Description

Job Description

International Patient Engagement Director at Vertex Pharmaceuticals reports to the VP Patient and Community Engagement and is responsible for supporting the company's advocacy strategy across several functional areas, including market access, communications, policy, and medical affairs at IHQ, and then will lead coordination, alignment and excellence of the International country patient engagement leads for CF. This position will work closely with the VP Patient and Community Engagement and the country x-functional leadership teams to help drive the company's ongoing efforts in-market to build and sustain meaningful relationships and collaborations to support the needs of patients and advance our company's goals. The DIPE will be responsible for country-level campaigns execution in CF and where identified with colleagues in the IPE team in rare diseases.

Job Responsibilities:

• Working hand in hand with the VP Patient and Community Engagement to help execute the company's patient advocacy strategy including tactical implementation - above-country, for example activities at ECFS and leadership of the CAB, working with the DST to ensure outputs of the CAB impact scientific strategy

• Serve as liaison between the EU patient community and VRTX; developing and leveraging high-level relationships with patient advocacy groups at pan-European and above-country levels to achieve Vertex goals, bring value to patients and enhance the Company's standing and reputation;

• Collaborating with Market Access, Communications and GAPP to identify and address barriers to access for our CF portfolio; represent the perspective of the patient community in this work. Work with VP Patient & Community Engagement to develop and execute issues management strategies and proactive advocacy strategies on the topic of global access including the Donation Pilot Program and non-commercial access

• Representing the company externally with the CF community managing and delivering engagements on global access

• Develop programming within CF in partnership with the patient community on the patient community's agenda

• Lead the IPE country leads to ensure that their on delivery of their CF plans are aligned, on-strategy and excellent

• Be an appropriate partner to both the patient community and the Grants and Donations committee in effective and compliant management of the grants and donations process. Responsible for for global grants and donations processes for CF, representing IPE as the leader at the CF grants committee.

• Build long-term, sustainable relationships with not identified CF patient groups and - in partnership with the rest of the IPE team - the broader rare diseases community

• This role will sit on the cystic fibrosis IXFT cross functional teams, and where appropriate will shape key global commercial team and disease strategy team priorities in the best interests of the patient community

• Accurate financial management of allocated budgets

• Ensure timely, appropriate and legally approved communication with the patient community on all of the above, including for example portfolio milestones (where compliant)

• Appoint and manage patient engagement consultants in-market to deliver on business objectives while maintaining compliance with VRTX policies;

• In partnership with communications team, integrate Vertex's communications objectives with the patient advocacy strategy and identify additional internal and external communications opportunities where appropriate;

• Provide strategic input into the development and resource prioritization for the Company's annual patient engagement plan; and the local business plan for each country within geography

• Identifying and pursuing additional opportunities to advance our company's business objectives;

• Fulfilling other duties/projects as assigned;

• Serve as an early warning to identify threats and opportunities that may impact the business and patient community;

• Exemplifying Vertex's core values and the Vertex behaviors in fulfilling these job duties, in particular the Company's core value regarding its uncompromising commitment to patients.

Key Qualifications:

• Demonstrated outstanding strategic planning, communication and presentation skills;

• Ability to travel

• Pharmaceutical sector or non-profit sector and/or relevant therapeutic area experience

• Ability to navigate seamlessly in a matrixed environment, able to work in situations with levels of ambiguity with independence

• Experience in patient advocacy, government affairs, communications, market access or public policy. A deep understanding of the HTA/pricing/access systems relevant to the geography and therapy area

• A high level of energy and passion toward patients, science and public health;

• Working knowledge and appreciation of the complexities of the drug development process and regulatory requirements;

• Understanding of the patient and caregiver experience in rare diseases, (especially CF) to include diagnosis, treatment, and treatment options preferred;

• Knowledge of the patient advocacy community/individuals in CF and rare diseases strongly preferred;

• Proven teamwork and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to interact and influence all levels of business;

• Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously;

• A desire to work in the corporate culture of a highly innovative company aimed at redefining health and transforming lives with new medicines.

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.

#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 ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com