animal studies, in vitro diagnostic development, and all R&D vendors. Assures operational quality activities are informed by risk and assure the integrity of data submitted to regulatory authorities and in external forums.
• Responsible for assuring that key research & pre-clinical studies (internal and external) are performed in accordance with good scientific practices, good laboratory practices, Vertex policies and procedures and relevant local, regional, and international requirements.
• Leads an operational quality team responsible for identifying and anticipating potential compliance issues that may impact the ability to meet business goals, developing and implementing methods of improvement and resolution in a pragmatic and effective manner
• Oversees effective, timely, and appropriate identification, remediation, and escalation of quality issues in key Research, GLP, Biomarker, IVD and vendor governance-related activities across Vertex.
• Provides periodic updates on the overall health of Research, GLP, Biomarker, and IVD development-related processes and systems to functional leaders across Research, Biomarker Development, and Diagnostics.
• Oversees and assures timely and effective communication of summary trending and other insights on the quality of delivery in research, preclinical, biomarker, IVD work, and vendor performance to relevant business and quality leaders and in relevant forums.
• Oversees Inspection Readiness activities in collaboration with business and Quality Assurance partners related to research, GLP, biomarkers, IVD development activities.
• Chairs relevant operational governance meetings (e.g. QLT)
• Serves as the R&D Quality lead and oversees and guides staff participating in strategic cross-functional initiatives (e.g. Research Ethics, TPRM) to improve quality, data integrity, and compliance to regulatory requirements and standards, ensuring a aligned Quality point-of-view is represented.
• Maintains an in-depth understanding of business principles, industry dynamics, regulatory environment, market trends, and specific operational details related to Research, GLP, Biomarker, and IVD activities.
• Drives and oversees implementation of new and evolving regulatory requirements related to areas of responsibility.
• Leads and/or participates in industry forums and external initiatives related to areas of responsibility to influence policy development related to oversight of these activities, as aligned with functional leadership and Vertex interests.
• Provides strategic direction, oversight, coaching and mentoring to direct reports.
Required years of experience and education:
• M.S. (or equivalent degree) and 10 +years of relevant work experience, or
• B.S. in a scientific or allied health field (or equivalent degree) and 15+ years of relevant work experience, or relevant comparable background
#LI-JS1 #LI-hybrid
At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.
Pay Range:
$215,000 - $322,400Disclosure 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
- M.S. or equivalent degree with 10 or more years of relevant work experience
- B.S. in a scientific or allied health field, or equivalent degree, with 15 or more years of relevant work experience
- Relevant comparable background may be considered
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
