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Global Therapeutic Research Lead - Oncology

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

At Takeda, we strive to provide transformational opportunities for every member of our team, and we empower our people to take charge of their futures. In an environment that fosters lifelong learning and a growth mindset, you’ll have the support you need to thrive — at work and beyond.

Job ID R0144881 Date posted 02/18/2025 Location Boston, Massachusetts

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Job Description

Purpose

  • Leveraging a proven track record of leading at least 3 discovery programs to clinic, The Global Therapeutic Research Lead (G-TRL) is a pipeline critical strategic leader responsible for driving Research projects to the clinic. The individual will sit on the Oncology Drug Discovery Unit (ODDU) Leadership Team.
  • Leader for at least one or more of Takeda’s top priority projects with substantial clinical and commercial potential with a clear accelerated path to the clinic.
  • You will provide mentorship to team members to elevate enterprise thinking and capabilities of our drug discovery talent across the global Research function.
  • As project lead, the G-TRL builds a connected view of the project within the Oncology Therapeutic Area strategy and treatment paradigm and can represent all core expertise at depth and align with stakeholders and sponsors across the organization including Research, Clinical Development, and Commercial stakeholders and executive level governance committees.
  • G-TRLs are responsible for creating the medicine vision, early asset strategy and managing multiple external partnerships that accelerate delivery of the project.
  • G-TRLs will establish smart, fast, and critical path-minded practices for groups, including integrating new strategies and competitive industry ways of working.
  •  G-TRL will advise on the continuous infusion of new Research projects aligned to strategy to generate a sustainable Research Engine generating a steady flow of high-quality INDs every year.

Accountabilities

  • Lead and manage one or more ‘Top 10’ drug discovery projects, overseeing the entire drug discovery process from target identification to preclinical development. (Top 10 projects are well-validated targets that are focused on strategically aligned modalities with substantial clinical and commercial potential)
  • Responsible for the articulation and ownership of the project strategy, developed in partnership with internal stakeholders.
  • Contribute to strategy for future portfolio investment, particularly within the Inflammation and Immunology area including advising on which projects should be Top 10 projects.
  • Evaluate and prioritize potential drug candidates based on scientific, medical, and commercial considerations.
  • Represent all core expertise for project.
  • Partner with Clinical and Translational teams to refine asset strategy.
  • Ensure alignment to the therapeutic area strategy (i.e., Clinical Development).
  • Understand and align with commercial team for asset commercial value within the TA.
  • Provide guidance and mentorship to global project team members, stimulating enterprise thinking and fostering their professional growth and development.
  • Mentor future and more junior project leads and elevate drug discovery capability across Research.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams and partners (e.g., DMPK, Pharmaceutical Sciences) within and outside Takeda to drive project delivery.
  • Pipeline and enterprise impact through effective partnering with multiple internal and external collaborators.
  • Provide strategic, process, and operational leadership for successful Top 10 Project delivery.
  • Foster a culture of innovation and scientific excellence within the matrixed drug discovery team, promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
  • Become a world leading scientific expert in the projects you lead.
  • Oversee the design and execution of experiments, data analysis, and interpretation to enable decision-making and optimize drug discovery efforts.
  • Stay abreast of the latest advancements in drug discovery, emerging technologies, and industry trends, applying this knowledge to enhance drug discovery strategies.
  • Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including academic institutions, research organizations, and industry partners inclusive of serving on joint external governance committees across the globe.
  • Represent Takeda externally for the Oncology Drug Discovery Unit and play a key role in evaluating external opportunities, serving as an effective ambassador for Takeda’s global business development brand.

Education & Competencies (Technical and Behavioral):

  • Advanced degree in health or life sciences (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M.)
  • Expected to have at least 10-12 years industry and relevant subject matter expertise within Immunology and Inflammation and at least 10-12 years global management experience, including working effectively with matrix teams.
  • Extensive experience in leading drug discovery teams and managing drug discovery/development projects, preferably in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting covering Oncology.
  • Deep understanding of the drug discovery process, including target identification, hit-to-lead optimization, and preclinical development, anticipating, and removing roadblocks.
  • Proven track record of leading numerous projects, ideally 5+ projects, across discovery from target inception to Candidate Nomination or beyond.
  • Played a major role in 3+ INDs.
  • Has delivered clinical development assets preferably across multiple modalities (e.g. small molecule, biologics, cell therapies, ADC etc.)
  • Excellent and inclusive leadership with the ability to inspire and motivate diverse teams towards achieving ambitious goals.
  • Reputation as a proactive, solutions-oriented leader who engages relevant expertise no matter where it resides.
  • Strong business acumen and understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including regulatory requirements and commercial considerations with relevant knowledge and expertise for specific modalities.
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
  • Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders across a matrixed organization.
  • Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a focus on data-driven decision making.
  • Demonstrated success in building and managing strategic partnerships with academic institutions, research organizations, and industry collaborators.

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” in accordance with 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:

$205,100.00 - $322,300.00

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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Where you fit in

Our team at Takeda is tackling some of the most challenging problems in drug discovery and development. As the newest member of our Research team, you’ll conduct purposeful, meaningful work on groundbreaking modalities that may lead to breakthrough drugs.

With our deep investment in next-generation technologies, you’ll have the resources and support to do your best work. As a part of our team, you’ll connect with brilliant minds inside and outside of Takeda. We are committed to collaborating with academia and emerging biotech companies to expand our reach and impact in cell therapy, gene therapy and data sciences.

Our team’s wide-ranging expertise includes medicinal chemistry, genomics datasets, immunofluorescence, high content imaging, flow cytometry, transcriptional profiling, multi-step synthesis, multimodal genetics, pharmacokinetics and much more. Whatever area inspires you, your work will support the progression of an innovative, industry-leading discovery pipeline and make an impact that matters to patients and society.

A career in Research at Takeda will give you everything you need to succeed professionally — and make a difference to patients, people and the planet.

  • Design and carry out experiments

  • Manage multiple projects

  • Document data

  • Mentor other scientists

Along with incredibly passionate colleagues, there’s a clear commitment to invest in the best facilities and the right equipment needed to successfully perform world-class science.

Christina Alves - Head of Biotherapeutics Process Development

Our pipeline

Our internal research capabilities and external partnerships contribute to an R&D engine that has produced exciting new molecular entities (NMEs) across our core Therapeutic Areas. Check out our pipeline and see how we’ll continue delivering a steady stream of next-generation therapies.

Learn more

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.

Exterior of Takeda Building

About our location

Boston, Massachusetts


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