Associate Director, International Headquarters and Distributor Markets Compliance Business Partner OBIE

Job Description

Vertex Pharmaceuticals Europe Ltd. is seeking an experienced Compliance professional to join its Office of Business Integrity & Ethics (OBIE) as Associate Director, International Headquarters and Distributor Markets (IHQ & DM) Business Partner (BP).  

OBIE is responsible for the development, implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of Vertex's Global Compliance program. This includes defining standards via policies and procedures, creating and implementing training and communications, conducting auditing and monitoring and other assurance activities, facilitating internal reporting, discretely and professionally conducting Compliance-related investigations, and keeping the CEO, the Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors informed on Compliance matters. OBIE serves as the go-to experts for Vertex employees and external stakeholders on issues relating to Vertex's Compliance program and Code of Conduct globally.

Job Description

The International Headquarters and Distributor Markets (IHQ & DM) Compliance Business Partner (BP) is a hybrid role that serves as the primary point of contact for the International business functions and colleagues across the Vertex IHQ and Distributor Markets in our London headquarters, including Commercial, Medical, Pricing & Market Access, Regulatory, Real World Evidence, Communications, and G&A functions for our existing cystic fibrosis and hematology business as well as supporting assets currently in our investigational pipeline. The Associate Director, IHQ & DM Business Partner reports to and works closely with the Director, Northern Europe, Australia, Distributor Markets OBIE BP in implementing and continuously improving the Global Compliance program in International.

The IHQ & DM Compliance BP will work closely with Regional and Global OBIE Business Partners, the OBIE Strategy & Operations team, and the Chief Compliance Officer in enhancing and implementing our Global Compliance program and will provide daily support to our business colleagues to ensure effective implementation and understanding.  The IHQ & DM Compliance BP must have deep knowledge of pharmaceutical industry regulations, applicable local codes, and anti-bribery/anti-corruption laws and extensive experience working for biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies on these issues.  Additionally, the IHQ & DM Compliance BP will work collaboratively and strategically with colleagues in OBIE, Legal, and the business to drive a culture of ethics and integrity across Vertex's global organization. The successful candidate will be expected to demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit and high level of autonomy, relentless drive, and the ability to self-identify goals & objectives for their scope of responsibilities.

If you thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, hands-on, and team-oriented environment where you can have a big impact on the organization, we'd love to speak with you

Key Responsibilities

• Based as a hybrid role in our IHQ in Paddington, serve as the point of contact for IHQ & DM business colleagues seeking strategic and tactical guidance on matters of Compliance, integrity, and ethics.
• Educate business leaders on risk identification, management, and mitigation.
• Provide Compliance oversight, guidance, and direction for IHQ & DM business colleagues and identify areas where Compliance input and attention is required.
• Serve as the Compliance representative on leadership and cross-functional teams, providing strategic and tactical guidance and advice on projects and initiatives to drive fact- and risk-based decision making.
• Collaborate with the OBIE Training and Communications team on substantive trainings and regular communications on Compliance policies, procedures, and areas of risk.
• Manage projects aiming to implement and optimize Global Compliance initiatives across International.
• Help establish standards and implement risk frameworks to ensure the Compliance program is effective and efficient.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive fact- and risk-based decision making.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships and collaborate frequently with Legal, Human Resources, Internal Audit, and colleagues in other functional areas both in and outside of the IHQ scope of responsibilities.
• Maintain a high level of knowledge of current and emerging laws, regulations, codes, and recent enforcement actions and inform and educate business colleagues with tailored communications.
• Support continuous improvement of the Compliance program.

Skills/Abilities/Competencies

• Excellent project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Self-starter with demonstrated leadership skills and ability to meet goals given limited supervision; able to exercise sound judgment in balancing risks in ambiguous and complex situations and escalating matters appropriately.
• Ability to navigate organization matrix and hierarchy and provide timely, pragmatic, and risk-savvy guidance to senior business leaders.
• Consummate team player with excellent judgment and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to analyze complex information effectively and synthesize across multiple workstreams and teams.
• Demonstrated experience taking ownership of issues and providing timely, actionable guidance.
• Strong oral and written communication and influencing skills and the ability to collaborate cross-functionally proactively and pragmatically.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated superior ability to identify areas for improvement in controls, systems, and processes and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to work with large amounts of data to analyze information while still seeing the "big picture".
• Confidence and professionalism to handle difficult conversations and discretion on sensitive matters.
• Experience leading and managing cross-functional projects and initiatives in relation to company policies, procedures, and processes.
• Experience in managing dotted-line reporting / matrixed project groups.  

Minimum Qualifications

• Proven experience working for or in the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry, with at least 3-5 years in-house.
• It is essential to have demonstrated experience working in a multi-jurisdiction and cross-cultural environment.
• Demonstrated experience in implementing Compliance programs across matrixed global organizations.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, and codes relating to healthcare fraud and abuse and regulated pharmaceutical products, specifically anti-bribery/anti-corruption laws and pharmaceutical regulations and guidance.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to compliance, ethics, and accountability.
• Flexibility to work in a fast paced and dynamic work environment with a strong work ethic and positive attitude.
• Ability to travel approximately 10% of time.
• Proficiency in MS Office (especially PPT & Excel).
• English language fluency.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Law degree and/or Compliance professional certifications and experience at a large, global pharmaceutical company preferred.

Flex Designation:

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