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Job Description

At Takeda, we are a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By focusing R&D efforts on three therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible to bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.

About the Role:

As the Head of Program Management for Research’s digital portfolio you will be responsible for the coordination and execution of data & digital initiatives for Research, including management of external partnerships. You will translate high-level digital strategies into actionable project plans, manage cross-functional teams, monitor progress via key performance indicators (KPIs), and ensure that all initiatives are delivered on time and within budget. In addition, you will be responsible for ensuring adoption and implementation of digital solutions into pipeline endpoints. This role requires collaborating with and fostering relationships across multiple disciplines and teams to ensure alignment of Research Digital Strategy with Takeda’s core values of patient-centricity, innovation, and integrity.

Accountabilities:

Provide program management support for Research DDT initiatives

Provide strategic guidance and operational oversight, ensuring effective alignment with Takeda’s digital and organizational goals. Monitor program milestones via KPIs, address escalations, and foster cross-functional collaboration to drive success.

Manage external partnerships, ensuring timely delivery of DD&T solutions that meet our Functional goals and KPIs

Act as a cross-functional liaison for integration with the broader R&D strategy

Bridge the Research digital strategy with Takeda’s divisional R&D strategies, encouraging collaboration between Research, other R&D functions, and data-driven technology teams to drive seamless integration.

Interface with CMC and Research Data Digital &Technology (RDDT) to ensure an end-to-end digital product development continuum

Partner with RDDT to ensure the deployment of technology solutions that will enable integration and interoperability of dataset across R&D organizations

Coordinate the development and implementation of Research digital portfolio

Collaborate with leadership teams and external partners to ensure strategic alignment with Takeda’s R&D priorities and broader corporate objectives.

Ensure coordination in solution development and adoption/change management across Research Workflows

Foster an inclusive and innovative culture

Drive a culture that encourages experimentation and collaboration, empowering teams to explore new digital approaches. Represent Takeda’s commitment to its values of patient-centricity, trust, reputation, and business by promoting transparency, accountability, and a focus on outcomes.

Engage with external industry networks and partners

Actively engage with industry leaders, regulatory bodies, and technology providers to anticipate emerging trends, shape corporate strategic direction, and position the company as a leader in digital advancements. Cultivate strong vendor relationships to drive strategic partnerships, secure favorable deals, and enhance vendor support.

Build relationships with key partners across the organization, including R&D, pharmaceutical sciences, and global quality, to enhance alignment and operational effectiveness. Stay ahead of industry trends by engaging with external partners, regulatory bodies, and technology providers.

At Takeda, we are a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By focusing R&D efforts on three therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible to bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.

Objective / Purpose:

The GI2-Drug Discovery Unit at Takeda is building a new team of experienced, innovative and collaborative drug discovery scientists to build an industry-leading portfolio of drugs for autoimmune inflammatory diseases with high unmet medical need.

We are seeking a senior leader with significant experience in building and leading biology and cross-functional drug discovery teams to establish a new group focused on chronic autoimmune diseases.

The Senior Director Inflammatory Drug Discovery

Will be responsible for developing industry-leading therapeutics for patients with autoimmune inflammatory diseases by building and leading a large research group focused on drug development from target identification through to candidate selection.
Will recruit, retain, and develop a large team of world class, highly innovative in vitro and in vivo research biologists focused on understanding the molecular, cellular and organ-level drivers of inflammatory disease processes, and identifying and developing drug candidates.
Will be scientific research thought leader within the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU), working within a highly matrixed environment to build an industry-leading preclinical and early clinical therapeutic pipeline for Inflammatory Diseases.
Will set the discovery portfolio goals for high priority autoimmune diseases and ensure alignment with key stakeholders in inflammatory disease research, the clinical development team, and other Takeda stakeholders.
Will be accountable for defining the preclinical elements of multiple drug discovery programs, in partnership with other research leaders across Takeda and the early clinical development team within the GI2 Therapeutic Area.
Will interface with the business development group to identify strategically important innovative external opportunities
Will help maintain the Takeda culture that promotes creativity, open communication, collaboration, collegiality, and a high sense of urgency. Maintain the highest quality of scientific foundations of the company’s drug discovery process.

Accountabilities:

Forms a strong partnership with clinical and commercial team colleagues for disease area strategic alignment and is accountability for formulation and delivery of mid-long term innovative strategies to build a sustainable and innovative Inflammation disease area pipeline

The Senior Director Inflammation Drug Discovery will lead a team of researchers in early target discovery through candidate selection and partner with the therapeutic area Translational team in the development and delivery of robust early development plans supporting programs through early clinical proof-of-concept.

The appointee will partner with the Center for External Innovation at Takeda for the identification and assessment of external platform and pipeline opportunities and be accountable for due diligence evaluation and recommendations on external opportunities in Inflammation diseases.

Is seen as an international subject matter expert and identified as a global Takeda thought leader in the field of Inflammatory disease research and keeps up up-to-date with scientific, drug discovery and development and the external competitive environment.

Represents Takeda and fosters a presence in the global inflammation and immunology scientific community through scientific meetings.

Ensures and encourages diversity and supports individual colleagues and their reports in career development.

Ensure that all Inflammation disease area Global Product Teams are resourced for optimal scientific support for research studies, mechanistic understanding, disease area evolution and competitive landscape understanding.

Provides nuanced and well-informed advice to senior stakeholders about the GI and Inflammation therapeutic landscape, providing direction on where the science will lead.
Apply in-depth understanding of mechanism driving disease progression and current therapeutic approaches to develop novel therapeutic strategies for autoimmune and/or rheumatological diseases
Investigate the underlying mechanisms of autoimmune diseases and the molecular and cellular processes that lead to autoimmunity.
Lead innovative therapeutic programs, including the development of small molecules and biologics aimed at modulating the immune system to treat autoimmune conditions.
Identify and validate mechanistically relevant translational biomarkers for autoimmune diseases to support early clinical development
Translate target-specific scientific findings into clinical applications, including the development of new therapeutic strategies and interventions for autoimmune diseases.
Contribute to regulatory documentation for inflammation disease drug discovery through to candidate selection/IND.
Lead a matrixed team comprised of scientists from within Takeda as well as external collaborators.
Participate in BD diligence activities in the preclinical discovery function

Leadership:

Creative, collaborative, proactive and confident individual with proven leadership qualities, as demonstrated by performance.

Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions and cultures and adheres to Takeda’s values of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Excellent communicator, able to persuasively convey both ideas and data, orally, in presentation and written format

Proven skills as an effective team player who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company

Ability to distil complex issues and ideas down to simple comprehensible terms

Demonstrates leadership presence and confidence

Builds teams across functions and geographies with individuals who have the right skills and experience to deliver on key organizational initiatives.

Education & Competencies (Technical and Behavioral):

PhD degree in a scientific discipline with 10+ years experience , or MS with 16+ years experience, or BS with 18+ years experience
Degree in a relevant field such as life sciences or computational sciences
Proven experience managing large-scale digital portfolios in the pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical R&D space
- Expertise in digital strategy development, program management, and cross-functional governance
- Strong understanding of R&D processes and the integration of digital technologies across the research lifecycle
- Exceptional communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills aligned with Takeda’s core values
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams, foster collaboration, and drive organizational alignment
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION :
The position will be based in Cambridge, MA. This position is currently classified as “hybrid” by Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

For Location:

Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$174,500.00 - $274,230.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/ or long-term incentives. U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Locations Boston, MA

Worker Type Employee

Worker Sub-Type Regular

Time Type Full time

Job Exempt

Yes

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.