Director – Financial Planning & Analysis - R&D

Job Description

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology leader committed to scientific innovation and the development of transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. Our finance function is a strategic enabler of Vertex's mission — providing the insights, rigor, and partnership that drive high-quality decisions across the enterprise.

This is a high-visibility, high-impact role at the frontier of science and finance — where your work directly shapes how Vertex invests in advancing its pipeline from target identification through candidate nomination and beyond.

We are seeking a strategic finance leader to serve as Director, R&D Finance, acting as the primary finance partner to the Discovery Research and Preclinical Sciences functions. Reporting to the VP of R&D Finance and managing 2 direct reports, this role leads financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and investment decision support across early-stage research portfolios.

The Director will work closely with senior scientific and operational stakeholders to translate research priorities into driver-based financial insights, multi-scenario planning, disciplined resource allocation, and strong financial governance. Success in this role requires not only exceptional financial acumen, but also intellectual curiosity about the science — enabling truly impactful partnership with research leaders navigating the inherent complexity and ambiguity of early-stage drug discovery.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partnership

• Serve as the trusted finance business partner to VP- and SVP+ leaders across Discovery Research and Preclinical Sciences, influencing strategy and investment decisions without direct authority.
• Partner with scientific and operational leaders to identify risks, opportunities, and investment tradeoffs; recommend actions grounded in data-driven insights and portfolio prioritization.
• Provide financial analysis and decision support for headcount planning, external research collaborations, CRO/vendor spend, lab operations, capital equipment, and compound progression decisions.
• Support stage-gate and portfolio review processes by delivering financial scenario modeling for candidate advancement, termination, or reprioritization decisions — translating scientific milestones into clear financial implications.
• Partner with Alliance Management and Business Development on the financial implications of research collaborations, licensing agreements, and academic partnerships, ensuring financial risks and obligations are clearly understood.
• Develop a working understanding of drug discovery and preclinical development processes to provide contextually relevant, scientifically informed financial guidance to research partners.

Planning, Forecasting and Reporting

• Lead all planning cycles including annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, monthly outlooks, and long-range planning for Discovery and Preclinical Sciences — ensuring alignment with pipeline strategy and corporate financial targets.
• Build and maintain driver-based financial models including FTE capacity models, external spend trackers, and program-level cost models that translate research activity into actionable planning assumptions and investment decisions.
• Develop multi-scenario financial models to support pipeline investment decisions, candidate progression tradeoffs, and resource prioritization at the executive level.
• Deliver timely and insightful reporting including variance analysis, trend analysis, and executive-level business commentary tailored to scientific leadership and the VP of R&D Finance.
• Develop KPIs, dashboards, and reporting tools that improve financial transparency and visibility into research spend allocation, portfolio investment mix, and pipeline progression costs.
• Maintain robust tracking of research program costs including internal FTE allocation, external CRO/vendor spend, and collaboration agreement financials.

AI, Digital & Finance Transformation

• Champion the adoption of AI-enabled FP&A tools (e.g.Power BI, or equivalent) to enhance scenario modeling, planning agility, and forecasting accuracy across early-stage research portfolios.
• Lead automation and digital transformation initiatives within the R&D Finance team, reducing manual effort, improving cycle time, and scaling finance operations to match the pace of the research enterprise.
• Leverage advanced analytics and data visualization to surface insights, identify spend trends, and deliver forward-looking financial intelligence to scientific and operational business partners.
• Build a culture of digital fluency within the team, coaching direct reports on the use of modern finance tools, AI-enabled productivity, and scalable process design.

Finance Operations and Controls

• Partner with Accounting and Controllership on close activities, accruals, expense recognition, financial controls, and audit readiness for all Discovery and Preclinical cost centers.
• Ensure financial plans and business activities are aligned with company policies, accounting requirements (including R&D capitalization and expensing rules), and internal control expectations.
• Oversee financial tracking and reporting for research collaborations and agreements relevant to early-stage science, ensuring accuracy and compliance with contractual and accounting obligations.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with FP&A, Accounting, Procurement, HR, and business operations to drive integrated financial management across the research enterprise.

Leadership and Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop 2 direct reports building a high-performing team with strong analytical, business partnership, and digital finance capabilities.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive team culture that values intellectual curiosity, scientific literacy, continuous improvement, and a passion for impact.
• Manage competing priorities across multiple functions with distinct operating cadences and financial profiles, maintaining quality and stakeholder trust in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive finance experience, including FP&A, finance business partnering, or related roles; experience supporting R&D, research, or life sciences functions strongly preferred.
• Proven ability to build and maintain driver-based financial models — including FTE capacity models, program-level cost models, and CRO/vendor spend trackers — in a complex, high-growth environment.
• Demonstrated experience deploying AI-enabled tools and automation to improve planning accuracy, reduce cycle time, and scale finance operations.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex data into clear, executive-ready recommendations for scientific and operational stakeholders.
• Experience managing and developing direct reports in a matrixed organization.
• Strong executive communication and presentation skills; ability to influence VP- and SVP-level stakeholders including scientific leaders.
• Experience with ERP systems, planning tools (e.g., Anaplan, Pigment), dashboards, and data visualization platforms (e.g., Power BI, Tableau).
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, accruals, close processes, expense classification, R&D capitalization rules, and controllership practices.

Preferred Requirements

• MBA, CPA, or other advanced finance/accounting credential.
• Direct experience supporting Discovery Research, Preclinical Sciences, or early-stage R&D functions in a biopharma or life sciences company.
• Familiarity with stage-gate portfolio management, candidate nomination processes, and CRO/vendor contracting in a drug discovery context.
• Familiarity with integrated business planning (IBP) frameworks.
• Data literacy skills including SQL, Python (basic), or advanced Excel/Power Query for working with large, complex research datasets.
• Track record of leading or contributing to finance digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience partnering with Alliance Management or Business Development on research collaboration financials.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strategic business judgment with a collaborative leadership style and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, matrixed, and scientifically complex environment.
• Ability to connect business strategy, financial planning, accounting requirements, and operational execution into a coherent and actionable financial narrative for both finance and non-finance audiences.
• Forward-looking mindset and genuine passion for improving finance through automation, digital tools, and scalable, repeatable processes.
• Intellectual curiosity and scientific literacy — a genuine interest in understanding the drug discovery and preclinical development process to provide more impactful, contextually relevant financial partnership.
• Comfort navigating ambiguity and building structure and clarity in evolving, fast-scaling organizations where research priorities shift rapidly and financial models must adapt accordingly.
• Ability to manage competing priorities across multiple functions with distinct operating cadences and financial profiles, without sacrificing quality or stakeholder trust.
• Deep understanding of early-stage R&D financial dynamics including program-level cost tracking, FTE allocation, CRO/vendor management, and the financial implications of pipeline progression decisions.

At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.

Pay Range:

$182,400 - $273,600

Disclosure Statement:

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. 

#LI-Hybrid
 

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 [email protected]