Meetings & Events Associate Director

This role will drive the delivery of the Global Meetings and Events and Corporate Services strategy by overseeing preferred meeting vendor performance and implementation to ensure diligent and compliant service and execution to Vertex, process excellence & project management across Corp Services while fostering strong relationships with global teams and suppliers. This role is expected to identify, evaluate, and deliver solutions that align with Vertex’s mission and meets the current and future business needs on a global scale. This role will simultaneously establish the operational governance and ways of working that enable consistent, compliant and scalable meetings delivery.

The ideal candidate will exemplify role model behaviour, setting a standard for excellence and collaboration across diverse, cross-functional internal and external teams, demonstrate strategic problem-solving, embody interpersonal skills with a global point of view, and appreciation for diversity to be part of a high-performing team.

• Advanced project management skills managing multiple projects, and processes within Corporate Services across the globe.
• Lead agency management supporting delivery, ensuring quality, compliance, consistency, and value. Update processes for efficiency and provide training internally and externally to support Global Meetings & Events goals and requirements.
• Establish clear service standards and expectations for agency partners whilst monitoring their success and supporting improvement. Act as an escalation point for challenges and supplier issues.
• Supports Corporate Services leadership to develop processes and templates, coordinate resources, and implement to team members to enable repeatable and scalable successful delivery.
• Advanced meeting planning skills to plan and oversee preferred logistics agencies to deliver complex and high-touch large meetings.
• Consult, guide, and support team members, vendors, and Business Owners through complex logistical planning, adherence to HCP compliance and transfer of value, meeting best practices and strategy, collaboration with cross functional teams, and expectation of deliverables.
• Identify and resolve day-to-day and complex matters related to cross-functional processes and vendor management operations.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with Business Owners and Business Partners and consult on goals & objectives to provide strategic support solutions when working with Corporate Services.
• Identify and analyze data trends and prepare summary and data visualizations to support decision-making and process improvements.
• Help identify opportunities for harmonization and efficiency across regions based on data and observed patterns.
• Stay up to date on industry trends across Corporate Services initiatives and technology to understand, learn, and implement continuous improvements and a high standard of excellence across the team.
• Ensure disciplined use of meeting technology platforms, user governance and process adherence.
• Vigilant individual and team adherence to internal & HCP compliance, transparency rules and reporting, and GDPR requirements.
• Ability to travel domestically and globally at least 30-40% of time.

• Bachelor’s Degree

• 10+ years of meeting & event planning or Corporate Services experience
• Previous Pharmaceutical Experience a plus
• Advanced supplier/vendor management experience

• Advanced meeting planning experience and/or project management.
• Highly developed organization and time management skills, ability to simultaneously keep multiple projects prioritized with multiple stakeholders and vendors.
• Proven leadership skills and experience being part of a team with ability to coach and act as a mentor to team members.
• Proven ability to independently lead high visibility strategic projects and translate strategies into defined resource needs, tactics and metrics to achieve results.
• Superior RFP and contract negotiations skills with proven ability to guide negotiations of vendor contracts, securing the best possible terms to provide Vertex with the most flexibility, superior service, financial security, and cost saving opportunities.
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills, comfortable in group and individual presentations across all levels of the organization. Ability to interface with internal and external C-Level Suite while conducting Business Review Meetings.
• Enhanced knowledge of HCP Compliance regulations and ability to apply critical thinking to identify and escalate compliance risks to the Office of Business Integrity & Ethics while adhering to and implementing guidelines and monitoring team adherence.
• Flexibility and ability to successfully navigate ambiguity and succeed in a rapidly changing, fast-paced, deadline-driven environment with multiple priorities.
• Analytical mindset with ability to glean insights from data, make strategic recommendations, streamline processes, and communicate in a compelling, visual way.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with proven ability to build relationships across all levels within a highly matrixed organization.
• A desire to be part of a highly innovative company aimed at transforming the lives of people with serious diseases, their families and society.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite.
• Prior working knowledge of Cvent Event Management software program.
• CMP and or CMM Certification (a plus but not required)
• Experience with project manager responsibilities or vendor management.

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, colour, 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.