Senior Director, HR Technology and Digital Innovation

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Partner with business stakeholders across Human Resources in order to manage and prioritize the technology portfolio and continually build the future roadmap

• Build and strengthen relationships with key stakeholders - become a trusted partner and have an ongoing, significant impact towards meeting strategic business goals

• Present ideas and forward-looking plans to, and engage directly with, cross-functional senior leaders on regular basis

• Direct and lead a group of 7 Vertex team members (four direct reports), plus a managed services team of support engineers, developers, and systems analysts

• Oversee a portfolio of projects, programs, releases and system enhancements, assuring quality and timeliness of delivery while remaining within allocated budget limits

• Proactively offer innovative technologies, solution ideas, and potential business process improvements in pursuit of driving efficiencies and meeting business needs

• Enhance and improve internal processes and procedures related to demand management, resource management, project delivery, platform releases and ongoing operational support

• Manage relationships with our strategic software vendors and service providers

• Provide day-to-day support and maintenance for Workday and other applications, ensuring maximum uptime, high performance, and excellent customer service

• Ensure compliance with data privacy, security, and regulatory requirements across all HR systems and platforms.

• Work closely with Data Privacy, Security, Compliance, Internal Audit and Quality Assurance groups as needed to ensure compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and GxP regulations, as well as our DTE (Data Technology and Engineering) system lifecycle

• Participate as a member of the G&A and Enterprise Systems Leadership Team, driving overall strategy for the team

• Develop and lead the enterprise-wide HR technology strategy, including system architecture, data governance, and integration frameworks.

• Drive innovation through the adoption of AI, machine learning, and automation tools to optimize HR operations and employee services.

• Oversee the implementation and continuous improvement of core HR systems (e.g., Workday, analytics platforms, AI platforms and other Saas platforms), ensuring alignment with business needs and scalability.

• Partner with cross-functional leaders to ensure seamless integration of HR systems with enterprise platforms, enabling end-to-end digital workflows.

• Champion change management initiatives to drive adoption of new technologies and digital capabilities across the HR organization.

• Manage vendor relationships and evaluate emerging technologies to ensure Vertex remains at the forefront of HR digital innovation.

• Build and lead a high-performing team of HR technology and data professionals, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to HR and business leadership on digital trends, capabilities, and transformation opportunities.

Knowledge and Skills

• Deep experience with Workday, Cornerstone, Skills-based platforms supporting career development and workforce planning.

• Deep expertise in HR systems architecture, data strategy, and digital transformation.

• Deep experience with enterprise application and SaaS implementations, upgrades, enhancements and operational support procedures

• Advanced knowledge of AI, machine learning, robotic process automation, and cloud-based HR platforms.

• Strong understanding of data governance, analytics, and visualization tools (e.g., Power BI).

• Proven ability to lead complex system integrations and enterprise-wide technology initiatives.

• Exceptional strategic thinking, stakeholder engagement, and change leadership skills.

• Ability to translate business needs into scalable digital solutions.

• Strong communication and storytelling skills to influence across all levels of the organization.

• Demonstrated ability to foster innovation and drive continuous improvement.

• Very strong communication, interpersonal, and collaborative skills

• Proven capabilities in people management and building high-performing teams

• Experience with running IT managed services or outsourced/ offshore teams

• Program/ project management, demand management, resource management and system life cycle expertise

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Information Systems, Business Administration, or related field.

• Advanced degree (MBA, MS in Data Science or HR Technology) preferred.

• Typically requires 12+ years of progressive experience in HR technology, data, and digital transformation, including 5+ years in a senior leadership role.

• Experience in biotech/pharma or highly regulated industries strongly preferred.

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.