Head, Research R&D DD&T

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Job Description

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE:

As the Head of Research Data, Digital, and Technology (DD&T), you will report directly to Head of R&D DD&T, serving as a strategic partner to the Research organization at Takeda. This role is accountable for aligning and advancing Takeda's research objectives through the strategic use of cutting-edge technology, ensuring product value delivery, and enabling digital transformation within the Research space.

This position involves setting and executing the DD&T strategy for research, fostering innovation to support breakthrough discoveries in alignment with Takeda's focus areas. The incumbent will lead, inspire, and develop high-functioning technology teams and collaborate closely with key stakeholders spanning Research, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Global DDT, and other R&D functions.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

Strategic Leadership:

• The role serves as the primary liaison between Research and R&D DD&T and includes setting and executing the DD&T strategy for Research.

• Develop and drive a comprehensive DD&T strategy to address the unique challenges and opportunities in drug discovery and early development.

Innovation and Technology Integration: 

• Champion end-to-end technology solutions to accelerate discovery, enhance data integration, and enable AI-driven insights.

• Lead the implementation and execution of Takeda’s Aedificus Fortis initiative to establish resilient, scalable, and tech-enabled foundations for Research, driving efficiency and scientific innovation. Align the initiative goals with broader organizational objectives and deliver measurable benefits through robust analytics, automation, and optimized workflows. Champion adoption and cultural integration of initiative, ensuring progress visibility through proactive engagement and executive-level reporting.

• Oversee the development, integration, and scalability of technologies across Research to drive efficiency and scientific innovation.

Collaboration and Stakeholder Management:

• Will lead, inspire, and develop high-functioning technology teams and collaborate closely with key stakeholders spanning Research, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Global DDT, and other R&D functions.

• Lead a team of technology and informatics professionals responsible for delivering digital solutions, managing technology product lifecycles, and ensuring long-term sustainability.

• Oversee the planning and implementation of initiatives to enhance informatics capabilities across computational biology/chemistry, real-world data utilization, and lab automation.

• Enable seamless integration across Takeda’s research portfolio by optimizing workflows, data interoperability, and decision-making frameworks with technology.

Change Management:

• Acts as a change agent to promote innovative ways of working and fostering collaboration with external technology partners, academic institutions, and internal stakeholders.

Resource Management:

• Manage budgets and resources efficiently to prioritize and achieve technical milestones.

• Ensure adherence to compliance, security, and IT governance standards while fostering an environment of continuous improvement and adaptability.

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS:

Leadership:

• Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions and cultures

• Functional level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate and drive results

• Excellent communicator, able to persuasively convey both ideas and data, verbally and in writing

• 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

• Embraces and demonstrates a diversity and inclusion mindset and role models these behaviors for the organization

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

• Invests time in helping others to enhance their skills and perform at a higher level

Decision-making and Autonomy:

• Decision making responsibilities: Provide input to highly complex decisions that impact the functional area. Accountable for decision making for designated function. Ability to seek diverse input from multiple constituents and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions. Ability to incorporate feedback and ensure decisions are implemented swiftly to yield flawless execution 

• Accountable for providing input to and implementing vision and strategy for designated scope

Interaction:

• Effectively navigates the changing external and internal environment and leads others through change by creating and inspiring and engaging workplace

• Cultivates a broad network of relationships throughout Takeda, with affiliates and external partners, in the industry and area of expertise.

• Effectively represents function in negotiations with the ability to resolve conflict in a constructive manner

• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with other interfacing Takeda functions

Innovation:

• Forward thinking with the ability to recommend, influence and implement organizational change and continuous innovation

• Comfortable challenging the status quo and bringing forward innovative solutions

• Ability to take risks implementing innovative solutions, accelerating time to market

• Identifies opportunities and anticipates changes in the business landscape through an understanding and ongoing assessment of the environment affecting the business.

• Role models respect and inclusion, creating a culture that fosters innovation

Complexity:

• Ability to work in a global ecosystem (internal and external) with a high degree of complexity

• Deep expertise required

• Ability to see and understand broader, enterprise level perspective 

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• Advanced degree (Ph.D., MD, or equivalent preferred) in a relevant field such as Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Bioengineering, or a related discipline preferred.

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in a leadership position within a pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare R&D environment.

• Proven track record of successfully implementing technology strategies to expedite drug discovery and early development pipelines.

• Deep knowledge of R&D processes, global data governance and GxP compliance requirements, and emerging trends in DD&T, including AI/ML and cloud technologies.

• Exceptional leadership and people management skills, including effective cross-functional collaboration and talent development.

• Strong understanding of Takeda’s therapeutic areas, scientific goals, and the broader biopharma competitive landscape.

• Demonstrated project and stakeholder management expertise, with the ability to influence senior executives and external partners.

• Agile Mindset: Capacity to adapt to shifting priorities and explore novel solutions to persistent challenges.

• Business Acumen: Sound financial stewardship and ROI-driven product management approach.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with enterprise-level data ecosystems, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and AI/ML platforms.

• Involvement in partnerships with global academic and industry leaders to co-develop innovative technologies.

• Background in implementing digital transformation initiatives within heavily matrixed organizations.

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:

$208,200.00 - $327,140.00

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

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