Senior Director Inflammatory Disease Drug Discovery

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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.

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):

• Educational Background: PhD degree in Immunology or a closely related discipline with 15+ years of drug development experience in highly competitive biopharmaceutical companies.
• Scientific Expertise: Expert scientific knowledge in autoimmune disease research with experience in B cell biology such as B cell development, differentiation, activation and/or T-cell licensing and their role in autoimmune disease pathogenesis
• Drug Development Experience: Highly experienced in exploratory drug development with proven biopharmaceutical industry experience leading innovative therapeutic programs and expertise in small molecule and/or biologics drug development.
• Management Experience: 9 years of direct line management and cross-functional project leadership experience required (10 plus preferred).
• Industry Experience: 9 years of industry experience required (10 plus preferred).
• Inflammation Disease Knowledge: Highly knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of Inflammation Disease drug discovery through to candidate selection/IND, including contributing to regulatory documentation.
• Cross-Cultural Understanding: Shows cross-cultural understanding to utilize diverse talents and has demonstrated ability to manage matrix teams to maximize organizational productivity.
• Leadership Skills: Has strong leadership skills and acumen.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Team Leadership: Capable of leading a matrixed team comprised of scientists from within Takeda as well as external collaborators.
• BD Diligence Experience: Significant experience in participation in BD diligence activities in the preclinical discovery function.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Travel Requirements: 10-20% (in and outside US) to reach partnership network

• 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.

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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.

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