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External Innovation Executive Director

External Innovation Executive Director

VertexBoston, MA, US
20 days ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

External Innovation Executive Director

The External Innovation (EI) Executive Director leads end-to-end identification, evaluation, and advancement of external opportunities that materially strengthen Vertex's R&D pipeline across modalities (e.g., small molecules, biologics, CGT, RNA, delivery platforms) and enabling technologies (e.g., discovery, translational, and manufacturing tools). The role orchestrates integrated, cross-functional analyses and converts opportunity signals into clear, decision-ready recommendations for EI governance (EI Science, BDSC) and the Executive Committee.

Key Duties and Responsibilities :

  • Enterprise-wide scouting & horizon scanning : Lead systematic, data-driven surveillance of assets, platforms, and enabling technologies irrespective of modality, with explicit linkage to Vertex strategy and sandbox criteria.
  • Integrated opportunity assessments : Stand up and manage cross-functional workstreams (research, clinical, regulatory, CMC, commercial, legal / finance) to pressure test fit, feasibility, and impact; distill the 35 pivotal scientific / clinical questions and drive to an objective answer.
  • Diligence leadership and deal readiness : Direct rigorous scientific / clinical diligence; structure work plans, KOL outreach, competitive / CI / IP reads; and ensure seamless handoffs to Transactions with complete transfer of findings, risks, and proposed deal constructs.
  • Governance & decisioning : Prepare decision memos and present at EI Science / BDSC; align on sandbox nominations and program recommendations for EC review and decisions.
  • Team leadership & operating model : Manage and coach an analyst team; deploy fungible resources in a scrum-like model to priority evaluations; set standards for analysis quality, storyline, and executive-level communications.
  • External ecosystem & relationship management : Be a trusted interface with VCs, biotech / pharma, academia, and founders to create proprietary access, early looks, and company creation options.
  • Portfolio gap analysis & DST partnership : Conduct unbiased gap analyses vs. EC-aligned strategies; partner with DSTs to define options, risks, and timing, and to ensure external opportunities advance program success.
  • Operating excellence & continuous improvement : Codify playbooks, templates, and metrics for throughput, cycle time, and decision quality; institutionalize learnings across EI and BD Ops.
  • Culture & talent : Foster an environment consistent with EI competencies (business-minded leader, insight generator, influential communicator, trusted partner, change enabler, technical expert).

Required Education :

  • PhD (or equivalent advanced degree) and 15+ years of biotech / pharma experience spanning discovery and / or early development; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

    • Required Experience :

  • Breadth across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities with a track record of leading complex evaluations from scouting through governance decision.
  • Demonstrated success influencing executive-level decisions (BDSC / EC or equivalent) with crisp, quantitative, and evidence-based recommendations.
  • Proven ability to build and manage high-performing analyst teams and to operate an integrated analysis model.

    • Required Knowledge & Skills :

  • Scientific depth + learning agility : Rapidly master novel mechanisms, disease biology, and platform technologies; challenge assumptions using causal biology thinking and translational rigor.
  • Business acumen : Valuation literacy; option value framing; scenario and risk modeling; ability to articulate value drivers and deal concepts (from partnerships to company creation / M&A).
  • Program & portfolio judgment : Gap / risk assessment vs. strategy; sandbox criteria application; sensitivity to manufacturability, regulatory path, and global market feasibility.
  • Influential communication : Executive-quality narratives and visuals; clear storyline from problem framing to recommendation; ability to lead with facts and secure alignment.
  • Stakeholder leadership : Credible engagement with VCs, KOLs, and external partners; strong internal partnership with Transactions and Alliance Management for execution continuity.
  • Operating discipline : Drive throughput with a scrum-like resource model; set standards, templates, and review cadences to improve decision speed and quality.
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