Job Description
General Summary:
Vertex is currently seeking an experienced leader with expertise in nonclinical pharmacology and drug development to lead the Preclinical Pharmacology team. The Senior Director, Pharmacology will lead a team of scientists who are responsible for the design, implementation and execution of in vivo pharmacology studies and ex vivo assays to support the advancement of Type 1 diabetes cell therapy programs to successful IND filings. This includes design and execution of pharmacology assays to determine drug potency, efficacy and mechanism of action, the maintenance of structural organization within cross-functional teams, as well as the scientific and managerial coordination of personnel. In addition, this role will be responsible for integrating key functional workstreams required for nonclinical development of T1D-related cell therapies, including in vivo pharmacology studies and ex vivo biomarker analysis. The ideal candidate will have a clear track record of successfully leading pharmacology teams, a PhD in Pharmacology, Immunology, or a related biomedical discipline, demonstrated extensive experience within the diabetes disease area and/or cell therapies in the biopharmaceutical industry and have participated in preparation of regulatory filings.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Leads all internal and external preclinical pharmacology activities supporting multiple Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) programs.
- Provides leadership, strategic oversight, organizational structure, and resource management of the pharmacology team.
- Contributes to a team culture that promotes collaboration and open communication with key stakeholders, internal teams and external partners to ensure alignment of research objectives.
- Develops team goals and ensures alignment to personnel goals in support of the corporate goals.
- Acts as subject matter expert as part of project team(s); communicating recommendations related to study plans, methods, analysis and timelines in a clear and timely manner.
- Monitors the activities of staff and provides reliable mentorship and guidance for them to succeed and grow.
- Ensures quality and integrity of all preclinical research activities.
- Manages resources, timelines and budget to support all internal and external nonclinical pharmacology activities.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in Pharmacology, Immunology or a related discipline and at least 11 years of relevant experience in the biopharmaceutical industry, or Master’s Degree (or equivalent degree) in Pharmacology, Immunology or a related discipline and at least 15 years of relevant biopharma experience, or Bachelor’s Degree (or equivalent degree) and 20+ years of relevant biopharma experience.
- Extensive experience in leading non-GLP and GLP studies and management of external studies contracted with CROs.
- Proven success and experience in preparing study reports and authoring regulatory documents (IND/CTA/IB/BLA) for submission to health authorities as part of regulatory filings is required.
- Prior experience managing a preclinical pharmacology team responsible for conducting small and large animal research.
- Experience in cell therapy and/or Type 1 Diabetes research and development
Education and Experience:
- Effectively interacts with senior management and integrates activities across the organization.
- Exhibits an outstanding record in multiple development projects, enabling the success of others.
- Highly evolved understanding of pharmacology and other key scientific fields that impinge on primary area(s) of responsibility.
- Excellent business-oriented oral and written communication and presentation skills.
Flex Designation:
On-Site Designated
Flex Eligibility Status:
In this On-Site designated role, you will 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 [email protected]
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.
