Senior Medical Director - US Medical Affairs - Nephrology
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
June 27, 2026
Remote friendly (Boston, MA)
United States
Medical Affairs
General/Position Summary
The Senior Medical Director (MD) serves as a US Medical Affairs asset lead responsible for strategic planning and execution of launch and lifecycle assets within the Vertex nephrology portfolio.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead development, execution, and refinement of the US Medical Affairs strategic/operational plan for assigned nephrology asset(s), from pre-launch through lifecycle.
- Serve as primary internal medical-scientific authority; interpret clinical trials, real-world evidence, and published literature; translate into actionable medical strategy.
- Build and maintain peer-level relationships with US nephrology thought leaders, academic investigators, and external experts.
- Partner cross-functionally with Commercial, Market Access, HEOR, Regulatory, Clinical Development, and Corporate Communications for aligned launch readiness in a matrix environment.
- Design and execute medical evidence generation initiatives (e.g., investigator-sponsored research, advisory boards, medical education).
- Deliver and oversee compliant, balanced scientific presentations/communications to HCPs, payers, and other stakeholders.
- Provide strategic medical input into promotional/non-promotional material review (CRC) to substantiate claims and ensure compliance.
- Establish and track medical KPIs; use scenario planning/market foresight to adapt strategies.
- Ensure activities comply with Vertex policies, US laws/regulations, GCP, ICH, and applicable codes of practice.
Required Education
- MD or DO with US board certification in Nephrology.
Required Experience
- 10+ years clinical and/or pharmaceutical/biotech Medical Affairs experience.
- 3+ years supervisory/people management experience.
Required Knowledge/Skills
- US medical launch strategy execution.
- High EQ and ability to build trusted internal/external relationships.
- Proven execution in a matrixed, cross-functional environment.
- Deep nephrology expertise (treatment landscape, clinical trial design, evidence generation).
- Strong written/oral communication; influence senior leadership and stakeholders.
- Ability to analyze complex scientific data and translate into medical strategy.
- Track record completing high-impact projects on timelines.
- Proactive, organized; manage shifting priorities.
Other Requirements (Preferred/Plus)
- Active US medical license preferred.
- Prior nephrology/immunology/rare disease launch experience strongly preferred.
- Experience managing/developing Medical Directors/Associate Medical Directors is a plus.
Pay Range
- $252,000 - $378,000
The Senior Medical Director (MD) serves as a US Medical Affairs asset lead responsible for strategic planning and execution of launch and lifecycle assets within the Vertex nephrology portfolio.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
- Lead development, execution, and refinement of the US Medical Affairs strategic/operational plan for assigned nephrology asset(s), from pre-launch through lifecycle.
- Serve as primary internal medical-scientific authority; interpret clinical trials, real-world evidence, and published literature; translate into actionable medical strategy.
- Build and maintain peer-level relationships with US nephrology thought leaders, academic investigators, and external experts.
- Partner cross-functionally with Commercial, Market Access, HEOR, Regulatory, Clinical Development, and Corporate Communications for aligned launch readiness in a matrix environment.
- Design and execute medical evidence generation initiatives (e.g., investigator-sponsored research, advisory boards, medical education).
- Deliver and oversee compliant, balanced scientific presentations/communications to HCPs, payers, and other stakeholders.
- Provide strategic medical input into promotional/non-promotional material review (CRC) to substantiate claims and ensure compliance.
- Establish and track medical KPIs; use scenario planning/market foresight to adapt strategies.
- Ensure activities comply with Vertex policies, US laws/regulations, GCP, ICH, and applicable codes of practice.
Required Education
- MD or DO with US board certification in Nephrology.
Required Experience
- 10+ years clinical and/or pharmaceutical/biotech Medical Affairs experience.
- 3+ years supervisory/people management experience.
Required Knowledge/Skills
- US medical launch strategy execution.
- High EQ and ability to build trusted internal/external relationships.
- Proven execution in a matrixed, cross-functional environment.
- Deep nephrology expertise (treatment landscape, clinical trial design, evidence generation).
- Strong written/oral communication; influence senior leadership and stakeholders.
- Ability to analyze complex scientific data and translate into medical strategy.
- Track record completing high-impact projects on timelines.
- Proactive, organized; manage shifting priorities.
Other Requirements (Preferred/Plus)
- Active US medical license preferred.
- Prior nephrology/immunology/rare disease launch experience strongly preferred.
- Experience managing/developing Medical Directors/Associate Medical Directors is a plus.
Pay Range
- $252,000 - $378,000