New Product Planning & Commercialization Director

Job Description

General Summary:

We are seeking an experienced and strategic professional to lead commercial planning and readiness for our pipeline assets in Canada. In this role, you will generate strategic insights to shape asset development and ensure Canadian market needs are integrated early into global and regional strategies, in close partnership with Global Commercial Teams. You will also work collaboratively with Market Access and Public Affairs to assess payer and political landscapes and drive market access preparedness.

Key Duties And Responsibilities:

• Pipeline & Asset Strategy
• Act as the Canadian commercial lead on pipeline assets from early stages to business unit development.
• Collaborate with local Market Access team to provide strategic input into global and regional development plans to reflect Canadian market access, reimbursement, and customer needs.
• Lead local asset strategy development, including Target Product Profile (TPP) alignment and value proposition planning.
• Market & Competitive Insights
• Develop and maintain deep understanding of therapeutic area landscapes, treatment paradigms, unmet needs, and competitive dynamics.
• Design and execute market research and advisory boards to inform product strategy.
• Collaborate with global partners for Canadian evidence generation including burden of illness and epidemiology understanding
• Commercial Readiness & Launch Planning
• Lead Canadian cross-functional pre-launch planning activities, ensuring operational readiness and alignment with global launch strategies.
• Partner with Market Access, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, and other functions to develop integrated launch plans.
• Identify key risks and opportunities to optimize launch success.
• Business Case & Forecasting
• Collaborate with global and Canadian finance to build revenue forecasts and business cases to inform strategic decisions.
• Evaluate pipeline opportunities and lifecycle management options for business impact.
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Facilitate cross-functional asset teams to ensure coordination of insights, strategy, and operational plans.
• Represent Canada in global NPP, commercial, and pipeline meetings as the voice of Canadian market needs.
• Strategic Projects
• Lead ad hoc strategic initiatives, including in-licensing evaluations, portfolio prioritization, and external partnership assessments.
• Act as the Canadian commercial lead on pipeline assets from early stages to business unit development.
• Collaborate with local Market Access team to provide strategic input into global and regional development plans to reflect Canadian market access, reimbursement, and customer needs.
• Lead local asset strategy development, including Target Product Profile (TPP) alignment and value proposition planning.
• Develop and maintain deep understanding of therapeutic area landscapes, treatment paradigms, unmet needs, and competitive dynamics.
• Design and execute market research and advisory boards to inform product strategy.
• Collaborate with global partners for Canadian evidence generation including burden of illness and epidemiology understanding
• Lead Canadian cross-functional pre-launch planning activities, ensuring operational readiness and alignment with global launch strategies.
• Partner with Market Access, Medical Affairs, Regulatory, and other functions to develop integrated launch plans.
• Identify key risks and opportunities to optimize launch success.
• Collaborate with global and Canadian finance to build revenue forecasts and business cases to inform strategic decisions.
• Evaluate pipeline opportunities and lifecycle management options for business impact.
• Facilitate cross-functional asset teams to ensure coordination of insights, strategy, and operational plans.
• Represent Canada in global NPP, commercial, and pipeline meetings as the voice of Canadian market needs.
• Lead ad hoc strategic initiatives, including in-licensing evaluations, portfolio prioritization, and external partnership assessments.

Education And Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Business, or related field required. Advanced degree (MBA, MSc, PhD, PharmD) an asset.
• Minimum 10+ years in biotech/pharma with at least 3 years in new product planning, pipeline strategy
• Experience in rare disease or specialty markets.

Skills Required:

• Proven track record of commercial readiness planning and pre-launch strategy development in Canada.
• Strategic thinker with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and influencing abilities.
• Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Ability to thrive in ambiguity and fast-paced, evolving environments.
• A solid compliance mindset and demonstrated integrity on the job. 

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