External Innovation Executive Director

External Innovation Executive Director

External Innovation Executive Director

The External Innovation (EI) Executive Director leads end-to-end identification, evaluation, and advancement of external opportunities that materially strengthen Vertex's R&D pipeline across modalities (e.g., small molecules, biologics, CGT, RNA, delivery platforms) and enabling technologies (e.g., discovery, translational, and manufacturing tools). The role orchestrates integrated, cross-functional analyses and converts opportunity signals into clear, decision-ready recommendations for EI governance (EI Science, BDSC) and the Executive Committee.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Enterprise-wide scouting & horizon scanning : Lead systematic, data-driven surveillance of assets, platforms, and enabling technologies irrespective of modality, with explicit linkage to Vertex strategy and sandbox criteria.
• Integrated opportunity assessments : Stand up and manage cross-functional workstreams (research, clinical, regulatory, CMC, commercial, legal / finance) to pressure test fit, feasibility, and impact; distill the 35 pivotal scientific / clinical questions and drive to an objective answer.
• Diligence leadership and deal readiness : Direct rigorous scientific / clinical diligence; structure work plans, KOL outreach, competitive / CI / IP reads; and ensure seamless handoffs to Transactions with complete transfer of findings, risks, and proposed deal constructs.
• Governance & decisioning : Prepare decision memos and present at EI Science / BDSC; align on sandbox nominations and program recommendations for EC review and decisions.
• Team leadership & operating model : Manage and coach an analyst team; deploy fungible resources in a scrum-like model to priority evaluations; set standards for analysis quality, storyline, and executive-level communications.
• External ecosystem & relationship management : Be a trusted interface with VCs, biotech / pharma, academia, and founders to create proprietary access, early looks, and company creation options.
• Portfolio gap analysis & DST partnership : Conduct unbiased gap analyses vs. EC-aligned strategies; partner with DSTs to define options, risks, and timing, and to ensure external opportunities advance program success.
• Operating excellence & continuous improvement : Codify playbooks, templates, and metrics for throughput, cycle time, and decision quality; institutionalize learnings across EI and BD Ops.
• Culture & talent : Foster an environment consistent with EI competencies (business-minded leader, insight generator, influential communicator, trusted partner, change enabler, technical expert).

Required Education

Required Experience

Required Knowledge & Skills

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