Job Description
Job Title: Senior Director, Head of Technical Services, T1D Cell Therapy Manufacturing Operations
Department: Manufacturing Operations
Reports To: Vice President, Type 1 Diabetes Manufacturing Operations
Location: Boston, MA and Portsmouth, NH
Work Model: Full time on site or hybrid eligible
Vertex is seeking a Senior Director, Head of Technical Services to lead manufacturing-facing technical support for our Type 1 Diabetes Stem Cell Therapy Manufacturing Operations organization. This leader will oversee real-time GMP manufacturing support, troubleshooting, investigation support, operational process monitoring, manufacturing readiness, and implementation of approved process changes. The role requires deep experience in cell therapy manufacturing, strong people leadership, and the ability to partner effectively across Manufacturing, MSAT, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain.
Job SummaryAt Vertex, we invest in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. We are seeking an experienced and strategic leader to serve as Senior Director, Head of Technical Services for T1D Cell Therapy External Manufacturing Operations organization.
This role leads the manufacturing-facing technical function responsible for enabling reliable, compliant, and efficient execution of complex cell therapy manufacturing processes across clinical and commercial operations. The Head of Technical Services provides leadership for real-time manufacturing support, technical troubleshooting, investigation support, operational process monitoring, manufacturing readiness, and implementation of approved process changes in GMP operations.
This is a highly visible leadership role requiring expertise in cell therapy manufacturing, strong cross-functional influence, and a passion for translating process complexity into operational excellence.
Key Responsibilities• Lead the Technical Services function supporting GMP manufacturing of cell-derived therapies for Type 1 Diabetes.
• Provide technical leadership for cell therapy manufacturing operations
• Serve as the senior technical escalation point for manufacturing issues affecting batch execution, product quality, cycle time, or supply reliability.
• Lead technical troubleshooting and support timely resolution of deviations, investigations, atypical events, and process excursions.
• Drive operational process monitoring and trend review to identify emerging risks, improve execution consistency, and enhance manufacturing performance.
• Own Technical Services readiness for process changes, campaign startup, new product introduction, and transferred processes entering GMP manufacturing.
• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, Engineering, Supply Chain, Regulatory, and CMC teams to support robust execution and inspection readiness.
• Build, develop, and mentor a high-performing team of technical subject matter experts supporting manufacturing operations.
• Foster a culture of quality, accountability, technical rigor, collaboration, inclusion, and patient focus.
Success in this role requires building a strong and effective partnership with Manufacturing, MSAT, and Quality while maintaining clear accountability across functions. This role is expected to be primarily onsite given the importance of close partnership with GMP manufacturing operations and cross-functional teams supporting manufacturing execution.
Minimum Qualifications• Advanced degree in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field.
• 15+ years of relevant industry experience in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, cell therapy, or other advanced therapy manufacturing environments.
• 8+ years of progressive people leadership experience, including experience leading managers and cross-functional technical teams.
• Demonstrated success leading manufacturing-facing technical support in a GMP-regulated environment.
• Strong experience with deviations, investigations, troubleshooting, batch support, change implementation, and operational problem-solving.
• Proven ability to influence across Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and process science organizations.
Leadership ProfileThe ideal candidate will bring:
• strong technical depth in advanced therapy manufacturing
• a practical, solutions-oriented approach to troubleshooting and execution support
• strong judgment in high-stakes manufacturing environments
• the ability to create clarity at functional interfaces, especially between Technical Services, Manufacturing, and MSAT
• a track record of building teams and developing leaders
• a strong commitment to quality, compliance, and patient impact
About VertexVertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. Guided by our commitment to patients, we pursue advances in science, technology, and medicine to tackle diseases where we can make a meaningful difference.
Our teams bring together deep scientific expertise, operational excellence, and a bold sense of purpose. We are committed to fostering an environment where people can do their best work, grow their careers, and help deliver therapies that have the potential to transform lives.
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:
$216,900 - $325,300Disclosure 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 degree in Bioengineering, Chemical Engineering, Bioprocess Engineering, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a related field
- 15+ years of relevant industry experience in biotechnology, biopharmaceutical, cell therapy, or advanced therapy manufacturing environments
- 8+ years of progressive people leadership experience, including leading managers and cross-functional technical teams
- Experience leading manufacturing-facing technical support in a GMP-regulated environment
- Strong experience with deviations, investigations, troubleshooting, batch support, change implementation, and operational problem-solving
- Ability to influence across Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Supply Chain, and process science organizations
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.
