Associate Director, Business Engagement and Technology, Medical & External Affairs

Job Description

General/Position Summary

Vertex is seeking an experienced technology leader to lead the strategy, planning, and delivery to support the Medical Affairs business function across all disease areas and regions. The AD, Business Engagement & Technology will primarily partner with the ‘Medical Information and Innovation’ team as well as external affairs teams within Chief Patient Office organization to create and execute technology strategy in concert with business strategy. This role will work directly with the business partners to understand the business needs and vision and will be accountable for defining technology roadmaps, identifying solutions, and finding synergies across other commercial, medical, and external affairs technologies.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Partner with key business stakeholders to understand business strategy and prioritize to set vision and goals for technology roadmap aligned to Medical Information and Innovation team as well as External Affairs teams.
• Build and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders; become a trusted partner and have an ongoing, significant impact towards meeting strategic business goals with technology.
• Engage as a key participant in the strategic business planning process for these organizations. Provide insights on how technology can improve business processes to enable operating efficiencies and support business goals. 
• Develop and maintain a technology strategy for these organizations to support and advance their objectives, factoring in the future direction of the business area and changes in the technology landscape.   
• Define and lead portfolio of projects, programs, releases, and system enhancements, ensuring quality and timeliness of delivery (where applicable) while remaining within allocated budget limits.
• Establish the right level of governance for resource mgmt., budget mgmt., and creating of execution plan.
• Proactively identify gaps and forward-looking opportunities in current technologies and potential business process improvements in pursuit of driving efficiencies and meet strategic business goals.
• Work closely with DTE Compliance, Internal Audit and Quality Assurance groups as needed to ensure compliance with GxP, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), and other key regulations, as well as our DTE system lifecycle and change management requirements.
• Manage relationships with strategic software vendors and service providers.

Required Education Level

Bachelor's degree required (preferably in technology discipline); Advanced degree preferred.

Required Experience

• 8-10 years’ experience working in delivering technology programs with at least 6-8 years of life sciences industry experience.
• Experience in Medical Affairs disciplines such as field engagement (CRM, reporting & analytics, digital marketing, etc.), and medical information case management.  
• Experience in leading the implementation of complex programs in a matrixed environment such as global implementation of CRM for medical affairs. 
• Experience in translating broad business strategies and functional priorities into effective operational goals and objectives; able to actively participate in strategic planning for the function.
• Results oriented leader with a proven track record of on-time project delivery for large, cross-functional, and complex projects with global stakeholders.
• Experience in leading technology governance – accountability, team guidance, progress tracking, and ROI.
• Substantial program/ project management, demand management, resource management and system life cycle expertise.
• Experienced in building productive partnerships with business stakeholders and aligning them around a recommendation/solution.  

Required Knowledge/Skills

• Risk Management: Proactively identify risk and create a mitigation plan.
• Resource Management: Assignment of team members to specific tasks, allocation management.  
• Budget management: Plan and manage financial resources for DTE program expenses.
• Technology Innovation: Demonstrated knowledge of best practices in pharma medical affairs, product launch preparation, field enablement, HCP engagement, with proven ability to stay informed on industry trends across various technologies.
• Technology Strategy: Create multi-year plans that guide technology investment to achieve longer term business goals.
• Advanced problem-solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills and ability to pres