Job Description

General Summary:

The Executive Director, Drug Metabolism & Pharmacokinetics, will lead the DMPK team at our Oxford site and will be part of the Global DMPK and Oxford Site leadership teams. The responsibilities of the role include developing and executing the strategy and operations of the Oxford DMPK team, as well as the scientific and managerial coordination of its groups and employees. This role will optimise interdisciplinary activities within DMPK and integrate activities with those of the other sites and departments, and thus, play a major role in shaping the direction of the overall Vertex portfolio. Using deep scientific expertise and strong leadership skills, this role will provide strategic and scientific direction to help advance the discovery and development of transformational therapies for serious unmet medical needs at Vertex.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop a strategy and vision for the Oxford DMPK team that is aligned with the Global DMPK and Vertex R&D vision/mission
• Develop and execute DMPK scientific strategies to address ADME challenges in discovery and development programs
• Build and maintain strong collaborative partnerships with Medicinal Chemistry, Biology, Preclinical Safety, Clinical Pharmacology, CMC and other R&D disciplines to advance Vertex programs through discovery and development.
• Represent DMPK function on drug discovery and development teams, at the Oxford site and with Vertex governance bodies
• Implement innovative technologies and approaches to enhance scientific impact and/or efficiencies.
• Provides scientific and managerial leadership to their team in prioritising and executing on key deliverables and project needs
• Ensure completion of necessary DMPK regulatory documentation and reports to support drug development, including Investigator Brochures, INDs (or equivalent), and marketing applications.
• Hire, develop, manage and retain key talent to maintain a high-performing team.
• Develop internal and external sourcing strategies and liaise across sites to best meet project needs. Contribute to developing Global DMPK resource allocation, staffing needs, expenses, and capital budgeting, as well as implementation plans.
• Participate in the review of business development opportunities

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strong management and leadership skills, with emphasis on developing and mentoring junior scientists to create a high-performing team
• Successful track record and experience in a DMPK lead role on multiple R&D teams across more than one therapeutic area. Extensive experience working with small molecules is a must. Additional expertise and familiarity with one or more other modalities (e.g., protein, antibody and nucleic acid therapeutics, cell and gene therapies) is desired.
• Deep scientific and strategic expertise in various components of DMPK science such as in vitro and in vivo ADME assays, mass spectrometry and bioanalysis, pharmacokinetic data analysis, biotransformation/disposition pathways, drug interaction risk assessment and human dose and drug interaction predictions. Additional skills in areas such as transporter science, enzymology and PK/PD and PBPK modelling will be a plus.
• Ability to critically evaluate and implement new science and technology as it relates to the discovery and development of new medicines
• Excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, and ability to develop and grow strong cross-site/function collaborations

Education and Experience:

• Proven experience in a similar role is required after a PhD or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.

Flex Designation:

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this On-Site designated role, you will 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-Onsite

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]