Job Description

The Canadian Patient Engagement Lead, Senior Manager (PEL) at Vertex Pharmaceuticals reports to the Public Affairs and Communications Senior Director and is responsible for supporting the company's Canadian patient engagement strategy across several functional areas, including policy, market access, communications, within Public Affairs, Canada. This position will work closely with the Senior Director to help lead the company's ongoing efforts to build and sustain meaningful relationships and collaborations to support the needs of patients and advance our company's goals. The role initially focusses on T1D and may assume responsibility for disease areas in our pipeline.

Job Responsibilities:

• Work hand in hand with the Senior Director, Public Affairs and Communications to help execute the company's patient advocacy strategy, including tactical implementation for T1D and other pipeline areas as appropriate
• Serve as liaison between the patient community and VRTX; develop relationships with patient advocacy groups at the national and local levels to achieve Vertex goals, bring value to patients and enhance the Company's standing and reputation
• Collaborate with Market Access and Regional PA Associate Directors of Public Affairs to identify barriers to access for T1D; represent the perspective of the patient community in this work
• Develop programming within T1D in partnership with the patient community on the patient community's agenda
• Ensure all activities are in line with legal and regulatory standards, as well as company policies and procedures, and adhere to Vertex's standards of Integrity and Ethics
• Attend all events and conferences working to build long-term, sustainable relationships with not only T1D patient groups but also other pipeline communities

Job Requirements:

• Deep understanding of health decision-making and both national and local/regional access processes in Canada
• Demonstrated experience an appropriate partner to both the patient community and the Grants and Donations committee in effective and compliant management of the grants and donations process
• Accurate financial management of allocated budgets
• Ensure timely, appropriate, and legally approved communications strategies
• In partnership with communications team, integrate Vertex's communications objectives with the patient advocacy strategy and identify additional communications opportunities where appropriate
• Fulfilling other duties/projects as assigned

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required
• 5+ years current and relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry, or equivalent combination of education and experience

• English (fluent) and French (working knowledge highly desired)

Qualifications:

• Demonstrates strengths in strategic planning, communication and presentation skills.
• Pharmaceutical sector or non-profit sector and therapeutic area experience required
• Ability to navigate seamlessly in a matrixed environment, able to work in situations with levels of ambiguity with independence
• A high level of energy and passion toward patients, science and public health
• Knowledge of the patient advocacy community/individuals in T1D and rare diseases preferred
• Proven teamwork and collaboration skills, with a demonstrated ability to interact and influence all levels of business
• Detail-oriented, self-initiating, well-organized and capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously
• A desire to work in the corporate culture of a highly innovative company aimed at redefining health and transforming lives with new medicines
• Ability to travel up to 40-50%

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.

Please note that Vertex requires COVID-19 vaccination for all employees working in the U.S. as a condition of employment at Vertex, subject to medical, religious or other accommodations or exemptions required by law. We believe this requirement is vital to keeping everyone at Vertex and in our communities safe. This requirement applies to both existing and new employees who may at any time work on-site at a Vertex facility or visit another location on behalf of Vertex (e.g., conferences, customer visits, etc.), including all remote employees. 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.