Job Posting

Senior Director, Search and Evaluation, Data and Digital Innovation, R&D

Boston, Massachusetts

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Job Level: Senior
Travel: Minimal (if any)

Takeda has been translating science into breakthrough medicines for 240 years. Every step of the way, our teams have worked together to tackle some of the most challenging problems in drug discovery and development. Today, we’re a driving force behind innovative therapies that make a lasting difference to millions of patients around the world.

In R&D, all of our history and potential comes together in an environment that welcomes diversity of thought and amplifies every voice. Working closely with colleagues, you’ll play a key role in bringing our rich pipeline of products forward to help patients. Come join a team that’s earned trust for more than two centuries, and find out how advancing transformative therapies at Takeda will shape your bright future.

Job ID R0147347 Date posted 04/21/2025 Location Boston, Massachusetts

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Job Description

We are seeking a leader with a track record of embracing and delivering on bold ideas for leveraging data, analytics, and AI/ML to materially impact the R&D processes from discovery to delivery of transformative medicines for patients. The best candidate for this job can advocate and gain sponsorship for investment in assets/technology that we license, partner or build. We need a leader who understands Takeda’s existing digital solutions and where Takeda can growth/enhance R&D capabilities, and can identify partners/technology to collaboratively build solutions that may not exist.

The Head, Search and Evaluation (S&E), Data and Digital Innovation, has domain expertise in data and digital technology and the Pharma R&D continuum. They have demonstrated leadership experience and creativity in their approach to integrating the internal and external expertise needed to deliver impactful solutions for R&D.

This Head S&E Data and Digital Innovation will stay abreast emerging innovation in data products, advanced analytical technologies, product software/hardware platforms or digital health technologies. Takeda has significantly invested in Data, Digital and Technology (DD&T), and we are committed to transforming our approach to scientific discovery and development and improving the patient, caregiver and healthcare provider experience through leveraging external innovation.

The Head, S&E, Data and Digital Innovation role will reside within Takeda’s R&D Center for External Innovation organization (CEI) and enable Takeda’s R&D Data, Digital and Technology strategy, working closely with the Head, R&D Data and Digital Technology, and the Global Data & Technology organization. This leader works with the R&D organization and the Head, R&D Data and Digital Technology to define the R&D DD&T strategy and external innovation priorities to enhance our approach to discovery and development, and the patient, caregiver and healthcare provider experience. The S&E Data and Digital Innovation is responsible for proactively scouting external innovation opportunities consistent with our strategy and geared to augment Takeda’s DD&T portfolio and capabilities. By collaborating with Global Data & Technology leaders and internal SMEs, the S&E Lead will conduct or oversee technical due diligence activities to ensure a robust understanding of the potential risks and development of mitigations for investment opportunities.

By effectively synthesizing the risks and merits of potential investment opportunities, this leader will enable cross-R&D decision-making to ensure that Takeda’s DD&T platform capabilities allow us to mitigate future challenges and maximize effectiveness.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

Conduct search and evaluation of licensing or collaboration opportunities from academia, Venture Capital, medical technology, technology companies and healthcare systems
Triage opportunities in partnership with the Data Sciences Institute (DSI), Global Data & Technology, and R&D business sponsors
Accountable for due diligence process to drive a detailed technical evaluation of potential opportunities with the business subject matter experts, develop value proposition and metrics and deliver recommendations to key governance bodies in conjunction with the DD&T BD Lead
Point of contact with the external partner regarding technical-related matters
Work collaboratively with the BD Lead prior to and during negotiation of any non-binding term sheet (NBTS) or definitive agreement
Collaborate with BD Lead for the preparation and presentation of business case and other materials for senior management briefings with support from R&D functions
Work with key internal partners and cross-functional teams to ensure effective communication, efficient decision-making, to support completion of transactions in a timely manner
Directly contributes to the development of the R&D DD&T strategies and leads the development of the external innovation strategy, to be enabled through BD collaborations and licensing, and strategic investments.
Represent Takeda’s R&D DD&T strategic priorities to the external life sciences community
Maintain a broad network of internal and external partners and maintain a high level of external visibility
Represent Takeda’s Scientific excellence and functional capabilities through a deep understanding of the portfolio to ensure Takeda is considered partner of choice
Strong expertise in industry trends in Data and Digital Technology

Basic Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in a technical/scientific field such as Data Science, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Engineering
MD/MBA preferred
Experience/consulting in data, digital and technology innovation across the R&D continuum within the pharmaceutical, biotech or healthcare industries
Minimum of 15 years post-graduate school in Data and Digital Technology roles and 5 years in the healthcare industry
Demonstrated success in leading/managing technology evaluation and digital transformation initiatives especially in an R&D or innovation environment.

Qualifications:

Leadership experience in DD&T and healthcare industry
Strong understanding of DD&T innovations serving drug discovery, development commercialization process and functions
Deeply networked in the DD&T ecosystem
Demonstrable S&E experience in a broad range of DD&T areas within scope
Ability to interact and communicate effectively with senior executive teams
Proven innovation driven leadership abilities in a biopharma environment with knowledge of pre-clinical and clinical R&D
A strong background of building successful internal/external partnership and collaborative relationships in a biopharma organization, demonstrating cultural sensitivity and awareness
Demonstrated ability to lead and influence experienced professionals
Ability to think critically, creatively and to anticipate and solve problems
Ability to navigate and be successful in a fast-paced, highly matrixed work environment
Comfortable with ambiguity

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” by Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy

Leadership and Behaviors

The Head, Search and Evaluation (S&E), Data and Digital Innovation is a thought partner to Head, R&D Data and Digital Technology, and R&D leaders to develop and refine the R&D DD&T priorities to enable business critical activities.

The Head, S&E, Data and Digital Innovation must efficiently synthesize and efficiently identify the best opportunities that will help Takeda each its business goals and champion such opportunities within the organization.

The Head, S&E, Data and Digital Innovation is an ambassador to potential external collaborators to ensure Takeda is perceived as a “Partner of Choice” while clearly communicating Takeda’s areas of strategic interest and the company’s evaluation and governance processes.

The Head, S&E, Data and Digital Innovation is the accountable person to drive due diligence team performance and support final team recommendations. To do so, he/she must understand Takeda’s wider business priorities and actively seek collaboration across the organization’s complex matrix structure.

The Head, S&E, Data and Digital Innovation will have excellent written and verbal communication skills and provide the strategic and scientific rationale for proposed research or development partnerships and investment proposals succinctly and effectively to senior management.

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.

For Location:

Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$208,200.00 - $327,140.00

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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During my 20-year journey here, I’ve been fully supported by my colleagues, and I can’t say enough about our rich internal talent and the long-standing values that drive our decisions as we work to develop important medicines for the patients we serve.

Doug Coffman - Head, R&D Asset Transition & Integration Office, R&D Regional & Business Operations

When making any type of decision, the first thing we ask is 'how will this impact patients?’ Ultimately, we’re laser focused on the best interests of the patient, and I truly believe we follow through on that.

Meredith Culp - VP, Head of Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Strategy & Operations and Head of Global Development Integration Office

Alison Handley, Head, Center for External Innovation

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