Project Management & Strategic Operations Director Boston Research
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Boston, MA
Permanent
Full-time
1 month ago
Job DescriptionGeneral Summary: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.We are seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as the Project Management and Strategic Operations Director for Boston Research. In this critical role, the individual will partner with the Boston Research Site Head on a variety of strategic, research, operational, and organizational topics to enable effective delivery on portfolio goals with a focus on functional and cross-functional project management excellence. The successful applicant will leverage their scientific training and become a core member of the Boston Research Leadership Team (BRLT), working closely with cross-functional leaders to shape and ensure alignment with strategic objectives with a focus on achieving simplification in approaches to how the function operates and driving the team to execute with excellence The role is both strategic and operational and provides a unique opportunity to interact with leaders across the CSO organization, including but not limited to Preclinical Sciences and Computational Sciences, as well as colleagues spanning all levels and functions.The role will report to the Boston Research Site Head.Key Duties & Responsibilities:Strategic
Works as a thought partner with the BRLT to define special projects and initiatives, paying particular attention to topics related to enabling Portfolio Delivery and nurturing our Culture.
Proactively identify roadblocks and/or constraints impacting strategic imperatives or project execution (e.g. related to the R&D pipeline, organizational effectiveness, technology and innovation), develops proposed solutions and manages special projects and high-profile initiatives towards improvement, Partner with senior leaders and/or team lead(s) to align strategy, goals and milestones with corporate objectives
Operational
Supports the BRLT’s strategic plans including proactive design and development of processes to enable the BRLT to achieve their objectives; this includes, but is not limited to, managing BRLT meetings and agendas, goal setting, tracking of progress towards the site’s scientific portfolio and cultural initiatives and team-building activities.
Liaises cross-functionally in support of Corporate Planning initiatives including workforce, budget planning and CapEx planning and ensures alignment and coordination on a wide variety of cross-functional initiatives with partner functions such as HR, Finance, Communications, Facilities, etc.
Create and maintain a portfolio tracker for the site
Supports meetings, retreats, and special events planning
Communications
Acts as a liaison between Boston Research Site Head, the BRLT and other senior leaders, to ensure awareness of progress and key risks, and coordination on a wide variety of cross-functional initiatives.
Supports the Boston Research Site Head in defining and developing high-impact executive communications as needed, including presentations for the Executive Committee, as well as Town Hall meetings and other oral and written communications for internal and external audiences.
Supports Boston Research Site Head with all VIGR accountabilities preparation and other scientific events (eg. Science Day, CSO visit).
Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline with 12+ years in the pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology industries or Ph.D. with 8+ years in the pharmaceutical and/or biotechnology industries.
Leadership experience managing cross-functional teams with an ability to influence teams to prioritize activities and allocate resources
Exceptional ability to balance multiple tasks and priorities
Outstanding communication skills in both prose and presentations to diverse audiences
Strong listening skills and ability to synthesize and report diverse perspectives
Collaborative style, with an ability to build trust, manage conflict and influence multiple stakeholders
Independently navigates organizational complexities, recommends solutions, and builds support
Strategic thinker with a proven track record of driving successfully to implementation
Innovative leader with openness to and skeptical evaluation of new ideas
Embraces unexpected change or challenge and drives to improved solutions
Self-motivated; Acts independently and prioritizes appropriately
Demonstrated analytical and data interpretation skills
Solid business knowledge with knowledge of related functions outside of Boston Research organization
The highest level of ethics and commitment to Vertex’s core values and beliefs
Vertex was founded in 1989 and has its global headquarters in Boston, with international headquarters 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 or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter/X.In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or selectOn-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.#LI-Hybrid#LI-BS1Company InformationVertex 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.
