External Innovation Executive Director

External Innovation Executive DirectorThe 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:PhD (or equivalent advanced degree) and 15+ years of biotech/pharma experience spanning discovery and/or early development; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.Required Experience:Breadth across multiple therapeutic areas and modalities with a track record of leading complex evaluations from scouting through governance decision.Demonstrated success influencing executive-level decisions (BDSC/EC or equivalent) with crisp, quantitative, and evidence-based recommendations.Proven ability to build and manage high-performing analyst teams and to operate an integrated analysis model.Required Knowledge & Skills:Scientific depth + learning agility: Rapidly master novel mechanisms, disease biology, and platform technologies; challenge assumptions using causal biology thinking and translational rigor.Business acumen: Valuation literacy; option value framing; scenario and risk modeling; ability to articulate value drivers and deal concepts (from partnerships to company creation/M&A).Program & portfolio judgment: Gap/risk assessment vs. strategy; sandbox criteria application; sensitivity to manufacturability, regulatory path, and global market feasibility.Influential communication: Executive-quality narratives and visuals; clear storyline from problem framing to recommendation; ability to lead with facts and secure alignment.Stakeholder leadership: Credible engagement with VCs, KOLs, and external partners; strong internal partnership with Transactions and Alliance Management for execution continuity.Operating discipline: Drive throughput with a scrum-like resource model; set standards, templates, and review cadences to improve decision speed and quality.