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Group Lead, Director Global Scientific Communications

Cambridge, 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 R0149715 Date posted 05/08/2025 Location Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Job Description

Role Objectives:

  • The Group Lead, Global Scientific Communications has ultimate accountability for delivering and executing TA communication strategies for Takeda global medical affairs in close alignment with the global medical affairs TA strategy teams.  This includes responsibility for scientific publication and Medical material messaging contents and cadence across TA compounds and programs. 
  • Includes development of integrated medical communications plans including scientific publication strategy and plan, congress plan and supportive materials, scientific slide decks, scientific communication platforms, training content, FAQs, symposia, congress materials, medical education materials, etc., all in close partnership with the relevant TA strategy units.
  • Ensures optimal use of internal and outsourced resources; the efficient and effective management of teams in alignment with relevant Global Medical Strategy Teams (MSTs). 
  • Ensures TA congress and communication strategies include innovative and cutting-edge practices consistent with the evolving digital landscape in partnership with DD&T and business partners. 

Key Accountabilities:

  • Lead and develop TA scientific communications and publications in collaboration with medical information, training, evidence generation and other cross-functional partnerships across the medical affairs ecosystem in support of a consistent omnichannel HCP experience.
  • Direct development and execution of integrated medical communication plans through close collaboration with cross-functional teams (including Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Commercial, GPD comms), to ensure alignment and integration of medical communication initiatives, thus enabling scientific engagement and effective targeted education and data driven interventions with the hope of achieving measurable improvements in patient outcomes.
  • Lead and manage the TA scientific communications teams, driving the development, review, and timely publication of high-quality publications such as scientific manuscripts, abstracts, posters, presentations, and digital enhancements.
  • Develop and implement strategies for Scientific Communications & Digital Enhancement, including the utilization of digital platforms, social media, and other innovative channels to enhance scientific exchange and engagement.
  • Define best practices, identify high-risk activities, and provides risk-mitigation steps for communication-related activities. 
  • Maintain close working relationship with Global Medical Heads, Global Medical Directors, heads of Regional and other business unit Medical Affairs offices, LOCs and LOC medical directors, TDC, TPI, and TPC to ensure appropriate alignment of activities and efforts, including effective management of communications teams and appropriate contribution to the Global MSTs.  
  • Provide strategic guidance and mentorship to team members, fostering their professional development and promoting a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Dimensions and Aspects:

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise:

  • Comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and medical affairs   
  • Global regulatory expertise with demonstrated strong ability for collaboration and team leadership; experience leading and working with cross-cultural teams. 
  • Therapeutic expertise 

Leadership:

  • Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions and cultures and lead a large, diverse team.
  • TA 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. 
  • Leadership presence and confidence 
  • Embraces and demonstrates a diversity and inclusion mindset and role models these behaviors for the organization. 
  • Ability to develop and drive a Global Workforce and Talent strategy for colleagues in the Global, Regional and Local organizations 

Decision-making and Autonomy:

  • Broad decision-making responsibilities:  
  • Ability to make highly complex decisions that impact the TA and TA strategy. 
  • Accountable for decision making for Scientific Communications function.  
  • Ability to seek diverse input from multiple constituents and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions. 
  • Ability to incorporate feedback and ensure decisions are made swiftly to yield flawless execution.   
  • Accountable for designing 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. 
  • Effectively implement R&D’s partnership strategy 
  • Effectively represent Takeda in with the ability to resolve conflict in a constructive manner. 
  • Ability to create teams with a focus on psychological safety
  • Build strong partnerships and drive role clarity with other interfacing Takeda functions, including but not limited to Medical Strategy Teams, GPTs, TAUs, Business Units (USBU, OBU, VBU, etc.), GEO, GPSE, LOCs, GPLS, and Market Access. 

Innovation:

  • Visionary and forward thinking with the ability to influence and effectively drive 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. 

Complexity:

  • Ability to work in a global ecosystem (internal and external) with a high degree of complexity. 
  • Breadth of knowledge required across therapeutic areas, indications, and/or modalities. 
  • Experience operating in a multi-disciplinary drug development environment including international experience and exposure to a variety of therapeutic areas. 

Education, Behavioral Competencies and Skills:

  • Bachelor’s degree required, advanced degree preferred (e.g. MSc, Pharmacist, PharmD, PhD or MD) 
  • 10+ years combined experience in pharmaceutical industry, and academic research, or healthcare management. Additional therapeutic area expertise is strongly desired.  
  • Understands and delivers critical capabilities of a modern global specialty medicine medical affairs organization: clinical research, evidence generation, value demonstration, medical communication, medical information, publication activities, congress presentations, interaction with Medical Science Liaison networks, compliance, and public speaking.  
  • Additionally, a solid familiarity with the entire commercialization process and the marketplace dynamics that impact organizational decisions and deliverables.  
  • Management experience in Global Medical Affairs or related field, leading a small-medium organization and influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders. 
  • Proven track record of leading and driving business process transformation and organizational culture change as well as delivering on programs with complex business deliverables. 
  • Operational experience in pharmaceutical drug development with significant direct exposure to clinical development 
  • Experience in the assigned therapeutic area a plus
  • Track record of successful leadership, management, and development of multi-disciplinary globally dispersed teams. Strong judge of talent with the ability to make tough talent decisions. 
  • Health care business acumen with a comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry. 

Additional Information:

  • Ability to travel (domestic and international) required

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:

USA - MA - Cambridge - Kendall Square - 500

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$191,800.00 - $301,400.00

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

USA - MA - Cambridge - Kendall Square - 500

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

Our culture and shared values make us like a family here at Takeda. It doesn't feel like work when you're doing something you love with people you love, and when your outcome is really fantastic.

Alison Handley, Head, Center for External Innovation

The heart of our work

Shining a light on new perspectives

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

Cambridge, Massachusetts


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