Senior Director, Regulatory Strategy International - EU Affiliates & Rest of World

Job Description

General Summary:

The Senior Director, Regulatory Strategy International (EU Affiliates & ROW), is responsible for regulatory strategy, team management, and the execution of local submission strategies in their respective markets. International markets comprise those outside North America, which includes the European  Affiliates (EU, UK, and CH) and Rest of World (ROW). ROW is defined as the Vertex International region outside of Europe, UK and CH, which includes emerging markets & distributor markets.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Regulatory

• Acts as the Regulatory European Affiliates & ROW Lead managing the International Affiliates & ROW regulatory team, which includes submission teams at IHQ and in the European affiliates and ROW regions
• Primary accountability for working with regulatory consultants and distributor partners in the European Affiliates & ROW regions
• Works with team to define submission strategies and tactics for the European Affiliates & ROW regions, which may include leveraging filings in other regions (e.g., EU Centralized or US), as appropriate
• In collaboration with Intl Reg leads and Global Regulatory Therapy Area Lead (GRTAL), defining European  Affiliates & ROW regulatory strategy for products within assigned therapy area and leading or contributing to regulatory and policy discussions with a broad range of global and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Providing strong strategic and tactical European Affiliates & ROW regulatory contributions to Global development plans for assigned drug candidate(s), in addition to other selected development projects.
• Being the primary contact for European Affiliates & ROW Regulatory Affairs with the Vertex International business and business partners / distributors  
• Effectively working with a cross-department team (i.e., Regulatory Policy, Regulatory CMC, Regulatory Operations, Advertising, Labelling & Promotions, etc.) leaders to achieve corporate business and department goals and objectives.
• Ensure projects are appropriately prioritised and progressed in accordance with agreed regulatory plans, with any identified risks (from emerging data, changing internal objectives or external threats) communicated to Regulatory Affairs Senior Management in a timely manner
• Anticipating global regulatory changes in the European Affiliates & ROW region and developing a proactive strategy accordingly.
• Counselling and advising senior management on the status of EU Affiliates & ROW Regulatory Affairs strategies and tactics, procedures and practices, with a focus on regulatory and policy trends
• Working to influence the regulatory environment through active participation in conferences, industry / agency regulatory committees and trade associations.
• Member of the International Regulatory Affairs Leadership Team
• May act as Regulatory Regional Lead or Global Regulatory Lead for one or more products.

General

• Work with cross-department teams (e.g., submission teams and launch teams), key IHQ functions and business partners and distributors to achieve corporate and departmental goals and objectives.
• Supervising, coaching and mentoring junior staff, as well as peers; providing training, sharing insights and promoting an environment of continuous learning and improvement within department.
• Helping cross-functional process improvement efforts – for example aligning on new & more efficient ways of working, mapping processes, creating new business documents (e.g., new SOPs).
• Exhibit ownership and accountability for all projects and internal assignments
• Ability to travel to US as well as attend EU Affiliates & ROW meetings as required
• Exemplify Vertex’s core values in fulfilling these job duties

Knowledge and Skills:

Regulatory

• Recent direct experience of regulatory submissions and maintenance of approvals across multiple therapeutic areas and product modalities. Must include leading direct interactions with a variety of stakeholders including consultants, partners/distributors and EU Affiliates & ROW national authorities.
• Extensive experience of defining and executing EU Affiliates & ROW regulatory strategy
• Ability to apply regulatory knowledge with a broad global and cross-functional mindset essential
• Recognized as a knowledgeable resource for regulatory advice in other departments

General

• Desire to be part of a highly innovative company aimed at transforming the lives of people with serious diseases, their families and society
• Display solid ethics and fully comply with all regulatory, legal and industry codes of conduct
• Strategic ability, as evidenced by an awareness of the "big picture" strategic issues facing the business overall and positioning of local strategy relative to global and international requirements
• Ability to navigate and be successful in a fast-paced environment while delivering high quality results
• Adaptable to changing plans when situations require it and able to maintain composure and make decisions in uncertain circumstances
• Able to behave independently with minimal guidance where needed, but must understand and embrace being part of a team and working collaboratively with others within the function and cross-functionally
• Direct line management experience and demonstrated ability in coaching and mentoring more junior staff and peers in a matrix environment is essential.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to deal effectively with a variety of personalities
• Empowers other team members through delegation of tasks and decisions
• Excellent communication skills, strong oral/written presentation skills.
• Acts to promote an energizing, inclusive environment and good morale
• Fluent written and spoken English

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences required; Masters-level or Ph.D. degree is preferred
• Typically requires significant, relevant pharmaceutical or biotech industry experience within regulatory affairs and extensive supervisory/management experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience

#LI-SG1

#LI-Hybrid

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]