Associate Director, QA Manufacturing Technical Services

The Associate Director, Quality Assurance Manufacturing Technical Services (Internal) is responsible for supporting the day-to-day Quality Operations for internal manufacturing of Cell & Gene Programs through the management of quality management system (QMS) events. The role provides Quality oversight for technical and operational manufacturing activities from facility start-up through product commercialization, post-approval process monitoring, and deviation management. The role is also responsible for building strong partnerships with internal cross-functional teams to drive compliance, monitor performance, support continuous improvement, and provide quality presence and real-time support on the manufacturing floor. 

The role will closely partner with Manufacturing, Quality Control, MSAT, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, and other operational stakeholders, and participate in associated governance for the successful planning and execution of the QMS. The successful candidate will be a key member of the Vertex Cell & Genetic Therapy Quality Team and a visible quality partner supporting internal manufacturing operations.  

Key Duties & Responsibilities 

• Lead, execute, and oversee the deviation management process across all stages of manufacturing, from identification to closure. Ensure proper investigation, documentation, and resolution of all deviations in accordance with internal policies and regulatory requirements. 

• Provide quality and technical expertise in the investigation of deviations including OOS/OOTs, conduct thorough root cause analysis to identify underlying issues, and oversee efficient and effective implementation of corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to prevent recurrence. 

• Partner closely with Manufacturing, Quality Control, MSAT, Engineering, Supply Chain, Regulatory Affairs, and other Quality functions to ensure timely and effective resolution of deviations and alignment with patient safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance.   

• May require flexibility to work in shifts to support manufacturing and operations, and/or to engage with appropriate stakeholders.  

• Ensure that all deviation investigations comply with relevant regulatory standards (such as FDA, EMA, cGMP) and company policies. Maintain awareness of and ensure compliance with industry best practices and regulatory guidelines. 

• Establish and maintain deviation tracking systems, ensuring that all deviations are properly documented, categorized, and monitored for timely resolution. Prepare and present regular reports on deviation metrics to senior leadership. 

• Lead and execute continuous improvement activities and drive quality remediation. 

• Identify potential risks and trends related to deviations and work proactively to mitigate such risks with preventive measures. 

• Support risk assessments to evaluate the impact of deviations on product quality, safety, and regulatory compliance. 

• Ensure that all deviation records are maintained in a compliant and audit-ready mann