Portfolio & Program Management Technology Director

Job Description

General Summary:

The Portfolio & Program Management Business Technology Director is a role within the Portfolio & Program Management (PPM) organization and newly formed Center of Excellence. The incumbent is responsible for business ownership of technology platforms and AI tools supporting PPM and the broader Transactions, Alliances, and Portfolio Management (TAPM) organization, with accountability for enabling integrated planning, portfolio reporting and analytics, and scalable new ways of working. This role leads cross-functional efforts to evolve project management systems, strengthen data governance, and advance an integrated, AI-ready portfolio technology environment.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Partner with TAPM leadership to shape and execute the technology and AI roadmap, driving delivery of capabilities that enhance portfolio planning, decision-making, and operational effectiveness
• Serve as business owner for the PPM project management platform, with primary accountability for MS Project Server Subscription Edition as the system of record for functional and integrated project plans
• Lead business ownership of AI tools and use cases across PPM and TAPM to improve reporting, analytics, automation, and process efficiency
• Ensure project management platform data effectively supports portfolio reporting, resource planning, financial planning, and enterprise decision-making
• Lead cross-functional efforts to define business requirements, evaluate options, and support selection of future-state project management and portfolio technology solutions
• Coordinate integration across project plans, portfolio data, resources, and financials to support a more connected planning environment and improved data quality
• Define and maintain business processes for system governance, data governance, issue resolution, platform administration, and continuous improvement
• Partner with TAPM leaders and cross-functional stakeholders to align priorities, influence decisions, and support adoption of systems, tools, and process changes
• Oversee business administration of other department technologies, including collaboration tools such as SharePoint, as applicable

Knowledge and Skills:

• Broad understanding of project and portfolio management systems, including direct experience with MS Project; familiarity with other industry-relevant platforms preferred
• Understanding of how project planning data supports portfolio reporting, resource planning, financial planning, and portfolio decision-making
• Experience with enterprise system business ownership, including governance, requirements definition, user support, and issue management
• Knowledge of AI and automation applications in business processes; experience with Power BI or similar reporting and visualization tools preferred
• Knowledge of data governance, data quality, and stewardship practices
• Pharmaceutical drug discovery and development expertise across multiple disciplines
• Strong collaboration, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across a matrixed organization

Education and Experience:

• Typically requires a Bachelor's degree in Business, Life Sciences, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field
• Typically requires 12 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience
• Relevant experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or related industry supporting portfolio management, program management, business systems, or operations is required
• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives and working with senior stakeholders is required
• Supervisory or people leadership experience is preferred but not required

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