Senior Director, US Patient Support Affordability Strategy & Programs

Job Description

The Senior Director, US Patient Support Programs (PSP), Affordability Programs will provide strategic and operational leadership for affordability programs designed to help eligible patients access Vertex therapies. This role will lead the development, implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of patient affordability offerings, including copay assistance, patient assistance programs (PAP/free drug), Bridge, Quick Start, and other access-support programs.

This leader will establish a scalable operating model for affordability programs; build and develop a high-performing team; and ensure programs are delivered with a consistent focus on patient experience, operational excellence, appropriate governance, and compliance. The Senior Director will work closely with cross-functional partners and external affordability and patient support vendors to identify access barriers, improve program performance, and advance Vertex’s commitment to patients.

This leader will report to the Executive Director of the US Patient Support Center of Excellence/Enterprise Operations.

Work Model: Hybrid or On-site

 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the US Patient Support affordability strategy, including program objectives, operating model, performance measures, and long-term roadmap.

• Lead the design, implementation, and optimization of affordability offerings, including copay, patient assistance, free-drug, bridge, and other patient access programs.

• Establish program governance, policies, procedures, decision rights, and escalation processes that support consistent and effective program execution across PSP programs and vendors.

• Build, lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team responsible for affordability strategy, operations, forecasting, analytics, and program performance.

• Partner with Patient Support, Market Access (e.g., Government Pricing, Gross-to-Net teams), Commercial Analytics, Finance, Legal, Office of Business Integrity and Ethics (OBIE), and other stakeholders to align affordability programs with business objectives and patient needs.

• Oversee external affordability and patient support vendors, including operational performance, service quality, issue resolution, governance routines, and adherence to program requirements.

• In collaboration with the PSP Insights & Analytics Senior Director, define and monitor vendor performance standards, key performance indicators, service-level expectations, and improvement plans.

• Ensure vendors are appropriately trained on program requirements, processes, patient experience expectations, and applicable compliance standards.

• Lead affordability program analytics and reporting, using data and performance insights to identify trends, access barriers, opportunities, and risks.

• Own and approve PSP Policies, Standard Operating Procedures, and Work Instructions related to PSP Affordability Programs.

• Develop executive-ready reporting and communications that convey program performance, financial considerations, patient-access outcomes, and strategic recommendations.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen patient and provider experiences, operational efficiency, program scalability, and service quality.

• Partner with internal stakeholders to support affordability-related financial planning, forecasting, and oversight.

• Identify and mitigate operational, compliance, and reputational risks associated with affordability program design and administration.

• Champion a patient-centered culture that balances access, experience, operational rigor, and responsible program management.

• Represent US Patient Support Affordability Programs in cross-functional leadership forums and strategic planning activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, healthcare administration, finance, life sciences, public health, or a related field.

• 12+ years of progressive experience in patient support, affordability programming, healthcare operations, market access, specialty pharmacy, hub services, or a related healthcare/pharmaceutical environment
• 7+ years of leadership experience, including leading teams and/or complex programs with significant cross-functional and external vendor coordination. 
• Demonstrated experience leading affordability programs, such as copay assistance, patient assistance, free-drug, bridge, and/or other access-support offerings.

• Direct experience managing copay programs and understanding key affordability program operational requirements, including managing affordability solution vendors.

• Strong people-leadership experience, including building, leading, and developing teams and direct reports.

• Experience managing external vendors, service providers, and/or patient support partners.

• Strong understanding of the US patient access landscape, including reimbursement, affordability barriers, applicable US payer policies, patient support operations, and access-related considerations.

• Demonstrated ability to challenge the status quo, develop strategy, and translate it into scalable operating plans, processes, performance measures, and results.

• Experience using analytics, metrics, and performance insights to improve operations and inform strategic decisions.

• Strong cross-functional leadership skills and the ability to influence stakeholders across a complex organization.

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills.

• Demonstrated judgment, accountability, and a commitment to compliant, patient-centered program delivery.

Technical Skills Required

• Affordability strategy and program operations

• Copay assistance program management

• Patient assistance, free-drug, and bridge program oversight

• Patient support operations

• Vendor management and vendor governance

• Service-level management and performance monitoring

• Affordability analytics, reporting, and dashboard development

• Key performance indicator development and performance measurement

• Financial planning, forecasting, and program oversight

• Governance, process design, and operational excellence

• Cross-functional stakeholder management

• Continuous improvement and issue-resolution methodologies

• Understanding of compliance considerations relevant to patient support and affordability programs

• Microsoft Office Suite, including PowerPoint and Excel

 

Preferred Skills

• Advanced degree, such as an MBA, MPH, PharmD, or related graduate degree.

• Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, specialty pharmacy, rare disease, or complex patient-support environments.

• Experience building, scaling, or transforming affordability and patient support programs.

• Experience leading external hub, contact center, specialty pharmacy, or patient-support service partners.

• Experience with program financial modeling, budget management, and affordability forecasting.

• Deep professional network within the US PSP affordability space and knowledge of upcoming/trending solutions

• Strong organizational design and change-management capabilities.

• Experience developing patient-access strategies for therapies requiring complex reimbursement or affordability support.

• Lean, Six Sigma, project management, or operational excellence certification.

 

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:

$216,000 - $324,000

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 ApplicationAssistance@vrtx.com