Executive Medical Director, Translational Medicine

Job Description

The Executive Medical Director, Translational Medicine, Early Development will be a strategically minded, hands-on early clinical development expert with the responsibility for overseeing the transition of projects from research into clinical development, and for developing strategy for early clinical development of novel therapies including application of biomarkers in Phase 1b/2a studies. Success depends on the integrity, knowledge, imagination, creativity, skill, diversity and teamwork focus of the candidate. To this end, we strive to create an environment of mutual respect, encouragement and teamwork. The individual will collaborate with talented and dedicated colleagues across R&D, Clinical & Quantitative Pharmacology, and other key stakeholder functions. This position will be a critical element in Vertex’s approach to creating an effective bridge between discovery research and clinical development.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Leading a group of physician-scientists involved in clinical research
• Work closely with other functional experts across the organization
• Provide medical leadership and translational medicine expertise on cross-functional Project Teams
• Co-chair of Protocol Review Committee (ePPRC) and Dose Escalation Meetings (DEM) meetings for Phase 1 SAD/MAD studies
• Develop early clinical development plans that are innovative, safe, efficient and create a foundation for decision making
• Provide clinical and translational leadership to drive the design and interpretation of Phase 1-2a studies, in close collaboration with experts in Clinical Biomarkers, Clinical Pharmacology, Modeling & Simulation, and Clinical Operations
• Work with teams to ensure effective execution of Phase 1-2a studies
• Collaborate with Global Patient Safety to perform safety evaluations in early development programs
• Support exploratory biomarker efforts in collaboration with Clinical Biomarkers and Research groups to aid in clinical and project decision making
• Engage with external academic and industry partners in planning and executing strategy and clinical studies
• Engage with external scientific and medical experts to bring insight to development programs
• Work with colleagues across the research and clinical organizations to foster an end-to-end view of drug development, with a focus on improving patient care
• Serve as a people manager and mentor within the organization to young new-to-industry physicians
• Have financial accountabilities and human resource responsibilities for assigned staff

Knowledge and Skills:

• Global clinical research experience, and experience interacting with regulatory authorities is highly desired
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrix environment
• Ability to work independently to resolve challenges
• Enterprise-wide thinking and ability to work in ambiguity
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Board certification/eligibility in a specialty is highly desired

Education and Experience:

• MD, DO or equivalent ex-US medical degree required + PhD (highly desired)
• 15+ years of translational medicine/translational research experience, including time managing clinical trials and clinical development programs
• Strong record of basic and/or translational research productivity
• Experience with design, execution, and analysis of Phase 1-2a, first-in-human and POM/POC clinical studies
• Experience across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities
• Effective at building alliances across functions
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, able to drive collaborations across a matrixed organization
• People-management experience required

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Pay Range:

$312,000 - $468,000

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 as