Director, Oxford Research Technology

TL;DR

Director, Oxford Research Technology (Enterprise Laboratory Technology): Lead architecture, delivery, security, support, and continuous evolution of enterprise laboratory technology platforms across Oxford with an accent on GxP/SOX operational excellence, risk management, and financial stewardship. Focus on serving as the single accountable Research Site Partner and acting as a product owner to shape ambiguous scientist requirements into prioritized cross-functional platform backlogs.

Company

Vertex is a global biotechnology company investing in scientific innovation.

What you will do

• Lead a Lab Engineering Support organization and ensure stable, secure, and compliant laboratory technology operations across IT and OT environments.
• Own and manage the Oxford site’s operating budget, including planning, forecasting, vendor management, and value realization.
• Oversee a portfolio of programs, projects, platform releases, and enhancements delivered at the site, ensuring quality, timeliness, and alignment with business outcomes.
• Serve as the single accountable owner for technology adoption, change, and the DTE relationship at Oxford, acting as the site’s product owner.
• Capture requirements and user stories from scientists, shape and prioritize demand, and route it to the correct platform owners instead of site stakeholders engaging each platform team directly.
• Drive local adoption and change management, represent Oxford’s voice in cross-site prioritization forums, and maintain a transparent view of demand status and backlog.

Requirements

• Senior-level stakeholder partnership experience and ability to operate effectively in a matrixed accountability model.
• Deep understanding of enterprise technology operations, cyber security, ITSM/ITIL, and system lifecycle practices.
• Proven people leadership experience building and sustaining high-performing teams.
• Experience managing enterprise-scale technology platforms and support organizations.
• Program/portfolio/demand and financial management experience, including vendor ecosystems with budget accountability.
• Experience translating ambiguous stakeholder input into structured, prioritized backlog items (e.g., product owner or demand-shaping role).

Culture & Benefits

• Hybrid-eligible role: choose Hybrid (work remotely up to two days per week) or On-Site (work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility).
• Accountability in highly regulated GxP and SOX environments with a focus on operational excellence and risk management.
• People-management responsibility for assigned staff.
• Flex designation is subject to Vertex’s Flex @ Vertex Program policy and may change.

Hiring process

• Interviews with relevant stakeholders to assess leadership, stakeholder partnership, and regulated-environment technology operations experience.
• Evaluation of ability to shape demand and manage budgets, programs, and platform releases.