Associate Director, Sample Operations Program Management

Job Description

General Summary:

As the Associate Director, Sample Operations Program Management, you will be responsible for overseeing the portfolio of projects across the Vertex Sampling and In Hospital Pilot Programs and aligning them with strategic department goals to ensure successful, efficient delivery. This role is responsible for ensuring robust and balanced cross-functional planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the Sample Operations program enhancements and operational execution. This individual will define roadmaps and mitigate risks across multiple interconnected initiatives, including the management of project plans, system/operational enhancements, process documentation, and analytical insights to advance the business strategy and customer experience. This role will work to ensure the cross-functional teams operate effectively with positive team dynamics. This position reports to the Director of Sample Management and Operations within the North America Field Operations team. This role requires strong cross-functional collaboration across internal and external stakeholders including the business unit, compliance, supply chain, IT, and vendors to ensure alignment in prioritization, scope, and delivery. This role will require strong organizational skills and effective communication to support business process documentation, including strategic thinking and recommendations to inform business decisions. This is a hands-on role and will require expertise in managing complex programs and driving initiatives across multiple stakeholders to achieve business results in a highly compliant, agile environment.

This position is a hybrid role located in Boston. You must live in the Boston area and be in the office 3 days/week at minimum.

Key responsibilities will include and are not limited to the following:

• Drive weekly operational team meetings, including program enhancements, action plans, timelines, and perform meeting organization tasks including agendas, notes, and action items
• Build and manage project plans and project task completion across a variety of stakeholders (internal and external)
• Create detailed roadmaps, schedules, and milestones for project completion
• Define, implement, and maintain program initiatives that align with department and organizational goals
• Lead scoping, design, prioritization, and tracking of enhancements across internal and vendor systems and processes
• Identify, analyze, and resolve risks and dependencies across projects
• Close collaboration with IT team members to ensure coordinated evaluation of technical improvements
• Build and maintain a library of all process documentation including process flow diagrams, business rules, compliance documents, training and SOPs across both In Hospital and Sample Program projects
• Create and update leadership presentation materials for programs, including program reporting metrics, insights, and recommendations
• Support the Sample Operations team with activities and deliverables as needed

Knowledge and Skills:

• Demonstrated experience using standard program management tools and software including integrated development plans, timelines, risk management, and budget development and monitoring
• Experience with complex program management, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry, with the ability to develop project plans, coordinate tasks, manage issues, mitigate risks and deliver outcomes across multiple stakeholders (internal and external)
• Ability to develop process flow diagrams, project plans, scoping/business rules documentation, SOPs/Work Instructions & Field Training documentation
• Have a continuous improvement mindset, with experience in using operational data, issue/risk management, and end-user feedback to refine business processes and systems to improve efficiency and end-user satisfaction
• Strong influencing and interpersonal skills including negotiation, managing meetings and group dynamics with the ability to balance concerns of line management with objectives of cross-functional team
• Ability to provide strategic vision and guide the team to develop integrated plans for successfully executing the strategy
• Independent and creative thinker and enabler requiring minimum oversight
• Drive service providers so meet contractual deliverables and establish ongoing
• program improvements and efficiencies
• Communication skills, including written and oral communication of executive level information and recommendations
• Ability to lead teams without direct authority and align projects with strategies

Education and Experience:

• 8+ years of experience as a program and/or cross functional project manager with demonstrated success managing multiple projects, preferably in a pharmaceutical commercial operations function
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent proficiency a plus
• Strong understanding of change management in the life sciences industry
• Proven leadership, team management skills and vendor management
• Bachelor's degree or combination of equivalent education and demonstrated experience as a Program Manager

Pay Range:

Disclosure Statement:

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

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 [email protected]