Director, Financial Planning & Analysis - R&D Portfolio

Job Description

Vertex is growing at a rapid pace with challenging and exciting opportunities for motivated professionals who are keen to contribute to the Vertex mission to invest in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. Over the last few years we have evolved a robust and complex R&D pipeline which requires a focus on efficiency and prioritization as we scale. Our finance function is integral to achieving our company's strategic goals, providing critical insights and analysis in support of decision-making across the organization. We are making heavy investments in our ability to provide data-driven insights by organizing and automating financial data and processes to enable our growing global scale. We are also leveraging best practices to strengthen our business partnering and decision support capabilities. By joining our function, you will become part of a fast-moving, forward-thinking team to support the ongoing growth of a leader in the biotechnology industry.

As the Director of FP&A - R&D Portfolio, you will report to the VP of R&D Finance, managing a team of two located onsite at our Boston, MA office. This is a new role in which you will help shape the portfolio analysis organization, processes and outcomes to drive value to our business. A key player in financial planning and analysis within our function, you will be responsible for:

• Leading the long range and annual budgeting and forecasting processes for the R&D portfolio, helping to optimize resource allocation to ensure sustainable growth
• Partnering with cross-functional teams to evaluate investment opportunities, and manage business and regulatory risks to ensure company's investments align with strategic priorities and deliver maximum value
• Providing valuable business and portfolio insights to the R&D Executive Committee (RDC) and C-Suite leaders based on your analytical skills
• Embracing key attributes in technological innovation, governance and processes to enhance operational efficiency

This role is for you if you possess strong decision support analytical skills, project management expertise, team management skills, and demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and deliver successful product and project outcomes.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

As Director of FP&A - R&D Portfolio, your key contributions will be the following:

Strategic Financial Planning and Analysis:

• Lead the short- and long-term financial performance management process for the R&D portfolio (including target setting, budget vs actual analytics, monthly operating reviews, reforecasts, forecast accuracy).
• Design, optimize and implement financial models to evaluate project investments, track performance, and prioritize initiatives within the R&D portfolio.
• Collaborate with R&D Finance, CMC/Manufacturing Finance and Program Management teams to maintain accurate and up-to-date R&D budgets, forecasts, and timelines.

Portfolio Management and Insights:

• Conduct portfolio-level financial reviews to identify risks, opportunities, and resource allocation priorities and opportunities.
• Conduct analysis to yield data-driven insights across the R&D portfolio to inform senior-level and cross-functional decision-making.
• Provide comprehensive functional scenario analysis and ROI assessments to guide investment decisions.
• Partner with the VP of R&D Finance to evaluate trade-offs and ensure alignment of the portfolio with strategic goals.

Stakeholder Engagement and Decision Support:

• Prepare and deliver regular financial updates, including budget vs. actuals, trend analyses, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the RDC and for the CFO Organization.
• Create executive-level presentations to communicate R&D portfolio performance, strategic business insights, and financial recommendations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to R&D Finance and CMC/Manufacturing Finance teams, providing actionable insights and data-driven decision support in the context of the portfolio.

Process Improvement and Automation:

• Lead and/or support the enhancement of FP&A tools (including go-live of our ERP and associated follow-on predictive analytics capabilities), processes, and systems or tools to guide R&D financial planning and portfolio tracking.
• Identify and implement best practices to drive efficiency, transparency, and accuracy in financial operations.

Team Leadership:

• Build and mentor a high-performing FP&A Portfolio team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to strengthen integration between FP&A, R&D, and other relevant departments.

Basic Requirements:

• MBA or similar advanced degree.

• 10+ years of experience in FP&A, portfolio management, or related roles preferably within the biotech, pharma, or life sciences industry.

• Strong understanding of R&D processes, portfolio management, and project evaluation methodologies.

• Expertise in financial modeling, portfolio analysis and strategic planning.

• Proven ability to manage complex budgets, forecasts, and analyses in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and a proven ability to present complex financial insights to senior stakeholders.

• Demonstrated success in leading process improvement and automation initiatives.

• Expertise with Excel and PowerPoint; Working knowledge of Hyperion or similar enterprise planning tools.

Important Knowledge and Skills:

• Collaborative leadership, influencing and team-building skills.

• Intellectual curiosity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Strong analytical and modeling skills to contextualize and evaluate a broad range of financial questions, especially portfolio analysis, valuation, ROI/ROIC and complex business questions.

• Self-starter with a focus on driving enterprise results.

• Adaptability and resilience in managing competing priorities.

• Strong business acumen and judgment, and knowledge of the company's markets/products and industry trends.

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Flex Designation:

Flex Eligibility Status:

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