Associate Director, West Coast Labs
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
June 29, 2026
Remote friendly (San Diego, CA)
United States
Operations
Key Duties And Responsibilities
Vision and Strategy
- Partner with San Diego and Seattle site leadership to align technology delivery with site strategy.
- Lead DTE engagement/representation at the San Diego and Seattle sites.
- Collaborate with scientists and lab technicians to ensure IT systems meet needs.
Operational Execution
- Oversee technical evaluations and approve hardware/software for laboratory needs.
- Ensure regulatory and data security compliance via audit-ready IT systems and reporting.
- Install, configure, and manage laboratory software/hardware (instrument control systems, lab computers, network devices).
- Collaborate with global DTE IT teams to deliver a robust local environment and advise globally.
- Provide rapid troubleshooting for technical issues.
- Enable process automation to reduce manual lab workflows.
- Monitor emerging lab technologies (AI analytics, IoT equipment, cloud collaboration) to drive innovation.
- Manage vendor relationships and IT support to keep systems secure, scalable, and up to date.
- Manage lab computing services using IT Service Management/ITIL.
Leadership
- Execute strategic plans and oversee project delivery (on time, within budget, required quality).
- Matrix-lead globally aligned, locally enabled laboratory experience.
- Lead and mentor a team; foster collaboration and high performance.
- Use KPIs to monitor and report performance for continuous improvement.
Knowledge And Skills / Qualifications
- Technology strategy development/implementation experience in complex scientific research.
- Strong leadership and relationship management; proven success with diverse teams.
- Strategic problem-solving focused on innovation and operational excellence.
- Excellent communication to technical/non-technical audiences.
- Strong compliance mindset with life sciences/pharma regulatory understanding.
- Bachelor’s in IT/CS/engineering or related (Master’s preferred).
- 8 years relevant life sciences business systems experience (or equivalent).
- Endpoint management experience using ITIL/ITSM tools (e.g., ServiceNow).
- Laboratory technology experience (clinical/research labs); instrumentation/control/automation.
- Qualification/validation and regulatory/quality standards knowledge.
- Proficiency in digital tools/trends; cross-functional collaboration.
- Experience with high-throughput labs/advanced diagnostics; pharma/life sciences.
- Travel up to 10%.
- Highly desirable: enable AI/ML via data engineering strategies.
Application/Role Details
- Hybrid-Eligible or On-Site Eligible (per Flex designation): Remote up to 2 days/week (Hybrid) or 5 days/week on-site with ad hoc flexibility (On-Site).
Compensation
- Pay range: $172,000–$258,000. Eligible for annual bonus and annual equity awards.
Vision and Strategy
- Partner with San Diego and Seattle site leadership to align technology delivery with site strategy.
- Lead DTE engagement/representation at the San Diego and Seattle sites.
- Collaborate with scientists and lab technicians to ensure IT systems meet needs.
Operational Execution
- Oversee technical evaluations and approve hardware/software for laboratory needs.
- Ensure regulatory and data security compliance via audit-ready IT systems and reporting.
- Install, configure, and manage laboratory software/hardware (instrument control systems, lab computers, network devices).
- Collaborate with global DTE IT teams to deliver a robust local environment and advise globally.
- Provide rapid troubleshooting for technical issues.
- Enable process automation to reduce manual lab workflows.
- Monitor emerging lab technologies (AI analytics, IoT equipment, cloud collaboration) to drive innovation.
- Manage vendor relationships and IT support to keep systems secure, scalable, and up to date.
- Manage lab computing services using IT Service Management/ITIL.
Leadership
- Execute strategic plans and oversee project delivery (on time, within budget, required quality).
- Matrix-lead globally aligned, locally enabled laboratory experience.
- Lead and mentor a team; foster collaboration and high performance.
- Use KPIs to monitor and report performance for continuous improvement.
Knowledge And Skills / Qualifications
- Technology strategy development/implementation experience in complex scientific research.
- Strong leadership and relationship management; proven success with diverse teams.
- Strategic problem-solving focused on innovation and operational excellence.
- Excellent communication to technical/non-technical audiences.
- Strong compliance mindset with life sciences/pharma regulatory understanding.
- Bachelor’s in IT/CS/engineering or related (Master’s preferred).
- 8 years relevant life sciences business systems experience (or equivalent).
- Endpoint management experience using ITIL/ITSM tools (e.g., ServiceNow).
- Laboratory technology experience (clinical/research labs); instrumentation/control/automation.
- Qualification/validation and regulatory/quality standards knowledge.
- Proficiency in digital tools/trends; cross-functional collaboration.
- Experience with high-throughput labs/advanced diagnostics; pharma/life sciences.
- Travel up to 10%.
- Highly desirable: enable AI/ML via data engineering strategies.
Application/Role Details
- Hybrid-Eligible or On-Site Eligible (per Flex designation): Remote up to 2 days/week (Hybrid) or 5 days/week on-site with ad hoc flexibility (On-Site).
Compensation
- Pay range: $172,000–$258,000. Eligible for annual bonus and annual equity awards.