Medical Affairs - Project Management Associate Director (Contract)

General/Position Summary

The Project Management Associate Director will operationally lead the integration, creation and execution of multiple complex departmental development plans within Medical Affairs as a member of the Medical Affairs Project Management team. Partnering closely with Project Leaders, Global Medical Leads (GMLs), Regional Medical Leads (RMLs), and cross-functional teams, the incumbent will ensure delivery of strategic and operational priorities across disease areas and geographies. This role requires a proactive, strategic thinker with strong judgment who can manage diverse needs, drive cross‑functional alignment, and ensure seamless execution of Medical Affairs objectives. Responsibilities span project planning, risk and governance management, status reporting, and development of processes, tools, and frameworks that advance departmental effectiveness.

This role is a W2 contract through end of 2026 to start. Covering a Leave of Absence. 

Hybrid Role (3 days a week on site)

Experience Needed in the Medical Affairs/Medical Planning area - please show this in your resume.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Operationally leads Medical Affairs Integrated Medical Planning (IMP), ensuring alignment of strategic integrated medical plans, budgets, goals, timelines, KPIs, vendor management, and cross‑functional deliverables.
• Facilitates governance reviews (GMAT, cross‑functional workshops, evidence forums), and drives follow‑through of approved initiatives to enable achievement of program and medical objectives.
• Independently leads and manages multiple, complex projects providing operational discipline, scenario planning, and risk mitigation recommendations.
• Develops and harmonizes dashboards, executive communications, and reporting, including EC presentations, insights dashboards, and cross‑functional reports. Proactively provides key project issues and status to senior management to ensure alignment
• Effectively summarizes key information such as program progress, timeline updates, and risk/opportunity assessments for periodic presentations to management
• Compiles succinct reports and prepare minutes for select internal meetings; methodically tracks all action items, and finds new ways to stay abreast of these multi-dimensional tasks
• Maintain frequent communication with the network of cross-functional internal and external stakeholders so that all parties are aware of current program status, issues, contingencies, and milestones
• Coordinates the tools used within the department

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Identifies opportunities to improve project management processes, tools, and ways of working; contributes to Medical Affairs Program Management best practices.
• Outstanding communication of information and ideas (written, PowerPoint, verbal), to varied audiences including senior and executive leadership
• Analytical, able to glean insights from data using excel and other tools, and communicate in a compelling, visual way
• Strong collaboration skills, with an ability to influence multiple stakeholders; builds mutual trust, respect and cooperation among team members
• Proven project management skills, including scenario analysis, business acumen and the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities; adapt to new projects rapidly and effectively
• Strategic thinker with a track record of driving results
• Self-motivated; acts independently and prioritizes appropriately; embraces unexpected changes or challenges and drives to improved solutions in a fast-paced environment
• Proven ability to work in and influence a cross-functional team promoting collaboration and high performing team behaviors with an unwavering focus on what is best for the patients we serve
• Consistently displays sound ethics, good judgment and demonstrates Vertex’s core values
• Strong biopharmaceutical drug discovery and development acumen across multiple disciplines

Required Education Level

• Requires a Bachelor's degree
• Advanced degree (MBA) or comparable experience strongly preferred

Required Experience

• Typically requires 8 years of work experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience, in project management NEEDS to be within Medical Affairs and Medical Planning

Required Knowledge/Skills

• Highly skilled at enabling goals of projects and effectively moving projects forward
• Proficient in Project Management tools (Smartsheet, MS Project or equivalent)
• Specialized, in-depth knowledge of development project planning and possesses comprehensive knowledge in multiple program areas
• Significant experience in managing complex project teams and personnel; highly skilled at coaching and mentoring other professionals, maintaining procedural and ethical standards and cultivating healthy team morale
• Highly effective communicator (verbal and written) within all levels of the department and cross functionally throughout the organization; communicates complex ideas across project boundaries, gaining alignment and persuading others to take action or adopt a different point of view
• Able to manage a large portfolio of complex projects effectively, ensuring alignment with corporate goals

$90-$100/HR

This job posting is for a temporary role with a third-party agency partner on assignment at Vertex Pharmaceuticals (“Vertex”). The individual selected for this role will be offered the role as an employee of a third- party agency partner; compensation, medical benefits, fringe benefits and other terms and conditions of employment shall be presented by the third-party agency partner upon offer. The pay rate range provided is a reasonable estimate of the anticipated compensation range for this job at the time of posting. The actual pay rate will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, location and/or being pursued and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition, this role will be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements

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No C2C or Third-Party Vendors