Director, Engineering and Data Governance- Research

Job Description

General/Position Summary

Vertex is in an exciting time of growth and innovation, and technology and data are valued as strategic assets. We're seeking a visionary Director of Engineering and Data Governance to lead the strategy, planning, and governance of data and custom software solutions for our research and pre-clinical teams. Reporting to the Sr. Director of DSE (Data & Software Engineering) Governance, you will drive innovation, ensure data quality, and enable impactful research through cutting edge data & AI products. This is a high-visibility leadership role with significant influence on Vertex's scientific and business outcomes.

Your expertise in understanding engineering capabilities, managing engineering demand, estimating engineering projects, communicating project and function status, and driving governance and standards will be crucial in directing our engineering staff to deliver and support high value business-driven data and software at the right time, with approved resources, and with high quality.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Partner with DTE Leadership to develop and execute data and analytics strategy aligned to the research business strategy and develop data and analytics roadmaps to enable the data strategy.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders to identify and deliver high-impact data and software solutions.
• Oversee the management, documentation, use, and quality assurance processes for prioritized data projects and data assets, including proprietary data sets, third party data, research and pre-clinical data.
• Establish and enforce data governance standards, frameworks and best practices.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define project goals, deliverables, timelines, budgets, and resource requirements.
• Collaborate with resource managers to source, allocate and assign internal or contingent workers to project and operational activities
• Monitor project progress, manage risks, and communicate status to senior leadership.
• Collaborate with cross-functional DTE and business teams, including portfolio management, privacy, security, business engagement, DCS (Data and Computational Sciences), data science teams and HR to ensure data and software development needs are understood and solutions are aligned with prioritized business objectives.
• Foster a culture of innovation, continuous improvement, and accountability.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong knowledge and experience with leading and managing data, AI/ML, reporting and analytics projects and assets for the research & pre-clinical domains in the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Knowledge and experience in the research functional area and the related business processes and data.
• Strong understanding of data management, data governance, data architecture, software engineering, and cloud computing
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate technical and non-technical topics to senior leaders and engineering teams.
• Proven ability to serve as a control function and enforce annual planning agreements by finding ways to say "yes" to prioritized commitments and "no" to lower priority requests
• Strong understanding and awareness of data privacy, data security and compliance to relevant rules including GxP regulations.
• Strong knowledge of modern technologies like AI/ML, LLMs, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data platforms like AWS, Snowflake and Databricks
• Strong project management and resource planning skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Experience with Agile methodologies.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required (preferably in a technology or engineering discipline).
• 10+ years' experience working in growing technology roles with at least 6 years in IT leadership positions.
• 6+ years' experience in a similar governance, planning, or strategy role with a focus on bio pharma

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.

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