Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Job Description

Vertex is seeking a Director, Medicinal Chemistry to provide people management and strategic leadership for small-molecule discovery programs and to help advance compounds from early discovery through candidate selection. This role is responsible for defining and executing medicinal chemistry strategy, leading compound design and optimization, and advancing programs through close partnership with cross-functional teams. The successful candidate will manage a team and bring deep scientific expertise, strong leadership capabilities, and a proven track record of advancing discovery-stage programs in a fast-paced research environment. This is an on-site role.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead medicinal chemistry strategy for small-molecule discovery programs aligned with portfolio and project objectives.
• Drive compound design, synthesis, and optimization to advance high-quality development candidates.
• Guide SAR strategy and data-driven decision-making to support candidate selection.
• Partner closely with biology, DMPK, toxicology, and pharmaceutical sciences to advance program goals.
• Integrate developability, drug property, and translational considerations into chemistry strategy.
• Provide scientific leadership, mentorship, and development support to chemistry team members.
• Manage external collaborators and contribute to productive research partnerships.
• Communicate program strategy, data, risks, and recommendations to senior leadership and governance teams.
• Support intellectual property strategy in partnership with internal stakeholders.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Medicinal chemistry
• Organic synthesis
• Small-molecule drug discovery
• Lead optimization
• SAR analysis
• Compound design
• Candidate selection
• DMPK/ADME collaboration
• Drug property optimization
• Patent support

Education and Experience:

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or related scientific discipline with 9+ years of relevant postdoctoral industry experience; Master’s degree with 12+ years of relevant industry experience; or Bachelor’s degree with 15+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Significant experience in medicinal chemistry and small molecule-drug discovery.
• Demonstrated success advancing discovery programs through candidate selection.
• Experience leading cross-functional and multidisciplinary teams including in matrixed settings.
• Proven ability to mentor scientists and provide strategic scientific leadership.
• Strong communication, strategic thinking, decision-making, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.

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Pay Range:

Disclosure Statement:

Flex Designation:

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this On-Site designated role, you will 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.

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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