Job Description General Summary:
The Executive Medical Director, Global Medical Lead (GML), Pain 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 DA 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 regions 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
- Provide strategic Medical Affairs leadership on relevant commercial teams: Launch Team, and Global brand teams for product
- 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
- Leads strategy, development and execution of Life Cycle Management in partnership with HEOR, including Integrated Evidence Generation plan in close collaboration with key internal stakeholders
- May act as medical monitor for studies falling under the Medical Affairs scope in collaboration with Clinical Development, Real World Evidence, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, and Clinical Operations
- Lead oversight and management of ISS programs, and in collaboration with Regional Medical leadership, conduct critical scientific and medical review of ISS protocols
- As applicable, lead Managed Access Committee for assets with a Managed Access Program (MAP); may act as a Medical Monitor for MAP Team/People Management
People Management
- Provide strong leadership to dedicated disease area medical team, inspiring and empowering a dedicated medical team, and promoting a culture of continuous development
- Accountable for the recruitment, development, management and coaching the global medical team
- Leverages the capabilities and expertise of the team to ensure successful execution of medical plans
- Identifies and addresses team skill gaps, considering how to accelerate internal talent or attract external to meet needs of a future‑ready organization
- Adheres to formal goal‑setting, talent and performance cycles ensuring individual development plans (IDPs) are in place
- Navigates ambiguous or rapidly evolving situations, and coach the team during periods of uncertainty or change
Compliance and Pharmacovigilance
- Ensure compliance of medical activities according to global and regional guidelines and in accordance with Vertex Code of Conduct, rules and regulations, company policies, SOPs, GCP and ICH
- Ensure self and other medical colleagues have the required skills to identify and report AEs appropriately
- Contribute to managing external communication when significant safety issues arise, with the wellbeing of patients being the ultimate goal
Education and Experience
- MD, PhD, PharmD or other advanced life sciences degree require
- Typically requires 15 years of experience and 7 years of supervisory/management experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience
- 6 or more years of relevant leadership experience in medical affairs and/or clinical development, including experience in both Global and Country/Region desired
- 2 or more 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.
Benefits
- 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:
- Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
- 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.
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
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 and conditions.The company has approved therapies for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell disease, transfusion‑dependent beta thalassemia, acute pain and acromegaly, and it continues to advance clinical and research programs in these areas.
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 IgA nephropathy, neuropathic pain, APOL1‑mediated kidney disease, primary membranous nephropathy, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, ACTH‑dependent Cushing’s syndrome, autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, generalized myasthenia gravis, and myotonic dystrophy type 1.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 16 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 LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X We believe our culture is one of Vertex’s greatest strengths and a key enabler of our ability to deliver transformative medicines for patients who need them.Rooted in innovation, purpose and collaboration, our culture empowers people to take smart risks, challenge conventional thinking and do their best work.The diversity of our people is central to that culture.
By bringing together individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives, we foster an environment where new ideas thrive, better decisions are made and breakthrough innovation is possible.We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, included and connected to our shared mission, because we know that our unique culture and the collective strength of our people are what set Vertex apart.
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