Sales Planning and Field Effectiveness, Associate Director

Job Description

General Summary

As the Sales Planning and Field Effectiveness, Associate Director you will be responsible for the administration, execution, and delivery of incentive compensation, targeting, sales planning, and field effectiveness. This role partners closely with business unit leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to translate brand strategy into practical field execution solutions that improve commercial performance.

This position requires a hands-on leader with expertise in pharmaceutical incentive compensation, targeting strategy, sales operations, analytics, and data management. The role supports targeting prioritization, incentive plan design & delivery, performance monitoring, and process improvement to help maximize sales force productivity, customer engagement, and execution quality.

This is a hybrid role based in Boston, with a minimum in-office requirement of 3 days per week. Candidates must live in the area.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead incentive compensation plan design and manage key IC processes including goal setting, data processing, scorecards, leadership reviews, and payout files.
• Support the development and execution of IC contests and awards programs that reinforce business goals and field engagement.
• Support targeting and call planning by using brand strategy, customer data, and field insights to improve prioritization and execution.
• Partner with internal teams to ensure accurate customer data, targeting updates, reporting, and performance tracking.
• Support field alignment, territory mapping, and workload planning to support new product launches, field changes, and ongoing business needs as required.
• Maintain IC and targeting processes, timelines, and documentation to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant delivery, and provide education to stakeholders and field teams as needed.
• Develop and maintain SOPs and KPIs to drive accuracy, on-time delivery, and compliance across commercial operations processes.
• Collaborate with internal teams and stakeholders including IT, Data Management, CRM, I&A, Sales Leadership, and external vendors to ensure high-quality operational execution and ongoing support.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Strong expertise in pharmaceutical incentive compensation design, operations, and delivery.
• Deep knowledge of pharmaceutical sales data sources and data suppliers across retail, institutional, and customer datasets.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate insights into actionable business recommendations.
• Excellent communication, presentation, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external vendors to effectively deliver high quality work.
• Familiarity with commercial operations tools, CRM platforms, incentive compensation systems, and performance reporting tools.
• Strong understanding of the life sciences industry.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; degree focus in business, life sciences, analytics, or a related field preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in commercial operations, sales operations, data management, analytics, or related functions.
• 5+ years of direct experience in pharmaceutical Incentive Compensation design and delivery.

At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision-making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.

Pay Range:

Disclosure Statement:

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.

At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

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.

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