Job Description
General Summary:
Vertex is seeking an accomplished scientific communications leader to serve as Publications Science Director, Medical Affairs (Endocrinology). Following the Crinetics acquisition, this role will lead the global publications strategy, planning, development, and execution for Vertex’s rare endocrinology portfolio, including the commercialized acromegaly franchise and the pipeline program in congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), with the flexibility to support future endocrinology indications as the portfolio evolves.
Working closely with the Global Medical Lead (GML), the Science Director will translate scientific and medical priorities into an integrated publication strategy that communicates clinically meaningful evidence to healthcare professionals and the broader endocrine and rare disease communities. The role will connect evidence gaps, clinical and real-world data, scientific literature, treatment guidelines, medical insights, and the external landscape to ensure publications are scientifically rigorous, medically accurate, balanced, timely, and aligned with the global medical plan.
This role may also support the development of medical content and scientific materials, including slide decks, FAQs, congress materials, and other external-facing resources. The Science Director will partner closely with Global and Regional Medical, Research, Development, Biostatistics, Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR), Real-World Evidence (RWE), Regulatory, Legal, Compliance, and Commercial colleagues. The role reports to the disease area GML and serves as a core member of the Endocrinology Global Medical team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and execute the integrated global publication strategy and plans for the rare endocrinology portfolio, including acromegaly and CAH, as part of the annual global medical planning process and in partnership with the GML, regional medical teams, and other internal stakeholders.
- Lead end-to-end publication planning and execution across abstracts, posters, oral presentations, manuscripts, reviews, and other scientific communications, ensuring quality, consistency, timeliness, and compliance with applicable standards and policies.
- Translate evidence gaps, clinical and real-world data, scientific literature, treatment guidelines, medical insights, and the competitive landscape into clear publication priorities and an integrated scientific narrative.
- Partner with Global Medical, Development, Biostatistics, HEOR, RWE, and regional teams to align evidence-generation and publication plans, incorporate regional perspectives, and maximize the scientific value and impact of available data.
- Provide scientific interpretation of clinical trial data, registries, real-world evidence, published literature, and other relevant data to guide scientifically rigorous, medically accurate, and balanced publications and scientific communications.
- Lead cross-functional publication teams and governance processes, including author and agency management, publication timelines, review and approval workflows, congress planning, budget oversight, and risk identification and mitigation.
- Engage external experts, investigators, treatment centers, professional societies, and other scientific stakeholders to inform publication strategy and support the development and execution of high-quality scientific publications.
- Monitor emerging science, treatment paradigms, medical insights, society guidelines, and the external landscape, and incorporate relevant developments into the publications strategy.
- Represent Vertex at scientific and medical forums, including congresses, scientific societies, and medical education forums, as appropriate.
- Partner on the development of aligned medical content and scientific materials, including slide decks, FAQs, congress materials, and other external-facing resources, as needed.
- Champion scientific integrity, transparency, ethics, compliance, patient focus, and Vertex values across all publication activities.
Knowledge and Skills:
- Demonstrated leadership and expertise in scientific communications, publication planning and execution, and medical content development.
- Strong scientific acumen with the ability to interpret complex data, identify evidence gaps, and translate scientific priorities into a clear, integrated publication strategy.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex scientific and medical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
- Strong strategic thinking and judgment, with the ability to integrate emerging evidence, external trends, treatment guidelines, medical insights, and the competitive landscape into publication decisions.
- Proven ability to influence without direct authority, build credibility, and drive alignment across senior stakeholders and cross-functional partners in a complex matrixed environment.
- Strong business and operational acumen, including the ability to manage publication plans, agencies, budgets, timelines, governance, and competing priorities across a portfolio.
- Ability to identify and define complex problems, develop practical solutions through in-depth analysis and interpretive thinking, negotiate effectively, and lead through ambiguity and change.
- Demonstrated ability to build strong working relationships with influential stakeholders inside and outside Vertex while maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity, ethics, compliance, and patient focus.
Education and Experience:
- Advanced scientific or medical degree, such as an MS, PharmD, PhD, MD, or equivalent relevant experience.
- Typically requires 10 years of relevant experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience, including 3 or more years in Medical Affairs, clinical development, publications, or scientific communications.
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing global publication strategies and plans within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic medicine, or related environment.
- Experience leading cross-functional publication teams and managing external authors, investigators, and agency partners in a highly matrixed, global organization
- .Demonstrated experience interpreting and communicating clinical trial data, real-world evidence, published literature, and other scientific evidence.
- Rare disease, specialty medicine, or endocrinology experience is strongly preferred; experience in acromegaly, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), or related endocrine conditions is a plus.
- Experience working across both global and country or regional Medical Affairs organizations is desired.
- Working knowledge of publication standards, authorship principles, and relevant regulatory, legal, compliance, and data privacy requirements governing scientific exchange and publication activities.
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:
$193,800 - $290,800
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:
Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible
Flex Eligibility Status:
In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2. 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-Hybrid
