Medical Affairs Science Director - Pain

General Summary

The Pain Medical Affairs Senior Director or Medical Affairs Director is a critical role in Global Medical Affairs, working on global activities for the Pain disease area. Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to, Medical Plan development, launch strategy and execution, scientific leadership, external medical expert engagement, and strategic alignment with commercial and other cross‑functional business partners. This role will also be critical in developing medical content, including training, Q&A, and externally facing medical materials, and contributing to the development of the publication plan. This role reports to the disease area Global Medical Lead and is a core member of the disease area Global Medical team.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Execute and communicate the Global Medical Plan in collaboration with other internal stakeholders across Vertex.
• Serve as a senior and advanced product expert for all global compound or disease area related issues with the external community and internally at Vertex.
• Closely follow medical developments within the disease area and ensure new information to transform clinical trends and emerging data is integrated into medical plans.
• Lead the development of global scientific communications and core global materials (e.g., congress plans).
• Represent Vertex at scientific and medical forums, including medical education forums, scientific societies, patient advocacy groups, and congresses.
• Engage with leading global key thought leaders (KTL) to gain contribution/ participation in advisory boards, greater understanding of the therapeutic area, and insights into unmet patient needs.
• Perform and lead medical review of assigned brand‑related content.
• Drive alignment on medical content/messaging within the organization to ensure maximal functional and regional input.
• Conduct complex critical appraisals of available scientific and medical knowledge, identify gaps, and in collaboration with the Medical Affairs Training & Capabilities group develop training and core medical materials for the medical team.
• Demonstrate an enterprise strategic mindset in collaborating cross‑functionally and creating innovative strategies and deliverables.
• Lead projects characterized by complexity, and integration requirements that cross functions with extensive stakeholder management.
• Interpret internal/external business challenges and develop best practices to improve products, processes or services.
• Serve as a mentor/coach to others on the team.
• Represent Medical Affairs on relevant commercial teams.
• Thought partner while supporting Access, Patient Advocacy, Policy, and Corporate Communications teams with medical/scientific expertise and materials review.

Knowledge and Skills

• Advanced Medical Affairs competencies in scientific communication frameworks and impactful material development.
• Expertise in health communication principles and knowledge of how to pull through material development.
• Strong communication, medical and scientific knowledge of the disease area with the ability to communicate highly complex ideas; interaction with senior leaders and advanced negotiation skills.
• Enterprise strategic thinking and problem solving, resolving complex problems with wide‑reaching implications to the performance of an organizational function.
• Strong business acumen and thorough drug development experience, demonstrating deep and broad understanding of cross‑functional interdependencies across the drug development lifecycle.
• Proven leadership capabilities, ability to work within complex matrixes with and without functional authority.
• Compliance expertise and in‑depth knowledge of relevant legislation or regulatory guidance governing the provision of medical information and applicable data privacy legislation.
• Actively foster strong and highly effective working relationships with key influential stakeholders inside and outside of Vertex.

Education and Experience

• Advanced degree (MD, Masters, PharmD, or Ph.D.) or equivalent highly relevant experience.
• Typically requires 12 years of experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five or more years of relevant experience in medical affairs and/or clinical development, including experience in both global and country/region (desired).

Pay Range

$223,200 - $334,800

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.

Flex Designation

Hybrid-Eligible or On‑Site Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status

In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:

• Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or
• 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.

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

EEO Statement

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non‑discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person's race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E‑Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at