Vertex Fall Co-op 2026, Strategic Operations, Innovation & Change Management

Role Summary

Vertex Fall Co-op 2026 in Strategic Operations, Innovation & Change Management is a 6-month experiential program for students pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in business, communications, information science, data/analytics, life sciences, or related fields. As a co-op at Vertex, you will work on meaningful projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and learn from industry leaders to grow your skills and advance your career. The role emphasizes innovation, collaboration, and turning new tools and ways of working into everyday practice. Location: onsite in San Diego, CA.

Responsibilities

• Support innovation and change management for Global Research and the San Diego site by clarifying major changes, demystifying changes (including new AI tools), and improving how information and updates are shared so innovation is easier to adopt.
• Communicate and support change management for key projects by turning complex changes into clear, simple messages (what’s changing, why it matters, what people need to do) and updating internal content and evergreen onboarding, training, and manager-cascade materials.
• Help colleagues use AI and surface useful insights by drafting Tips & Tricks, infographics, or other materials aligned with existing guidance; create a simple overview of key AI tools; and use approved AI tools to turn relevant literature into short, easy-to-digest updates.
• Improve how information is shared at the site by refreshing and organizing content on the internal website and in biweekly site updates so employees can quickly find reliable, up-to-date information about what’s happening and how work is evolving.

Qualifications

• Preferred: Currently enrolled in a master’s degree program (preferred) or a bachelor’s degree program in business, communications, information science, data/analytics, life sciences, or related field.
• Required: In good academic standing and eligible for a full-time co-op during the placement period.
• Required: Strong written and verbal communication skills; able to turn complex topics into clear messages for nonexperts.
• Preferred: Interest in how AI and new tools can support knowledge work; prior AI experience is helpful but not required.
• Required: Ability to organize information from multiple sources into concise summaries or frameworks.
• Required: Solid attention to detail and basic project management skills.
• Required: Curious, creative, proactive, and comfortable asking questions to understand context and stakeholder needs.
• Required: Enjoys collaborating with people in different roles and levels across a team or organization.
• Required: Capacity to work full-time onsite in San Diego, CA.
• Required: Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future; Vertex does not sponsor internships or entry-level roles within this part of the organization.
• Required: You must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before December 2026.
• Required: Available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from July – December 2026.

Skills

• Strong written and verbal communication.
• Ability to simplify complex topics for nonexperts.
• Ability to organize information from multiple sources into concise summaries.
• Basic project management and organizational skills.
• Collaborative, cross-functional teamwork.
• Curiosity, creativity, and proactive problem-solving.
• Familiarity with AI tools and applying them to knowledge work.

Education

• Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in business, communications, information science, data/analytics, life sciences, or related field.

Additional Requirements

• On-site work in San Diego, CA; ability to work full-time on-site.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States; no sponsorship for internships in this organization.
• Availability to work July–December 2026.