Vice President, Regional Medical Lead - Pain

Job Description

Position Summary:

Vertex is seeking a talented leader that will lead the US Regional Medical Team responsible for commercialization of our portfolio of pain medicines. At Vertex, we are targeting the underlying cause of pain, including acute or chronic severe pain caused by a variety of conditions, by selectively using the NaV 1.7 and 1.8 voltage-gated sodium channels that are expressed in the peripheral nervous system.

Our aim is to prevent pain signals from being transmitted from the peripheral sensory nerves to the brain. We continue to discover, research and develop a portfolio of small molecule medicines as potential treatment of both acute pain, launched in Q1 2025, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Because of the prevalence of pain across the world and its significant burden (clinical, humanistic, societal), we believe there is a significant unmet need for potential new treatments.

The Vice President, Regional Medical Lead - Pain is responsible for the overall US medical launch strategy and leading a high-performing team to execute that vision. They will oversee all medical launch plans and activities, and drive the cross-functional team to ensure success. This role reports to the Vice President, Medical Affairs North America.

The incumbent will oversee the development and execution of Regional Medical Affairs plans across the acute pain portfolio, with potential for further indications and will have managerial responsibilities to develop and lead the US home office medical and field Medical team in this disease area.

The role will work closely with cross-functional groups, including Research & Development, Commercial, Government and Patient Affairs, and Corporate Communications, to ensure that medical insights inform medical strategies . This individual will represent Pain on the North America Medical Leadership Team, and must have the ability to work effectively in a highly matrix environment with a successful track record of developing project strategies and executing project details. This role is committed to achieving corporate objectives and will maintain the highest ethical, regulatory and scientific standards.

The VP will report to the Vice President, Medical Affairs North America and interact with the senior leaders of the North America Medical organization, including the Regional Medical Leads for the Cystic Fibrosis, Hematology, Nephrology and Type 1 Diabetes disease areas. The VP, Regional Medical Lead - Pain is responsible for the leadership of both headquarters medical and science directors as well as the medical science liaison (MSL) team. This person will lead US teams for the Acute Pain launch, and prepare for future indications. The VP will be expected to provide input on a variety of topics and participate in a number of working groups and teams, and transform strategies and objectives into tactical goals for the MSL team. This position is thus responsible for direct reports, implementation and monitoring of the MSL operations budget and active participation in matrix teams across their therapeutic area. The VP will also conduct the annual performance reviews with their team, and foster the Vertex culture of "we wins", innovation, and pursuit of excellence focusing on coaching and mentoring his/her team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Drives and leads the strategic alignment of the US Acute Pain launch with Suzetrigine, working cross functionally and partnering with other key functions at Vertex such as Commercial, Global Development, Compliance, Government Affairs, and Corporate Communications.

• Leads a team of science and medical directors, and field-based medical science liaisons across Acute Pain to influence the strategy for Medical Affairs and overseeing execution of country brand plans and product launches.

• Ensures accurate and up to date Thought Leader lists, tiering, and engagement plans to gather information and answer questions across their disease area

• Ensures all Regional Medical team members possess appropriate skills and facilitates ongoing professional development

• Sits on North America Medical Leadership Team for Acute Pain

• Responsible for development, implementation, and analysis of Phase IV studies and Investigator Initiated Studies.

• Responsible for medical interpretation of data (clinical trials, registries, published literature, etc. ) for in-development and marketed compounds; review clinical trials and community based grants, as needed.

• Assists the Commercial team with the development of education material for providers and patients that is medically accurate and appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Extensive experience in drug development, commercialization of novel therapeutics and working with the FDA is highly desirable

• Possesses the skills to build, lead, develop and work with teams and individuals in a global, functionally matrixed environment.

• Possesses understanding of government and industry guidelines, regulations, laws, etc. , for appropriate scientific/medical exchange and communication with customers, and a broad understanding of global medical, regulatory and commercial environments.

• Exhibits sound business judgment with an understanding of the significant financial investments and the ultimate impact that the role has on product opportunities and on the Company.

• Proven ability to develop internal relationships in a highly matrix environment, as well as external relationships with Key Opinion Leaders and industry experts.

• Possesses strong launch experience and knowledge in the pain disease area.

• Well-established networks and ability to develop and maintain strong professional relationships internally and externally by gaining credibility and confidence with others.

• Excellent strategic skills with the ability to influence decisions, both internally and externally.

• Excellent communication and relationship skills to engage in positive dialogues, influence outcomes and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner with all levels of leadership.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment, as well as the proven track record of working effectively in diverse teams involving multi-functional disciplines.

• Medical degree preferred (PhD, PharmD minimal) with 13+ years of pharmaceutical industry experience.

Pay Range:

Disclosure Statement:

Flex Designation:

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

Company Information

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

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 ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com