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Director, Pharmaceutical Sciences Program Leadership

Boston, Massachusetts
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  • Job Level: Senior
  • Travel: Minimal (if any)

Takeda has been translating science into breakthrough medicines for 240 years. Every step of the way, our teams have worked together to tackle some of the most challenging problems in drug discovery and development. Today, we’re a driving force behind innovative therapies that make a lasting difference to millions of patients around the world.

In R&D, all of our history and potential comes together in an environment that welcomes diversity of thought and amplifies every voice. Working closely with colleagues, you’ll play a key role in bringing our rich pipeline of products forward to help patients. Come join a team that’s earned trust for more than two centuries, and find out how advancing transformative therapies at Takeda will shape your bright future.

Job ID R0156479 Date posted 06/26/2025 Location Boston, Massachusetts

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Job Description

Objective / Purpose:

Expected to engage others by inspiring commitment. Collaborate by influencing through relationships, mobilize high performance, anticipate the group’s future needs and help develop capabilities aligned with those needs. Champion change and be a role model for junior staff not only in technical expertise but across Takeda competencies.

  • Independently leads development of strategy and plans for multiple, complex programs

  • Regularly leads and influences functional/divisional strategy, operations and innovation

  • Functional thought leader and mentor

  • Impactful contributor to divisional initiatives and may contribute to corporate, cross-divisional, and global initiatives

Accountabilities:

Program Leadership:

  • Provides strategic scientific leadership and program management for multiple global CMC development teams dealing with complex development programs that require scientific depth and overall product development acumen for successful execution

  • Identifies, mitigates and communicates project or program risks to relevant stakeholders.  This person is expected to advance not only the program teams they lead but also other teams that are facing unique challenges.

  • Lead/participates as functional expert in divisional and cross-divisional initiatives.

  • Represents CMC on cross-divisional governance and development teams while providing strategy and accountability for CMC deliverables. 

Technical Acumen:

  • Provides scientific leadership and innovation in pharmaceutical research and development. Builds teams across functions and geographies with individuals who have the right skills and experience to deliver on key organizational initiatives.

  • Mentors other members of the department to develop their abilities to lead and advance their individual skills of pharmaceutical product development. Demonstrates humility and approachability in encouraging others to challenge ideas and openly raise issues.

  • Acts as an internal consultant to the Pharmaceutical Sciences staff for any scientific advice that may be needed on a project basis.

  • Develops the capabilities of the department by identifying opportunities and anticipating changes in the business landscape through an understanding and ongoing assessment of the environment affecting the business.

  • Represents Pharmaceutical Sciences in cross divisional, corporate and global initiatives. Cultivates a broad network of relationships throughout Takeda, with affiliates and alliance partners, in the industry and area of expertise.

  • Inspires commitment through a wide range of communication channels (meetings, writing, and presentations).

  • Develops and communicates convincing business cases for department strategies that motivate stakeholders to take action.

  • Ensures that technical and scientific standards within the function meet state-of-the-art industry expectations.

  • Identifies, evaluates, develops, recommends and/or negotiates novel solutions to meet critical project needs.

  • Critically reviews technical and scientific reports from external sources and coordinates Takeda-sponsored work.

Education & Competencies (Technical and Behavioral):

Education / Experience:

  • BS + 18 years of experience; MS + 16 years of experience; PhD + 10 years of experience

Technical Skills/Competencies:

  • Ability to propose and influence development to result in a commercially viable product.

  • Must have the maturity to utilize scientific and technical knowledge to provide unique business solutions. 

  • Experience must be in a scientific discipline with expert knowledge of pharmaceutical development, including an understanding of current laboratory techniques, instrumentation, problem solving techniques, process engineering and manufacturing development, and statistics used in experimental work. Regularly contributes functional expertise to external industry and advocacy groups.

  • Must demonstrate knowledge of several allied fields, such as chemical engineering, analytical/organic/physical chemistry, process engineering, pharmaceutics, quality assurance and/or regulatory affairs. Advanced understanding in DMPK, Pharmacology and Toxicology.

  • Extensive knowledge of current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), ICH Guidelines, other pertinent national regulations, compendial requirements and communicating with regulatory agencies.

  • Must have experience in global regulatory submission requirements and processes.

Program Leadership Skills/Competencies:

Experience with the application of project leadership knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques for complex multidisciplinary programs and initiatives.

  • Leadership - develops and uses knowledge and interpersonal skills to influence and guide internal and external stakeholders towards the accomplishment of program, divisional and corporate goals and objectives; adapts well to different personalities and manages others on the team in a respectful manner.

  • Risk Management - ability to identify/solve technical, budgetary, and schedule risks to multiple programs and propose appropriate risk response strategies. Ability to identify gaps in CMC technology/trends and influence change/improvements to affected areas/processes.

  • Communication - ability to expresses one’s self clearly and concisely to key stakeholders; documents issues and/or concerns concisely and comprehensively; adjusts style, language and/or terminology appropriate for the audience. Can represent CMC viewpoint at corporate and industry level.

  • Resource Management - ability to anticipate and manage internal and external resource needs (people, information, technologies, time, and capital).

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-termincentives. 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.
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During my 20-year journey here, I’ve been fully supported by my colleagues, and I can’t say enough about our rich internal talent and the long-standing values that drive our decisions as we work to develop important medicines for the patients we serve.

Doug Coffman - Head, R&D Asset Transition & Integration Office, R&D Regional & Business Operations

When making any type of decision, the first thing we ask is 'how will this impact patients?’ Ultimately, we’re laser focused on the best interests of the patient, and I truly believe we follow through on that.

Meredith Culp - VP, Head of Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Strategy & Operations and Head of Global Development Integration Office

Our culture and shared values make us like a family here at Takeda. It doesn't feel like work when you're doing something you love with people you love, and when your outcome is really fantastic.

Alison Handley, Head, Center for External Innovation

The heart of our work

Shining a light on new perspectives

What we believe in

Our values of Takeda-ism are Integrity, Fairness, Honesty and Perseverance, with Integrity as the core. These are brought to life through actions based on Patient, Trust, Reputation and Business, in that order.

Our belief in putting people first extends beyond our patients — it includes their families and communities, as well as our Takeda colleagues and their families.

We are committed to embracing our differences, valuing different perspectives, and fostering a culture of respect, inclusiveness and empowerment.

Our embedded Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) strategy enables us to attract and retain exceptional talent, drives innovation, and helps address systemic inequalities in our communities.

  • Integrity

  • Fairness

  • Honesty

  • Perseverance

Working at Takeda

  • Inclusion

    Here, you will feel welcomed, respected, and valued as a vital contributor to our global team.
  • Collaboration

    A strong, borderless team, we strive together towards our priorities and inspiring mission.
  • Innovation

    Bold initiatives, continuous improvement, and creativity are at the heart of how we bring scientific breakthroughs from the lab to patients.
  • Top Workplace

    Recognized for our culture and way of working, we’re one of only 17 companies to receive Top Global Employer® status for 2024.
  • Work-Life

    Our people-first mission extends beyond patients to include their families, communities, and our own Takeda family.
  • Empowerment

    Through trust and respect, you will have genuine support from leaders, managers, and colleagues to do your best work.

We're Steadfast In Our Commitment to Four Key Imperatives

Patient


Responsibly translate science into highly innovative medicines and accelerate access to improve lives worldwide.

People


Create an exceptional people experience.

Planet


Protect our planet.

Data & Digital


Transform Takeda into the most trusted, data-driven, outcomes-based biopharmaceutical company.

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About our location

Boston, Massachusetts


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