Seattle Research Site Head (Immunology)

Job Description

General Summary:

Vertex is seeking an experienced, innovative, passionate and inspirational senior scientific leader to join our research organization as the Seattle Research Site Head (Immunology).The successful candidate will be a well-recognized leader in immunology research and will have the ability to drive execution of high impact, high visibility projects thereby transforming our ability to reach more patients with a growing pipeline of lifechanging medicines.

This is an essential hire for the company. Reporting to the SVP, Boston Research, this individual will be a critical leader in advancing the company’s research pipeline across biologic, immunology and autoimmune therapies. The successful candidate will oversee a growing scientific department and provide scientific, managerial and leadership expertise to discovery, translational, and early clinical programs across the Seattle organization. As a lead immunologist within Vertex, the individual will also have a critical role to play in shaping, implementing, and executing Vertex’s broader strategy in immunology and will partner closely with the senior leaders to advance Vertex’s portfolio in this area.

As Site Head for Seattle, the individual will oversee all aspects of running the research site, including expanding the laboratory space for Seattle Research  As a core member of the immunology leadership team the individual will also contribute to the overall strategic direction of research at the company and will play a key role in research governance, portfolio prioritization, people development, as well as serving as a “scientific voice,” internally and externally, on behalf of the company.

Research

• Provide scientific and translational immunology research expertise to company’s growing pipeline in biologics to deliver transformative benefit to patients, including Povetacicept program and early research projects in other Immune mediated Inflammatory diseases.
• Provide scientific and translational immunology leadership in shaping, implementing, and executing the global strategy for immunology research at Vertex, in close partnership with senior leaders.
• Lead, mentor and build a highly focused and experienced research team of scientists. Develop compelling operational plans for research programs that are aligned with development and commercial goals.
• Oversee projects in a way that showcases scientific excellence, effective personnel management and financial accountability; anticipating and communicating project obstacles (scientific, organizational and/or financial).
• Work closely with other leaders in R&D, New Product Planning, and Investor Relations to enhance scientific understanding and the building of effective communication tools to describe the activity of drug candidates and their potential benefit to patients.
• Represent company in assessing potential scientific partnerships, collaborations, and BD opportunities.
• Communicate the scientific message and the vision of the company clearly and effectively with the external scientific community.
• Provide senior leadership on collaborations or partnerships with public and private entities and act as principal representative on issues related to the organization’s programs.

Site Head

• Provide support in the oversight of daily site operations to ensure a high degree of execution across initiatives. Assist in aligning site strategic initiatives with broader organizational goals.
• Support the efficient allocation of resources to enhance productivity and effectiveness across the research site. Contribute to the management of CapEx and OpEx in line with research objectives.
• Partner with Human Resources to support people processes across the site.
• Aid in the preparation, development, and delivery of key communications, such as town halls, and portfolio management.
• Partner with facilities to support the research facility

Leadership

• Contribute to aspects of research governance, including endorsements of new projects, lead optimization transitions, development candidate nominations, and strategic investments in new technologies/capabilities.
• Take responsibility for leading key strategic initiatives on behalf of global research.
• Support research strategies for talent and organizational development, playing a leading role in supporting the growth and development of colleagues across research.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Combines outstanding strategic and interpersonal leadership with the highest levels of scientific rigor and an open and creative approach to scientific problem solving.

• Deeply collaborative in approach with the ability to align and execute.

• Proven leadership in a biotech/pharmaceutical firm or major academic research institution including leading successful teams involved in drug discovery or biomedical research.

• Ability to recruit, develop and cultivate a high achieving, inclusive organization.

• Ability to anticipate future consequences and trends.

• Ability to gracefully succeed in a fast-paced, highly collaborative, and results oriented environment.

• Compelling and authentic communicator.

• Ability to innovate and influence, lead change, and manage resistance to change.

• Demonstrated track record of managing and influencing at the senior level

Education and Experience:

• MD/PhD or PhD in immunology or related scientific field.

• Typically requires 15 years of experience in life sciences or academia and 7+ years of supervisory/management experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience .

• Demonstrated rigor and scientific leadership as an immunologist within the pharma/biotech industry or leading academic medical research institute.

• Demonstratable drug- and target hunter experience, with deep disease and human biology understanding.

• Track record of advancing a discovery pipeline of high-quality approaches with potential for transformative impact.

  Broad understanding of the drug discovery and development continuum.

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Pay Range:

Flex Designation:

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this On-Site designated role, you will 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.

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