At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead Continuous Improvement initiatives and manage cross-functional projects in a dynamic biotech environment.
- Company: Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a global leader in transformative medicines.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team focused on innovation and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while developing your project management skills.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field and experience in CI programs preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Type of Role: Contract position, Inside IR35
Contract length: 12 months
Location: Hybrid, 3 days on site in Paddington, London.
Department: Distribution & Market Quality
This position reports directly to: Director CIPM
Looking for opportunities with purpose, impact and possibilities? Our client, Vertex, is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation. As they grow their pipeline at pace, they are strengthening their reputation for creating transformative medicines for people with serious diseases.
Position Summary:
The CIPM Manager is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the portfolio of Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives and projects across Distribution and Market Quality (DMQ). The role establishes governance and reporting cadences to ensure initiatives are progressing to plan, proactively identifies and escalates risks and issues, and works with cross-functional stakeholders to remove roadblocks and resolve dependencies. The CIPM Manager may act as project manager for selected, higher-risk or cross-functional initiatives, and partners with Quality/DMQ and data owners to develop and monitor leading metrics and predictive indicators that enable proactive decision-making and sustained performance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee the portfolio of Continuous Improvement (CI) initiatives and projects across Distribution and Market Quality (DMQ), ensuring scope, milestones, dependencies, risks and deliverables are defined, tracked and progressing to plan.
- Establish and run project governance (e.g., regular status reviews, action tracking, decision logs and stakeholder updates) and provide clear, concise reporting to Quality Leadership Teams and senior stakeholders on progress, risks and required decisions.
- Identify, escalate and help remove obstacles to delivery (resourcing, data availability, process gaps, cross-functional dependencies), partnering with functional leaders to drive timely resolution and maintain momentum.
- Act as project manager for selected CI initiatives when required (e.g., higher-risk or cross-functional efforts), applying fit-for-purpose PM tools to manage scope, schedule, budget and communications.
- Standardise and continuously improve CI project execution practices (charters, RACI, RAID logs, tollgates, lessons learned), coaching teams to apply problem-solving and risk-based approaches consistently.
- Facilitate end-to-end process mapping and root-cause/problem-solving sessions to identify improvement opportunities, and support leaders in prioritising initiatives based on risk, compliance impact and value.
- Partner with DMQ/Quality and data owners to define, develop and monitor leading metrics and predictive indicators; build dashboards and insights that enable proactive risk identification, trend management and decision-making.
- Own the action tracking for DMQ and CI KPI/metric trends, ensuring mitigation plans are defined, resourced, executed and closed, with clear documentation of outcomes and sustained performance.
- Coordinate cross-functionally (e.g., Supply Chain/CMC, Regulatory, International teams) to align CI roadmaps, clarify ownership and manage interdependencies so DMQ commitments are integrated into broader business initiatives.
- Support DMQ programmes such as geographic expansion, product launches and distribution model changes by ensuring CI/Quality actions are built into integrated plans, monitored through execution and delivered to commitment.
- Support CI portfolio prioritisation, resourcing and scheduling in partnership with DMQ leaders; manage and facilitate key governance forums (e.g., monthly reviews) to enable decision-making and sustained delivery.
Qualifications/Knowledge/Skills:
- Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or allied health field.
- Experience or qualifications in managing CI programs in a regulated pharma industry, GDP experience highly desirable.
- Good understanding of ICH Q9 and the ability to apply risk-based approaches to lead and development of efficient solutions that balance compliance and business requirements.
- Ability to proactively identify risk and develop mitigation strategies.
- Ability to collaborate cross functionally with good communication skills and the ability to influence others by leveraging active listening and deliver articulate and convincing ideas.
- Ability to align and adjust activities within one’s scope of ownership to positively embrace change and support business growth and process improvements.
- Demonstrates ability to effectively communicate to one’s team, local, international and global audiences, with integrity.
- Ability to leverage critical and strategic thinking to determine and mitigate complex challenges and impact.
- Ability to apply business acumen, and leadership skills; across all relevant aspects of one’s role; skilled at time and resource management.
Vertex is partnering with Talent Works to manage their international temporary job openings. If you are successful in your application, you will be employed by Talent Works to work on a temporary assignment at Vertex.
Continuous Improvement & Program Management Manager, 12-month contract in Slough employer: Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking to make a meaningful impact in the biotechnology sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, you will have access to numerous growth opportunities while working in a hybrid environment in the vibrant Paddington area of London, where you can enjoy both the dynamic city life and the flexibility of remote work. Join us to be part of a team that is dedicated to transforming lives through science and improving patient outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Continuous Improvement & Program Management Manager, 12-month contract in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Tailor your answers to show how your skills align with their goals, especially in Continuous Improvement and Program Management.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You should be able to explain your experience and how it relates to the role in a clear and engaging way. Keep it concise but impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing familiar faces!
We think you need these skills to ace Continuous Improvement & Program Management Manager, 12-month contract in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Continuous Improvement & Program Management Manager role. Highlight relevant projects and achievements that showcase your ability to manage CI initiatives effectively.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're passionate about this role at Vertex. Share specific examples of how you've successfully led CI projects in the past and how you can bring value to the team.
Showcase Your Communication Skills:Since this role involves collaborating with cross-functional teams, emphasise your communication skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've influenced stakeholders and resolved conflicts in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. This way, we can ensure your application gets the attention it deserves and you can easily track your progress!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vertex Pharmaceuticals
✨Know Your CI Fundamentals
Brush up on your Continuous Improvement principles and methodologies. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles, especially in regulated environments like pharmaceuticals. This will show that you understand the core of what the role entails.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Scenarios
Since the role involves collaboration across various departments, think of examples where you've successfully worked with different teams. Prepare to share specific instances where you identified risks and resolved issues, showcasing your problem-solving skills.
✨Master the Metrics
Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to Continuous Improvement. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve developed or monitored metrics in previous roles, and how they contributed to project success. This will demonstrate your analytical skills and proactive approach.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Effective communication is crucial in this role. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Think about how you can influence stakeholders and present ideas convincingly, as this will be a key part of your responsibilities.
