Executive Medical Director, Regional Medical Affairs (SEB Region)

Job Description

General Summary:

The Executive Medical Director, Regional Medical Affairs will be based in [insert location] and serves as a senior leader responsible for shaping and executing the Medical Affairs strategy across the designated region for a specific disease area. This role provides strategic and operational leadership to support product launches, lifecycle management, evidence generation, and external scientific engagement, while ensuring alignment with Global Medical Affairs strategy and regional business priorities. The Executive Medical Director partners closely with cross-functional and country leaders to address regional needs, drive organizational effectiveness, and deliver meaningful outcomes for patients and Vertex.

A key aspect of the role is the close collaboration with cross-functional leadership teams to ensure that the unique needs and priorities of the regions are effectively integrated into a unified Global Medical Affairs strategy. This collaborative approach ensures alignment and maximizes impact at both the regional and global levels.

Additionally, the Executive Medical Director works in partnership with the [insert region] cross-functional teams, including Commercial, Market Access, GAPP, Corporate Communications, Legal, Compliance (OBIE),Regulatory, Global Medical, Research & Development, HR Business Partners, and Finance. Through these partnerships, the leader drives cross-functional alignment, anticipates future organizational needs, and makes meaningful contributions to the long-term success of both the region and Vertex as a whole.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the regional Medical Affairs strategy for the designated disease area, ensuring alignment with Global Medical Affairs, regional business priorities, patient needs, and applicable laws, regulations, and company policies.
• Drive launch readiness, lifecycle management, and evidence generation across the region by identifying evidence gaps, shaping regional medical plans, supporting pipeline therapies, and advancing data generation initiatives including real-world data and other strategic projects.
• Provide governance and strategic leadership for Medical Affairs activities across the region, including guidance to Country Medical Directors and in-country medical colleagues, establishment of meaningful medical KPIs, and proactive scenario planning to address evolving business and market needs.
• Build and maintain trusted scientific partnerships with HCPs, scientific societies, patient organizations, payers, policymakers, and other external stakeholders, while leading regional advisory, educational, and scientific exchange activities in support of Vertex strategy.
• Partner cross-functionally with Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance, R&D, Medical Information, HEOR, Corporate Affairs, Legal, Compliance, and other colleagues to support patient access, scientific communications, reimbursement activities, policy engagement, and broader regional objectives.
• Lead, develop, and coach the regional medical team, ensuring strong talent management, capability building, performance oversight, and a culture of scientific excellence, accountability, collaboration, and continuous development.
• Ensure medical governance, compliance, and scientific integrity across all activities, including review of promotional and non-promotional materials, safety reporting readiness, fair-balanced scientific communication, and appropriate response to significant safety or product-related issues.
• Contribute to broader regional leadership and operational planning through medical input into financial planning, budgeting, epidemiology, compassionate use programs, investigator-initiated research, and other strategic and operational priorities.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong business judgment and ability to assess the strategic and financial implications of decisions.
• Exhibit exceptional scientific expertise and disease area knowledge.
• Advanced knowledge of Medical Affairs, including launch support, evidence generation, external engagement, and lifecycle management.
• Strong understanding of global and regional regulatory, legal, and compliance requirements, including US and ex-US environments.
• Demonstrated ability to lead in a complex, matrixed organization and influence senior leaders and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Excellent strategic planning, prioritization, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, lead through change, and make sound decisions in rapidly evolving environments.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to tailor messages to different stakeholder groups.
• Proven ability to build high-performing teams and foster collaboration, accountability, and patient focus.
• Unwavering commitment to ethical conduct, scientific integrity, and patient-centered decision-making.
• Travel up to 30% required.

Education and Experience:

• Advanced degree required: MD, DO, PharmD, PhD, or equivalent advanced degree in medicine, life sciences, or a related scientific discipline.
• MD or equivalent clinical degree strongly preferred.
• Significant experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, healthcare, or related industry.
• Substantial people leadership and/or senior management experience in medical affairs
• Demonstrated experience supporting product launches, evidence generation, and cross-functional strategic planning.

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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.

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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