Spring 2027 Co-op, Global Regulatory Affairs – Strategy and Operations
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Summary
The Vertex Global Regulatory Affairs – Strategy and Operations Co-Op is a 6-month experiential training program for students currently working towards an advanced degree in Health/Biotech Management, Business Analytics, Life Sciences, or other related fields.
Job description
What You Will Be Doing
Global Regulatory Affairs (GRA) is responsible for all interactions between Vertex and Health Authorities around the world. Working under the guidance of the Chief of Staff, the co-op student will help organize, develop, and drive key activities across GRA, including but not limited to RALT operating rhythms, department activities, recurring reporting for leadership, and current strategic initiatives in the department. A core expectation of the role is building automated, AI-enabled processes that continue to run year-over-year.
- Build an automated annual operating calendar of recurring leadership team and departmental activities
- Support planning for recurring RALT meetings: maintain the forward agenda calendar, automate requests for topics and pre-reads, and use AI tools to draft pre-read summaries and meeting recaps
- Build a decision log and action tracker that automatically sends follow-ups to owners on open items and produces a regular status report
- Support planning and logistics for departmental activities (e.g., offsite meetings, town halls, and department meetings)
- Organize supporting materials into a structured repository with clear ownership and update conventions
- Support recurring leadership reports covering progress against annual goals
- Maintain current-state organizational charts for GRA
- Contribute to monthly GRA newsletters
Illustrative End-to-End Projects
- GRA Annual Operating Calendar and Planning Playbook: Map every recurring GRA and RALT activity/report across the year against corporate activities, work backward to establish planning lead times and owners, and reorganize the supporting material into a structured, maintained location.
- Transition Support: Work in close collaboration with Chief of Staff to support an active key transition project within GRA, through involvement in developing work products/plans, tracking key milestones, and building content to support integration activities.
The assignment will close with a final presentation of the student’s projects and recommendations to the GRA leadership team.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in a business-focused graduate program (e.g., MBA, MS in Management, Business Analytics, or Health/Biotech Management); OR a science-focused graduate program (e.g., biology, chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceutical sciences) with business as a minor or second degree
- Enrolled in a formal co-op or experiential learning program and available full-time in an on-site or hybrid capacity in Boston, for the full six-month assignment
- Advanced PowerPoint and Excel; comfortable building executive-ready slides and data views
- Demonstrated ability to use technology to simplify or automate repeatable work (e.g., workflow tools, AI assistants)
- Demonstrated ability to organize ambiguous work, collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders, and follow through without close supervision
- Strong written communication
- Sound judgment and discretion with confidential information
- Legal authorization to work in the United States, now and in the future. Please note that Vertex does not provide sponsorship for internships/co-ops or entry level roles within this part of the organization.
- You must be enrolled in an advanced degree program if graduating before June 2027.
- You must be available to work full-time, 40 hours per week from January – June 2027.
Benefits
- Free On-Site Gym Access
- Free Group Exercise Classes
- Subsidized Commuter Benefits
- Free Daily Breakfast
- Career Development Opportunities
- Social Events
- Company Events
- Recognition of National Intern Day
Company overview
Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a global biotechnology company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, founded in 1989. The company specializes in discovering, developing, and commercializing transformative medicines for serious diseases, with a primary focus on cystic fibrosis (CF). Vertex has pioneered breakthrough therapies including TRIKAFTA/KAFTRIO, SYMDEKO/SYMKEVI, ORKAMBI, and KALYDECO, which collectively treat approximately 90% of CF patients. Beyond CF, the company has expanded its portfolio to include treatments for sickle cell disease, transfusion-dependent beta thalassemia, acute pain, and has robust clinical pipelines in APOL1-mediated kidney disease, type 1 diabetes, myotonic dystrophy type 1, and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Vertex employs approximately 6,100 people globally and maintains research facilities in San Diego, California, and Milton Park, Oxfordshire, England. The company is publicly traded on NASDAQ (VRTX) and is recognized as one of the industry's top workplaces, consistently earning accolades for its innovative culture and patient-focused approach to drug development.