Executive Director, Portfolio & Program Management

Executive Director, Portfolio & Program Management

Job Description

The Executive Director, Portfolio & Program Management is a global leadership role within the Program and Portfolio Management (PPM) organization. The role is accountable for all program management efforts across the drug development lifecycle and commercialization, including Disease Area Strategy Teams (DST), Program Teams (PT), and research PTs, ensuring end-to-end integration with DST strategy for a subset of Vertex’s portfolio diseases. This role drives organizational design, strategic growth, and operational excellence, with expanded scope to lead multiple disease areas and mentor senior program managers.

This position is based in our Boston, MA location (Seaport area) and requires a hybrid work schedule with 3 days in office /2 days remote on a weekly basis.

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and operational leadership to multiple cross-functional teams, spanning research, clinical, and marketed products.
• Lead and mentor Senior Directors and PPM staff across at least one additional disease area (“player/coach” model).
• Drive synergies and scalability across disease areas, optimizing resource allocation to deliver on Vertex portfolio priorities.
• Set strategy and oversee decision-making for high-priority and complex programs, ensuring alignment with corporate objectives.
• Champion organizational design principles to enable agile, scalable teams and career development opportunities.
• Represent PPM on governance forums and with senior leaders, influencing strategic direction and portfolio growth.
• Propose and implement innovative approaches and process improvements to maximize operational excellence.
• Oversee financial and human resource accountability for expanded teams (direct and indirect reports).
• Ensure integration of research, development and commercialization of program management efforts with DST strategy.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences or a relevant field.
• Typically requires 15+ years of experience, including 7+ years of management experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading large, complex teams and programs at a global level.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Deep expertise in portfolio and program management, strategic planning, risk management and resource management across multiple disease areas.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor senior program managers and high-level professionals.
• Advanced business management and financial acumen to drive value creation.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Pharmaceutical drug discovery and development expertise across disciplines.

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: $260,800 - $391,200

Disclosure 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 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.

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.

About Vertex

Help Us Achieve Our Mission

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. The company has approved medicines that treat the underlying causes of multiple chronic, life-shortening genetic diseases — cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia — and continues to advance clinical and research programs in these diseases. Vertex also has a robust clinical pipeline of investigational therapies across a range of modalities in other serious diseases where it has deep insight into causal human biology, including APOL1-mediated kidney disease, acute and neuropathic pain, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1 and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency .

Founded in 1989 in Cambridge, Mass., Vertex's global headquarters is now located in Boston's Innovation District and its international headquarters is in London. Additionally, the company has research and development sites and commercial offices in North America, Europe, Australia, Latin America and the Middle East. Vertex is consistently recognized as one of the industry's top places to work, including 14 consecutive years on Science magazine's Top Employers list and one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For company updates and to learn more about Vertex's history of innovation, visit www.vrtx.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X , LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram.

The diversity and authenticity of our people is part of what makes Vertex unique, and we recognize that each employee brings diverse perspectives and strengths. By embracing those strengths and celebrating differences, we are fostering an inclusive culture where each of us can bring our authentic selves to work, inspire innovation together, and change people’s lives.

Our vision is clear: to be the place where an authentic, diverse mix of talent want to come, to stay, and do their best work.

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