Head, Neuroscience Communications

About the role: 

As Takeda enters an exciting phase of growth, we are seeking a Head (Senior Director), Neuroscience Communications to lead a cross-functional team preparing for a high-priority potential launch. As Head, Neuroscience Communications, you will report to the Vice President and Head, R&D and Portfolio Communications and join a team that is responsible for developing and executing strategic, integrated communications for Takeda's promising late-stage pipeline and marketed products in the U.S. and globally, including launch readiness and life-cycle management. You will also help refine Takeda’s overall reputation in Neuroscience through above-brand initiatives and storytelling.  

This is a hybrid position requiring working onsite in Cambridge, Massachusetts two (2) days each week/eight (8) days each month at minimum.  

How you will contribute: 

• Serve as a critical member of multiple leadership teams, including the R&D and Portfolio Communications Leadership Team, the U.S. Neuroscience Business Unit Leadership Team, the U.S. Business Unit Senior Leadership Team, global leadership teams and launch steering committees and task forces. 
• Show up as the most senior business partner and communications counselor to Neuroscience leadership across R&D, Commercial, Medical, Advocacy, Public Affairs and other cross-functional team leaders.  
• Lead operationalization of new, high-performing communications team and create a fun, supportive, collaborative culture within Neuroscience, Global Communications and Takeda. 
• Drive career growth and development for two direct reports. 
• Model Enterprise leadership by driving connectivity and collaboration across the organization 
• Create integrated Neuroscience Communications strategy that reflects Enterprise collaboration, deep understanding of niche priority audiences and ability to deliver impact in the most effect ways for these audiences. 
• Identify, create and activate opportunities for Communications to drive ownable, creative, effective engagement with artificial intelligence (AI). 
• Introduce new channels and platforms for reaching priority audiences. 
• Lead collaboration with Takeda executives, communicators, Investor Relations and other cross-functional teams to drive adoption of consistent, clear messages about Takeda, neuroscience aspirations and priority assets. 
• Oversee global and U.S. launch strategy for one of Takeda’s high-priority late-stage assets, working closely with direct reports who lead communications for the asset. 
• Drive development and growth for two direct reports. 
• Bring strong knowledge of the biopharmaceutical industry and expertise related to R&D, commercialization and lifecycle management processes, business development collaborations and launches. 
• Develop and execute pipeline and milestone-specific (e.g., data readouts, regulatory milestones, launches, life-cycle management, issues management) communications plans, including scenario planning, global materials and message development, launch toolkits, global congress communications, media relations strategies, digital/social tactics and quarterly investor messaging support. 
• Partner closely with global patient advocacy, global corporate affairs, investor relations, and country and regional communications teams, among others, to ensure a consistent Neuroscience narrative and communications strategy for Takeda. 
• Partner with regional and country communications teams to share strategic guidance, best practices, and to support local execution of communications activities. 
• Lead issues and crisis planning and execution. 
• Advise on communications strategies for major global Neuroscience medical congresses where data will be presented, liaising with local markets, R&D and medical communications teams, as appropriate. 
• Create global disease awareness programs for key therapeutic areas and above-brand positioning within our Neuroscience portfolio. 
• Develop and track KPIs to ensure communications are meeting desired objectives.  
• Act as a role model for Takeda's values and leadership behaviors, promoting diversity, inclusion and empowerment. 
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and learning, leveraging best practices, insights and feedback to optimize communications effectiveness and impact. 
• Manage global public relations agency partners and oversee communications budgets for Neuroscience portfolio and programs. 

Minimum requirements/qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in communications, journalism, marketing or a related field 
• 15+ years experience in pharma/biotech company, or an agency, with a comprehensive understanding of the biopharma industry 
• At least 10 years of experience in global product/pipeline communications, preferably in Neuroscience 
• Product launch experience 
• Country/regional level communication experience is preferable 
• Proven track record conducting global communication initiatives, programs or events 
• Experience in defining project plans and leading/influencing project teams 
• Experience and maturity to challenge and intervene with colleagues 
• Strong ability and experience working in a complex global matrix organization 
• Excellent communication skills required, written and verbal (presentations) 
• Detail-oriented and highly organized with the ability to meet important deadlines and work well under pressure 
• Strategic and creative thinking, with the ability to anticipate and address opportunities and challenges in a dynamic and fast-paced environment 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required, as well as strong interpersonal skills 
• Track record of successfully working across highly matrixed teams, influencing without authority, and influence change within a large organization 
• Exceptionally strong decision-making and prioritization skills; ability to manage competing priorities and making difficult decisions for inclusion/exclusion 
• Required to prioritize and identify impactful global communication initiatives, plan and execute on budgets and deprioritize in times of constraint and limitations 
• Work across many stakeholders at global, regional, country and R&D level 
• Need to ensure legal and regulatory compliance across all communications content 
• Travel may be required (15%)