Executive Director, Global Medical Lead - HEME

Job Description

General Summary:

The Executive Director, Global Medical Lead (GML), HEME is a critical leadership role in Global Medical, responsible for the global medical strategy and implementation and tracking of global activities for a designated disease area(s). Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, disease area specific Integrated Medical Plan development, including the publication plan, global launch strategy and execution, scientific leadership, external medical expert engagement, and strategic alignment with commercial and other cross‑functional business partners. This leader will also be critical in leading post‑approval evidence generation strategy in the disease area.

This leader reports directly to the VP, Global Medical and is a core member of the Global Medical leadership team. They will lead the global medical affairs team for the designated disease area(s) and represents Medical Affairs in all Global strategic teams with Development and Commercial, including the Disease Strategy Team (DST) to drive cross‑functional alignment, anticipate future needs, and contribute to Medical Affairs and Vertex’s long‑term success.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Medical Strategy

Lead the development, implementation, execution, and communication of the Integrated Medical Plans, including but not limited to medical strategy, global tactical plan, publication, congress and post‑approval evidence generation plan, in collaboration with Clinical Development, HEOR, RWE, Medical Writing, and other internal stakeholders across Vertex

Ensure alignment of medical strategy with organizational objectives by integrating individual and disease area team goals with Vertex and DST priorities, and the goals of cross‑functional partners

Expertly distills insights and actionable outcomes that inform strategy and drive the greatest impact for Medical Affairs

Establishes and tracks medical KPIs that demonstrate impact on business and patient outcomes

Applies structured problem‑solving and root cause analysis to identify solutions and make decisions that maximize medical and business impact

Able to identify what is important and impactful to medical and the wider business, prioritize competing demands and communication to key stakeholders

Accountable for development of the global disease area budget, management of funds allocation, and associated tracking to ensure alignment with Medical Affairs priorities and efficient resource allocation

Scientific Excellence

Serve as product and disease area expert and primary contact point for all global disease area related issues with the external community and internally at Vertex

Able to lead development of peer‑reviewed publications, congress presentations and evidence generation to shape clinical practice

Closely follow medical developments within disease area and disseminate new information to transform clinical trends and emerging data into new plans

Lead the development of global scientific communications and materials including materials for global‑led symposia, advisory boards, and training

Accountable for medical review of assigned brand‑related content and global medical content aligned with Vertex SOPs

External Partnerships

Represent Vertex at scientific and medical forums, including medical education forums, scientific societies, patient advocacy groups, and congresses

Accountable for engaging and cultivating relationships with leading global key thought leaders (TL) to gain greater understanding of the disease area and insights into unmet patient needs

Medical Communication

Tailors communication to stakeholder needs, building trust and understanding across diverse audiences

Deliver external presentations (advisory board meetings, symposia, other medical education meetings) to enhance the medical knowledge of pipeline and marketed products, as required and in accordance with relevant regulations and procedures

Support disease area training across the company as required

Responsible for medical interpretation of data (clinical trials, registries, published literature, etc.) for pipeline therapies and marketed medicines

Regional Medical and Cross‑Functional Collaboration

Accountable for go‑to‑market model and medical partnership in commercialization with global cross‑functional colleagues

In absence of regional teams, country go‑to‑market model remains the responsibility of the GML

Support regional Medical Affairs and Medical Excellence teams from launch through lifecycle via timely delivery of fit‑for‑purpose training and core materials

Responsible for driving alignment on medical content/messaging within the organization to ensure maximal functional and regional input

Medical Affairs leader on key global cross‑functional product and development strategic focused teams, including DST and relevant sub‑teams

Effectively represents and communicates DST priorities to the medical function and proactively communicates and represents medical needs to DST

Chair the Global Medical Area Team (GMAT) for the disease area and accountable for deliverables

Commercial & Enterprise Support

Provide strategic Medical Affairs leadership on relevant commercial teams including Launch Team and Global Brand Teams

Represent Medical Affairs in label discussions

Support Access, Patient Advocacy, Policy, and Corporate Communications teams with medical/scientific expertise and materials review

Evidence Generation and Access

Lead strategy, development, and execution of lifecycle management in partnership with HEOR, including Integrated Evidence Generation Plan

May act as medical monitor for studies falling under Medical Affairs scope

Lead oversight and management of ISS programs and scientific/medical review of protocols

As applicable, lead Managed Access Committee and/or act as Medical Monitor for Managed Access Programs

Team / People Management

Provide strong leadership to disease area medical team

Accountable for recruitment, development, management, and coaching of the global medical team

Leverage team capabilities to ensure execution of medical plans

Identify and address skill gaps and future capability needs

Ensure goal‑setting, performance cycles, and individual development plans

Navigate ambiguity and coach teams through change

Compliance and Pharmacovigilance

Ensure compliance with global and regional guidelines, Vertex Code of Conduct, SOPs, GCP, and ICH

Ensure appropriate adverse event identification and reporting

Contribute to external communication when significant safety issues arise

Education and Experience:

MD, PhD, PharmD, or other advanced life sciences degree required

Typically requires 15 years of experience and 7 years of supervisory/management experience

6+ years of leadership experience in Medical Affairs and/or Clinical Development

2+ years of industry experience in disease area

Pay Range:

$328,000 - $492,000

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.

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