Director, Commercial Legal Senior Counsel

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

• $175K — $210K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA-accredited law school
  • Active state bar membership in good standing
  • 7+ years of post-JD experience in healthcare law
  • Expertise in healthcare regulatory compliance and advertising
  • Strong communication and analytical skills

Responsibilities

  • Serve as a trusted legal advisor to commercialization teams
  • Provide business-focused legal advice on healthcare laws
  • Advise on interpretation of healthcare regulations
  • Identify legal risks and recommend proactive solutions
  • Translate complex legal concepts for diverse audiences
  • Build relationships with internal stakeholders
  • Contribute to department-wide initiatives

Benefits

  • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits
  • Generous paid time off, including company shutdowns
  • Educational assistance programs, including student loan repayment
  • Commuting subsidy and matching charitable donations
  • 401(k) plan with company contributions
  • Flexible work arrangements (remote, hybrid, or on-site)
Full Job Description

Job Description


General Summary:

The Director, Commercial Legal Senior Counsel – Genetic Kidney will provide strategic, practical legal counsel that helps shape commercialization priorities for Vertex’s U.S. and global Genetic Kidney teams. Reporting to the Senior Director, Assistant General Counsel, this role will serve as a trusted advisor that partners closely with key commercialization stakeholders, including Sales & Marketing, Medical Affairs, Field Training, Regulatory Advertising and Promotion, Public Affairs, Patient Advocacy, and Corporate Communications and serve on various review committees.

The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in healthcare law, with a proven track record of advising on legal issues related to healthcare fraud and abuse law, advertising and promotion, scientific exchange, patient support, and interactions with healthcare professionals. This role requires a strategic thinker with exceptional communication skills and the ability to navigate complex regulatory frameworks while advancing business objectives.


This is an opportunity to advise on evolving commercialization priorities across the product lifecycle, identify emerging risks and opportunities, and help shape practical legal strategies in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.


Strategic Legal Counsel

  • Serve as a trusted legal advisor to the U.S and global Genetic Kidney commercialization teams, providing strategic counsel on commercialization initiatives and business priorities.
  • Provide practical, business-focused legal advice on advertising and promotion, scientific exchange, healthcare fraud and abuse, patient support, and other matters related to the commercialization of prescription drugs.
  • Advise stakeholders on the interpretation and application of healthcare laws, regulations, agency guidance, and enforcement trends.
  • Identify emerging legal risks and opportunities and recommend proactive, workable solutions that support compliant business execution.
  • Translate complex legal and regulatory considerations into clear guidance for a range of business audiences.


Cross-Functional Partnership and Governance

  • Partner with U.S. Sales and Marketing, Global Commercial Strategy, Medical Affairs, Field Training, Regulatory Advertising and Promotion, Public Affairs, Patient Advocacy and Corporate Commutations.
  • Participate actively in communication, medical and label review committees
  • ensuring compliance and alignment with business goals.
  • Build productive working relationships with internal stakeholders to align legal strategies with business priorities.
  • Contribute to department-wide initiatives, including culture-building and pro bono programs.

Risk Management and Compliance

  • Provide counsel on healthcare laws, including the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and associated regulations, anti-kickback statutes, the False Claims Act and Lanham Act.
  • Support compliant interactions with patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and other healthcare stakeholders.
  • Apply sound judgement to identify, assess and mitigate legal and reputation risks.
  • Help safeguard Vertex’s integrity while enabling the business to meet commercialization objectives.

Knowledge and Skills:

  • Experience supporting pre- and post-launch biopharmaceutical products.
  • Demonstrated experience advising on healthcare regulatory and compliance matters, including advertising and promotion, healthcare fraud and abuse, patient support, scientific exchange, and interactions with healthcare stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, anti-kickback statutes, the False Claims Act, the Lanham Act and related regulations and guidance.
  • Experience advising communication review committees and providing guidance on FDA’s CFL, payor and SIUU guidance.
  • Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex legal concepts to diverse audiences and influence key stakeholders.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply sound judgement and develop practical legal solutions.

Education and Experience:

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school
  • Active membership in good standing with a state bar.
  • At least 7+ years of post-JD experience in healthcare law within the biopharma company, law firm, or combination of both.

Personal Attributes

The ideal candidate will:

  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships.
  • Apply sound business judgment and ethical decision-making, with a proactive and solutions-oriented approach.
  • Work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while managing multiple priorities.
  • Collaborate effectively with colleagues and value diversity and inclusion as important drivers of team success.


At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.

Pay Range:

$0 - $0

Disclosure Statement:

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations.  From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Flex Designation:

Remote-Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this Remote-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as: 
1.    Remote: work remotely five days per week and come into the office on occasion – you’re always welcome on-site; or select 
2.    Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
3.    On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time. 

#LI-Remote

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