Job Description
Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Join Vertex
At Vertex, we invest in science, innovation, and partnerships that have the potential to transform patients’ lives. As we continue to expand our presence across the GCC region, we are seeking a highly capable Alliance Management Associate Director to help shape, lead, and strengthen strategic partnerships that support our business and patient-focused goals.
This is a high-impact role for a collaborative and commercially minded leader who thrives in complex, cross-functional environments and brings a strong ability to build trust, drive alignment, and create value through partnerships.
About the Role
The Alliance Management Associate Director will lead alliance governance and partner management activities across the GCC region, ensuring that partnerships are structured, managed, and optimized to deliver strategic and operational value.
This role will serve as a key connector across internal teams and external partners, helping to establish effective governance, support market expansion, manage risk, and foster productive, long-term relationships. The successful candidate will play an important role in shaping operating models for new markets while strengthening the effectiveness of existing collaborations.
What You Will Do
Lead alliance governance and partner management across the full partnership lifecycle, from partner identification and contracting through implementation, onboarding, ongoing management, and off-boarding
Act as the primary alliance contact for internal stakeholders and external partners, ensuring clear communication, strong coordination, and effective issue resolution
Build trusted, collaborative relationships with partners to support long-term success and mutual value creation
Work closely with Commercial, Legal, Market Access, Medical, Finance, and other cross-functional stakeholders to align partnership strategy and execution
Help design and optimize operating models for new and existing markets across the GCC region
Identify, assess, escalate, and mitigate operational, contractual, and relationship risks
Lead governance forums, launch meetings, business reviews, and other alliance touchpoints to ensure strong oversight and follow-through
Ensure internal stakeholders understand and meet their contractual commitments and responsibilities
Monitor alliance performance and health, identify improvement opportunities, and implement action plans as needed
Support alliance transitions or terminations in line with contractual obligations and best practices, while protecting Vertex’s reputation and partner relationships
Generate and consolidate market and partner insights to support planning, decision-making, and partnership effectiveness
Lead the brand planning process, including development, implementation, and evaluation of brand plans aligned to business priorities
Define meaningful KPIs, monitor performance against plan, and recommend adjustments based on results and evolving market insights
Translate critical success factors and insights into effective initiatives and tactics that support business goals
Contribute to financial planning activities, including budgeting and forecasting related to alliance operations and brand plans
Ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with Vertex SOPs, the Vertex Code of Conduct, and all applicable local laws and regulations
What You Bring
Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Business, or a related field
MBA or other postgraduate business qualification preferred
7+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry
Experience in alliance management, strategic partnerships, or governance within pharmaceutical and/or biotech organizations
Experience in brand planning, commercialization, or strategic marketing within the pharmaceutical/biotech industry
Experience in a competitive therapeutic area; Cell and Gene Therapy (CGT) experience is a plus
Demonstrated success working across cross-functional teams and influencing stakeholders without direct authority
Strong experience managing complex partnerships, governance structures, and contractual relationships
Sound understanding of pharmaceutical market dynamics, business practices, and cultural considerations across the Middle East
Strong business judgment, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills
Solid financial, analytical, project management, and forecasting capabilities
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and presentation skills
Ability to operate effectively in a matrixed, multicultural environment
Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic
Willingness to travel as needed
Why Vertex
Vertex is a place where innovation, urgency, and purpose come together. We are committed to advancing bold science and building strong partnerships that help bring meaningful medicines to patients. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on strategically important collaborations, contribute to regional growth, and help shape brand strategy in a highly collaborative environment.
If you are motivated by building strong alliances, leading cross-functional planning, navigating complexity, and making a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply.
At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.
Flex Designation:
Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible
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