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Executive Director, Clinical Operations

Boston, Massachusetts
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  • Job Level: Senior
  • Travel: Minimal

At Takeda, we exist to create better health for people and a brighter future for the world. While we continually evolve science and technology, our ambition remains steadfast — we move science forward so we can transform more lives. The Global Development Organization (GDO) maintains a laser focus on Study Management and Site Engagement, Clinical Trial Innovation, Clinical Supply Chain and Patient Safety to ensure absolute quality and enable the predictable delivery of our innovative pipeline.

Through its collaborative process, the GDO team leverages data, digital and analytics to improve speed, quality, performance and predictability within every area of clinical development. We’re building a platform to visualize operational data and enable predictive analytics, while leveraging digital technologies to support clinical supply chain and patient safety. GDO also partners with external organizations and leading academic institutions, such as MIT, to spark innovation in AI and Machine Learning focused on better patient outcomes.

At the heart of GDO are our people: we are committed to building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive culture not only within our own walls and our communities, but also across our clinical trials. It is our passion for people that transforms our work into meaningful action. Come join a team that has earned trust for more than two centuries and advances transformative therapies with honesty, integrity and fairness.

Job ID R0147752 Date posted 03/24/2025 Location Boston, Massachusetts

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Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused company to inspire you and support your career? If so, be empowered to take charge of your future at Takeda. Join us as the Executive Director of Clinical Operations reporting to the Head of Global Clinical Development Operations.

At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to work towards their potential through life- changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers and work towards excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Here, you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

The Executive Director of Clinical Operations will act as a role model for Takeda’s values and be responsible for leading and participating in initiatives for process, technology or other continuous improvement to achieve cost-reduction, time-savings, efficiency, quality and/or other business objectives. This individual will also be responsible for functional leadership in global clinical operations, including both direct line management (hiring, training, staff assignments, coaching, mentoring, and performance management) and indirect management of global clinical operations staff in a matrix environment. 

Objectives:

  • Serve as the Global Clinical Development Operations leader within the assigned therapeutic area/business unit; establish and maintain collaborative relationships with cross-functional stakeholders and peers.
  • Represent GCDO in all TA-specific forums, review boards and meetings; provide leadership/functional input into all study and program-related documentation, including the Asset Strategy, Clinical Development Plan, Protocol, etc.
  • Responsible for clinical operations strategy, including the successful execution and management of global clinical programs in assigned therapeutic area(s) or business units, in support of the Clinical Development Plan (CDP).
  • Responsible for financial planning/forecasting and budget management for all studies/programs within the assigned therapeutic area(s) or business units; responsible for administrative budget oversight for direct and indirect reports.
  • Establish and maintain effective relationships with strategic partners and vendors; serve as primary point of contact at the therapeutic area/business unit. Ensure transparency of risks, mitigation plans and escalations with cross-functional leaders within the therapeutic area (including TAU leadership).
  • Support the development of consistent Clinical Operations processes and ensuring the implementation of a unified approach across therapeutic areas.
  • Initiate, develop, lead and/or participate in global initiatives representing Clinical Operations, in support of Takeda R&D objectives.

Accountabilities:

  • Collaborate with global functional heads and TA leadership to define operational strategy for clinical programs, including risk management and contingency planning for clinical programs and clinical studies.  Accountable for on-time, high-quality and on-budget delivery of clinical trials within the assigned therapeutic area/business unit.
  • Chair the Operational Strategy Review meetings and ensure implementation of aligned operational strategy for all studies within the therapeutic area(s)/business unit. 
  • In collaboration with Study Management leadership, assess resource needs within the assigned therapeutic area/business unit; effectively manage optimal deployment of resources.
  • Ensure clinical operations deliverables and work product are compliant with global regulatory and compliance requirements for clinical research, including but not limited to FDA Code of Federal Regulations, EUCTR, ICH GCP and local country requirements.
  • Responsible for oversight of clinical budget planning/forecasting and management for assigned therapeutic area. 
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal policies throughout the clinical trial lifecycle.
  • Oversee, review and approve operational due diligence for new compounds/alliances (both early and late stage); partner with TAU/BU representatives and the Centralized Due Diligence function to ensure delivery of appropriate assumptions, trial budgets, timelines, and enrollment models.
  • Maintain current therapeutic area knowledge and continually assess impact of new and evolving information on operational strategies.
  • Escalate issues related to quality, timelines and budget and provide recommendations to upper management for resolution of these issues.
  • Support all CRO and vendor partnerships by participating in strategic vendor governance, including risk mitigation and identification/resolution of performance issues.
  • When necessary, communicate risks and escalate issues related to quality, timelines and budget; provide recommendations and solutions to TAU leadership to support resolution of issues.
  • Lead and/or participate in initiatives for process, technology or other continuous improvement to achieve cost-reduction, time-savings, efficiency, quality and/or other business objectives.
  • Responsible for functional leadership in global clinical operations, including both direct line management (hiring, training, staff assignments, coaching, mentoring, and performance management) and indirect management of global clinical operations staff in a matrix environment.  
  • Act as a role model for Takeda´s values.

Competencies:

  • Deep oncology experience through Phases I-IV.
  • Managing large complex global studies.
  • Expert knowledge of global regulatory and compliance requirements for clinical research, including but not limited to FDA Code of Federal Regulations, EUCTR, ICH GCP and local country requirements. Global/International experience required, including ability to manage intercultural regionally based teams and fluent business English skills (oral and written).
  • Experience in successful change management (strategy, initiation, development and implementation of important, organization wide changes).
  • Previous line management or direct management of team members.

             Education & Experience:

  • Bachelor’s Degree or international equivalent required, Life Sciences preferred. Advanced degree highly desirable.
  • 15+ years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry and/or clinical research organization, including 12+ years clinical study/program management, including at least 6 years of line management experience.

Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25%, travel reimbursed

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

As a member of GDO, you will play an important role in bringing forward our rich pipeline of life-changing products to help patients. You will find enriching engagement and a mindset of continuous improvement through creativity, innovation and diversity.

We are a global organization present in the U.S., Europe and Asia with colleagues located in several additional countries to strategically support our business needs. But our people, and the culture they build, are the foundation that sets GDO apart. Our belief in putting people first extends beyond patients. It includes their families and communities, and also our Takeda colleagues and our families.

Working closely with GDO colleagues and key stakeholders across R&D, you will leverage our new operating model and innovative technologies to accelerate the development of our current and future portfolio to bring medicines to patients faster.

  • Advance clinical research

  • Deliver clinical analytics and study insights using innovative technologies to improve trial accessibility and patient centricity

  • Enable end-to-end management of clinical supply

  • Ensure safety management and inspection readiness

One of the main reasons I came to Takeda is because of the people I would be working for.We all use PTRB as our North Star. I think that makes it easier to delegate decisions and empower each level of the organization to contribute in a meaningful way.
Marisa Rackley

Marisa Rackley - Head, Clinical Site Startup & Engagement, Global Development Office

It’s leveraging technology, it’s leveraging data in a very different way. It’s not just about using the data that we generate, but using real world data and having access to a much more holistic set of data in order to drive the way we work and deliver medicines to patients.
Penny Carlson

Penny Carlson - Head, Global Clinical Development Operations

The heart of our work

Shining a light on new perspectives

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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