Senior Director, External Communications

About the position

The Communications Senior Director develops and leads global external and internal communications activities for several Vertex-approved products and pipeline programs to drive a greater understanding of Vertex's business strategy, robust pipeline and specific diseases of focus. This role will focus on collaborating with cross-functional partners, including commercial, medical, government affairs, regulatory and patient advocacy, among others, to deliver effective and compliant communications across a range of channels including developing product communications plans and leading brand-level communications activities from a program's inception through launch and lifecycle management. As a people manager within the organization, this role also has financial accountabilities and human resource responsibilities for assigned staff.

Responsibilities

• Develop and drive the internal and external communications strategy for certain approved products and pipeline programs, acting as the global communications lead in collaboration with cross functional teams
• Manage creation of materials to support brand communications for late-stage milestones
• Identify potential brand and franchise-related issues and develop proactive issues management strategies
• Serve as liaison and communications advisor for key internal stakeholders through the Disease Strategy Teams and Business Unit Leadership Teams
• Establish and maintain relationships with key healthcare, business and trade reporters
• Manage PR firm relationships - from initial RFP and onboarding through lifecycle of the engagement - and budgets and ensure alignment between regional communications teams
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of portfolio and brand businesses inclusive of strategies, goals and market challenges
• Develop clear and compelling messaging platforms that will resonate with key audiences and maintain all communications collateral materials
• Work collaboratively with the head of international communications and in-country teams to develop globally relevant and culturally appropriate program communications to support ex-U.S. launches
• Drive Vertex's corporate narrative, image and brand and communicate it appropriately and effectively through external channels
• Serve as a member of the corporate communications leadership team, contributing to overall team development, helping establish best practices across the team and providing mentorship/leadership coaching to junior team members

Requirements

• Experience in product communications within the biotech or pharma industry
• Crisis and issues management experience
• Strong understanding of the pharmaceutical/biotech business model, regulatory and reimbursement processes and current industry trends
• Experience leading global communications efforts to support the launch of a novel or first-of-its-kind therapy
• Proficiency in translating high science content into meaningful messages for external audiences
• Strong media experience and successful track record as a spokesperson
• People management experience
• Experience working on a day-to-day basis with senior leaders and/or C-suite level management
• Ability to handle confidential information in a professional manner
• Outstanding verbal and written communications skills
• Proven ability to anticipate communications needs based on the lifecycle of a product and competitive landscape and an ability to adapt approach to a challenge
• Ability to successfully influence without authority and develop strong internal partnerships

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision benefits
• Generous paid time off including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter
• Educational assistance programs including student loan repayment
• Generous commuting subsidy
• Matching charitable donations
• 401(k)
• Annual bonus and annual equity awards