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Senior Director: Cell Engager Portfolio Lead, ODDU

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 R0123700 Date posted 05/29/2024 Location Boston, Massachusetts

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Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine?

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 realize their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, encourage innovation, and strive for 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.

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

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

The Oncology Drug Discovery Unit (ODDU) is looking for a Leader who will serve as Senior Director, Cell Engager Portfolio Lead reporting into the Solid and Heme Tumor Targeted Therapies Drug Discovery Lead. The individual should have strong Drug Discovery experience applying a disease-first strategy focused on understanding and exploiting the underlying mechanisms of a disease to develop lead assets while training a skilled scientific team.  This strategic leader is able and willing to contribute to projects moving from target identification and validation through early clinical proof of concept.

This candidate will have a deep comprehension of biology (immuno-oncology biology, biologics, translation), strong leadership skills, the ability to apply innovative research biology approaches to provide scientific insights, and the ability to think critically about long-term strategy anticipating the future needs in the field of cell engagers and beyond. The candidate will also serve on the scientific leadership team of the ODDU and is responsible for peer review of data package plans, agreement on innovation priorities, generating clear data package expectations that enable the ability to easily track progress and address potential issues.  The candidate is expected to be influential across the entire drug discovery spectrum in Research (beyond Oncology).  Using their enterprise mindset, the candidate will in partnership with other Research functions help to accelerate development of Takeda's discovery portfolio and in partnership with other therapeutic areas to accelerate development of Takeda’s discovery portfolio.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

  • This leader will be responsible for leading research for selected innovative cell engager and targeted therapies at Takeda and will work closely with Research and Development project teams, Portfolio Leads, Discovery Leads and Lab Heads to develop the strategies and to enable execution of robust, decision-enabling preclinical and translation experiments.
  • The leader is expected to develop, define, and effectively communicate the vision and strategy of the Cell Engager team as it relates to contributing to an industry-leading research portfolio in collaboration with other Portfolio Leads across the DDU.
  • Builds and mentors a team tailored to the vision and strategic imperatives of the ODDU.
  • The leader is a scientific driver for research strategy that brings in external innovation to supplement internal pipeline priorities in partnership with CEI (Center for External Innovation)
  • Oversee the work of Discovery Leads, Lab Head and team providing feedback and detailed scientific guidance and taking corrective action as needed.
  • Develop, drive, and execute the Research plans for selected cell engager programs to support pre-IND packages for the DDU portfolio in partnership with Discovery Leads and Lab Head and team.
  • Represent ODDU within R&D and the TAU, as well as to external stakeholders with respect to the cell engager programs being supported.
  • Drive and deliver the pre-clinical development of cell engager programs and across the ODDU portfolio, leveraging resources as needed on key ODDU initiatives and assets. 
  • Serve as an experienced thought leader for Immuno-Oncology & Translational Oncology within Takeda, guiding the research strategy and ensuring its successful execution while supporting talent development as a strong mentor and role model for cell engager research.
  • Develop and deliver on the design, execution, and analysis of mechanism of action and proof-of concept studies, in close partnership across ODDU, R&D, and the TAU, including perspective across the continuum of discovery and development with a global perspective.
  • Support business critical decision making for pre-IND packages within the cell engager pipeline, and the broader Takeda ODDU portfolio.
  • Leverage up-to-date knowledge of drug development and competitive landscape at internal governance bodies as well as at key interfaces with external partners, to guide decision making.
  • Drive biology focus with solid translation and clinical path in partnership with Research and TAU (Therapeutic Area Unit) partners.
  • Provide direction for the identification of new targets aligned with the iDAS (integrated disease area strategy) in collaboration with the Oncology Development Therapeutic Area Unit and the Oncology Business Unit.​
  • Provide significant input into overall ODDU portfolio and department strategy.
  • Provide leadership and strategic support across Research, and/or to external collaborators.
  • Responsible for management of resourcing and budget planning for the cell engager field.
  • Ability to work in a highly matrixed environment and establish robust connections between the biology and translational team, engaging cross-functional teams to support projects.
  • Work closely with in-house and external partners in developing solid translational and research plans, in interpreting results, and in determining next steps to maximize patient-centered value of the portfolio.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

  • PhD in Immunology or related field with 12+ years of industry experience.
  • 7 (Director)-9 (Senior Director) years of Industry experience required, and 7 (Director)-9 (Senior Director) years of managerial experience required.
  • Excellent knowledge in biologics, immunology, oncology, and drug discovery is required.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, including writing, reviewing and editing scientific documents and presenting to a range of stakeholders.
  • Ability to work and drive decision-making within a multi-disciplinary, multi-regional, matrix teams with a global perspective with cultural competency.
  • Good fit with Takeda core values and leadership principles, including the highest personal values and ethical standards.
  • Takeda’s high-engagement and ONE Research DEI culture is an important factor in our success; we seek team members who will contribute to and further strengthen that culture in all ways of working.
  • Right attitude (agile, curious, positive, open-minded, “can-do” mindset), must be willing and able to be “hands on,” results-oriented mindset.
  • Effective leadership, people management, communication skills, and a team builder management style are essential.
  • Ability to take an enterprise mindset to enable the success of Takeda.

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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
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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

I feel especially lucky to be able to work with colleagues across the industry to meet a unified goal.Takeda is paving the way for how research will be conducted in the future.

Daniel Scheibe - Senior Manager Operations, Systems Engineering, Drug Discovery Sciences

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.

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About our location

Boston, Massachusetts


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