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Vertex
Boston, Massachusetts · Hybrid

Patient Safety Senior Medical Director

Medical AffairsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$276k-$414k

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

General Summary

The Patient Safety Senior Medical Director will provide leadership for all safety and risk management activities for assigned products, pre- and/or post-approval.

This role will lead Risk Management activities, pre-, peri- and post-approval (as applicable) for assigned compound(s) and will provide relatively autonomous leadership of periodic (aggregate) safety report, signaling, labelling and DST activities for assigned compounds, as well as participate in individual case medical review.

This role will lead representation, as safety lead, on clinical teams/programs, regulatory filings and submissions and other intra and/or inter-departmental activities and initiatives, including process/SOP development, audits and inspections.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Represents department as medical safety lead on cross-functional study and program teams for assigned products and studies, providing expert input regarding safety matters and issues.

Conducts medical evaluation of relevant safety-related information from Toxicology, Non-Clinical studies, as well as Product Quality complaints, as needed, demonstrating solid judgment.

Participates in protocol development, specifically the monitoring and collection of safety information in clinical trial protocols, as well as statistical analysis plans.

Participates in the analysis of safety data from on-going and completed clinical trials and its presentation in Clinical Study Reports.

Provides strategic leadership in the content for periodic reports (DSUR, PSUR) for assigned products.

Reviews and provides medical content, as needed, for key study-related documents, e. g. IB, ICF, IDMC Charters.

Provides leadership in pre-, peri- and post-approval Risk Management activities and deliverables, including dRMP, RMPs and product safety labeling, as well as key regulatory engagements, such as Advisory Committee meetings, EU Pre-submission meetings, and Pre-NDA meetings

Participates in departmental development activities including SOP and Work Instructions development.

Provides guidance to staff regarding optimal practice regarding collection, evaluation and processing of adverse experience reports, from a medical perspective through leadership of Product Teams.

Provides timely and sound medical review of individual case safety reports from clinical trials or post-marketing sources.

As directed by a Disease-area Safety Head, perform due diligence from the perspective of Global Patient Safety for potential in-licensed compounds.

Provides Global Patient Safety function in Partner /Affiliate agreements and interactions, as needed.

As directed by a Disease-area Safety Head, serve as Chair of one or more Disease-area Safety Team(s) for assigned products, assuming primary responsibility for the conduct and deliverables of the Teams.

Participates in the regular review of safety data for assigned products for the identification of new safety signals, in accordance with Vertex signal detection practices.

Other activities as needed or as requested by GPS Management

Knowledge and Skills

  • Solid knowledge of GCP, ICH and Global regulations
  • Strong knowledge of current Benefit-Risk principles

Ability to Multi-task

Solid written and oral communication skills to communicate highly complex ideas and interact/negotiate with senior leaders

Solid independent judgment and decision-making skills, including the identification and communication of relevant safety-related issues or concerns to GPS Management in an appropriate and timely manner

  • Sound ability to communicate effectively in a matrix environment
  • Advanced knowledge of General Medicine
  • Advanced experience in the evaluation and interpretation of data

Advanced experience in safety reviews of AEs/SAEs, IBs, protocols, clinical study reports, informed consents, and other safety-related documents

Education and Experience

  • MD, DO or equivalent ex-US medical degree
  • Typically requires 7 years of experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience

Pay Range

$276,000 - $414,000

Disclosure Statement

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Flex Designation

Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible

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.

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

Key Responsibilities

The Senior Medical Director provides leadership for safety and risk management activities for assigned products throughout the pre- and post-approval lifecycle. This role represents the department on cross-functional teams, conducts medical evaluations of safety data, and ensures compliance with global regulatory requirements.

Requirements

Candidates must hold an MD, DO, or equivalent medical degree and typically possess at least 7 years of relevant experience. Strong knowledge of GCP, ICH regulations, and benefit-risk principles is required.

Qualifications

Education
Doctoral or professional degree (postgraduate degree)
Experience
5+ years of experience

Key Skills

Benefit-risk assessmentICH guidelinesData interpretationPharmacovigilance

Medical Affairs — Physician Career Context

The cost-of-living index for Massachusetts is 105.8 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$345k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $326k in an average-cost state. 63.2% of Massachusetts clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Vertex holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 80/100, 12 active listings.

Medical Affairs pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.7% vs. the prior quarter (through Sep 2026).

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Work-life snapshot

median 4.2this job 3.9
Better work-life than 40% of Medical Affairs listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 266 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Hybrid
  • Remote
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About Vertex

Software Development
King of Prussia, PA
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Annual bonus
Annual equity awards
Medical, dental, vision
Generous paid time off
Week-long company shutdown in Summer and Winter
Educational assistance including student loan repayment
Commuting subsidy
Matching charitable donations