Job Description

General Summary:

Vertex is seeking a strategic and collaborative leader to join the US Pain Business Unit to support our journey to bring forth new options for the treatment of pain. The Director, Key Thought Leader (KTL) Strategy & Professional Organizations will play a critical role in shaping and executing Vertex’s engagement strategy with key thought leaders and professional organizations to support the continued launch and growth of JOURNAVX, a novel selective pain signal inhibitor of NaV1.8 in acute pain.

This role will be responsible for building and leading a comprehensive KTL engagement strategy, strengthening partnerships with professional societies, and advancing initiatives that shape clinical understanding, advocacy, and adoption within the evolving acute pain landscape.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead KTL Strategy Development & Execution

• Shapes and implements our key thought leader strategy and seeks deeper understanding of the market landscape to shape the future of the acute pain market & Vertex’s role within it

• Develop and execute a comprehensive KTL engagement strategy aligned to brand and market development priorities

• Identify, segment, and prioritize national, regional, and emerging thought leaders across key specialties

• Build tailored engagement plans to deepen relationships and drive advocacy, education, and influence

Drive Professional Organization Strategy

• Lead Vertex’s engagement strategy with key professional organizations and societies

• Identify opportunities to shape scientific exchange, educational initiatives, and presence within priority organizations

• Partner cross-functionally to ensure coordinated and compliant engagement across meetings, committees, and collaborations

Enable Scientific & Clinical Advocacy

• Partner closely with Medical Affairs and Marketing to ensure aligned and impactful KTL engagement

• Support development of clinical advocacy strategies, including advisory boards, expert input, and external insights

• Leverage KTL insights to inform brand strategy, market development, and future opportunities

Integrate Across HCP Engagement Ecosystem

• Ensure alignment between KTL strategy, speaker programs, congress strategy, and broader HCP engagement efforts

• Partner with P2P, HCP Marketing, and Field teams to maximize impact and consistency across touchpoints

Insights Generation & Strategic Input

• Gather and synthesize insights from KTL interactions to inform:

• Brand strategy and positioning

• Educational priorities

• Market landscape evolution

• Translate insights into actionable recommendations for senior leadership

Execution Excellence & Governance

• Establish clear processes and governance for KTL identification, engagement, and tracking

• Ensure all activities are conducted in compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards

• Manage agency partners and external vendors as needed to support execution

• Responsible for developing and implementing governance related to all KTL engagement activity through guidance documents and implementation guides

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner closely with Marketing, Medical Affairs, Market Access, HEOR and Field teams to drive aligned external engagement strategy

• Serve as a key contributor to launch readiness and ongoing commercialization efforts

• Influence stakeholders across functions to ensure cohesive and effective execution

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required

• 10+ years of experience in healthcare/biopharmaceuticals across marketing, medical affairs, or related functions

• Experience developing and executing KTL/KOL engagement strategies and professional organization partnerships

• Experience working cross-functionally in a matrixed organization

Required Skills:

• Deep understanding of KTL/KOL engagement models and external stakeholder strategy

• Strong strategic thinking with the ability to translate insights into actionable plans

• Excellent relationship-building and influencing skills with both internal and external stakeholders

• Strong communication skills, including ability to engage senior leaders and external experts

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, evolving environment

• Strong project management and organizational skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting product launches or market development initiatives

• Experience working with professional societies or leading external partnerships

• Familiarity with compliance requirements related to external engagement and HCP interactions

• Ability to travel ~40-50%

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]