Senior Director, CMC and Manufacturing Data & Technology

Role Summary

Senior Director, CMC and Manufacturing Data & Technology will define, lead and execute the vision for how Vertex will revolutionize our global pharmaceutical science and manufacturing activities through AI, data science and technology solutions. You will champion the adoption of AI-driven approaches to optimize manufacturing operations, drive predictive analytics, enable intelligent automation across pharmaceutical development, clinical and commercial manufacture based upon a foundation of robust transactional systems to plan, track and action in internal and external manufacturing facilities. Working with multiple Vertex business units, the Senior Director is accountable for the end-to-end manufacturing experience worldwide, across a broad range of internal and external pharmaceutical development and manufacturing teams powering both clinical and commercial supply. The role is a critical part of the Data Technology & Engineering leadership community. The Senior Director will bring their multi-disciplinary expertise to orchestrate innovation with leaders across science, manufacturing, data science and technology, including core disciplines in infrastructure, data and software engineering, data science, architecture, portfolio and security, to ensure coordination as all R&D and Manufacturing environments transform through smart, scalable solutions. Reporting directly to the VP RPMS, the dynamic and experienced Senior Director, CMC and Manufacturing Data & Technology will play a key role on the RPMS Leadership Team to drive our digital transformation initiatives across Research, Pre-clinical, Manufacturing and Supply Chain.

Responsibilities

• Develops, articulates, and executes a clear vision for delivering AI-powered technology solutions for CMC and manufacturing worldwide, internally and externally, across multiple business units, in alignment with Vertex‚Äôs strategic goals.
• Influences a broad internal and external landscape to cultivate a roadmap of opportunities to transform pharmaceutical development and manufacturing activities through cutting-edge AI technologies including generative and agentic AI, machine learning and data driven automation.
• Leads with agility to think strategically about scientific, engineering, business, product, and technical challenges simultaneously.
• Collaborates as a trusted partner to the research and manufacturing leadership to ensure technology strategies robustly accelerate portfolio and commercial goals and as key enablers of operational excellence.

Operational Execution

• Specializes in driving transformative strategies that foster innovation, elevate organizational performance and drive growth.
• Leads in the identification of opportunities for innovation in delivery, evaluation of state-of-the-art AI (including generative AI and agentic AI), data product, data science, external and internal integrations, software, hardware and protocols, applicability and risks.
• Combines creativity, practicality and integrity to ensure technology solutions that are strategic, flexible, scalable, reusable and are achieved through the application of Vertex‚Äôs architectural principles, standards and governance.
• Leads with rigor and discipline maximizing fiscal, resource and operational effectiveness.
• Manages an effective and efficient technology operation that enhances manufacturing at Vertex, ensuring stakeholders can depend on technology as a robust enabler of drug research and production whilst maximizing ROI.
• Partners effectively with suppliers ensuring effective delivery aligned to Vertex‚Äôs high expectations in compliance, quality and security.

Leadership

• Leads and develops a high-performing, diverse team of professionals, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability.
• Creates a culture of inclusion, diversity, and equity where everyone can do their best work and feels valued.
• Aligns the CMC and manufacturing technology team with enterprise priorities, ensuring data strategies drive business outcomes and regulatory compliance.
• Represent the CMC and manufacturing technology organization in internal and external forums, advocating for its ability to achieve strategic goals and for innovation leadership.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor‚Äôs degree in science, engineering, computer science or a related field or relevant experience
• 10+ years of experience in life sciences technology or related fields.
• Relevant experience in creating and applying technologies to solve computationally intensive and data intensive problems in manufacturing, inclusive of 5+ years in a leadership role.

Knowledge And Skills

• Extensive knowledge of large-scale scientific and manufacturing environments to effectively understand user needs.
• Extensive technical knowledge and experience across broad range of complex scientific and manufacturing technology.
• Extensive experience in applying AI and machine learning to solve complex, data intensive problems in global manufacturing environments.
• Extensive experience in core foundational manufacturing operations technology including electronic batch records, process control, execution systems, quality and exception systems.
• Strength and depth in leading and overseeing operations technical support for a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with varied compute environments including distributed, cloud and high performance computing.
• Experience of successfully developing and implementing technology strategy; preferably within a complex pharmaceutical manufacturing organization.
• Expertise in successful development and delivery of multiple complex scientific and manufacturing technology development initiatives.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills, with demonstrated success in managing diverse teams and fostering high engagement.
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to produce strategic documents, present ideas and solutions to technical and non-technical audiences and all levels of the organization.
• A strong commitment to compliance and integrity in systems, processes, and actions, with a deep understanding of the biotech regulatory environment.
• Exceptional problem-solving and strategic thinking abilities, with a focus on driving innovation and operational excellence.

Other Requirements

• Experience with enabling advanced technologies, such as AI and machine learning, through data engineering strategies is highly desirable.
• Advanced certifications in product, agile, software engineering, cloud technologies, or leadership.