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Executive Assistant (EA) to CEO, Office of CEO, Japan / CEO エグゼクティブ アシスタント(課長代理)

Tokyo, Tokyo
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  • Job Type: Full Time
  • 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 R0173033 Date posted 01/26/2026 Location Tokyo, Tokyo

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use.  I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.

Job Description

Please note that this role requires native-level proficiency in both English and Japanese, including speaking, business writing, and reading.

About Takeda

”Better Health for People, Brighter Future for the World” is the purpose of a company. We aim to create a diverse and inclusive organization where people can thrive, grow and realize their own potential while enabling our purpose. We continue to innovate and drive changes that will transform the lives of patients. We’re looking for like-minded professionals to join us.

Takeda is a global values-based, R&D-driven biopharmaceutical leader. We are guided by our values of Takeda-ism, which has been passed down since the company’s founding. Takeda-ism incorporates Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance, with Integrity at the core. They are brought to life through actions based on Patient-Trust-Reputation-Business, in this order.

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

  • Serve as a trusted advisor and extension of the CEO, enabling executive effectiveness through proactive prioritization, sound judgment, and anticipation of business-critical needs
  • Orchestrate the CEO’s time, communications, and information flow to ensure focus on enterprise priorities, governance obligations, and strategic decision-making
  • Facilitate the CEO’s engagement with Board members, executive leadership, and external stakeholders, strengthening alignment, trust, and organizational effectiveness

Uphold the highest standards of integrity, confidentiality, and executive presence to mitigate risk and protect corporate reputation

Key Responsibilities

Partner closely with the CEO’s Executive Assistant based in Boston to operate as one integrated global support team, delivering seamless, end-to-end executive support with the highest standards of judgment, discretion, and professionalism

Executive Time & Priority Management

  • Proactively manage the CEO’s highly complex calendar, meetings, and competing priorities, ensuring optimal allocation of time in alignment with enterprise and strategic objectives
  • Coordinate domestic and international travel, including agendas, logistics, and advance preparation of materials required for executive engagements
  • Anticipate executive needs, prioritize and triage requests, and resolve scheduling conflicts independently with minimal direction

Executive Communications & Gatekeeping

  • Serve as a trusted gatekeeper for the CEO, screening, prioritizing, and escalating communications as appropriate; respond on behalf of the CEO when required
  • Coordinate and support high-level in-person and virtual meetings, ensuring seamless logistics, connectivity, and executive presence
  • Maintain the highest level of confidentiality, professionalism, and discretion in all internal and external communications

Strategic Administrative & Operational Support

  • Prepare, organize, and distribute executive-level meeting materials and briefings of consistently high quality
  • Maintain accurate records and documentation in compliance with Records and Information Management and governance requirements
  • Manage executive expenses and related administrative processes in accordance with corporate policies
  • Co-create deliverables with Boston-based EA and partner, maintaining shared ownership and seamless handoff of work across business days.

Stakeholder & Relationship Management

  • Coordinate and support the CEO’s engagement with key internal and external stakeholders, acting as a professional and trusted point of contact
  • Manage meeting follow-ups, action tracking, and communications to ensure effective relationship management and execution
  • Act as a liaison across functions and leadership levels to facilitate alignment, information flow, and timely decision-making

Governance, Board & Executive Team Support

  • Provide administrative and logistical support for CEO-led forums, including Takeda Executive Team (TET) meetings and other governance bodies
  • Manage and maintain the corporate executive calendar, ensuring alignment with enterprise-wide priorities and governance timelines
  • Partner closely with Executive Assistants supporting TET leaders to ensure seamless coordination, consistent standards, and effective information sharing
  • Liaise with the Board of Directors Office to support the CEO’s engagement with the Board and its committees, including the Audit Supervisory Committee, Nomination Committee, and Compensation Committee

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

  • 5–10+ years of experience as an Executive Assistant supporting CEO or C-suite executives in a Fortune 500 or global multinational organization
  • Demonstrated experience working in complex, matrixed global environments; bio-pharmaceutical or life sciences industry experience strongly preferred
  • Proven experience supporting non-Japanese senior executives and navigating cross-cultural business environments
  • Fluent in Japanese and English, with exceptional written and verbal communication skills in both languages
  • Experience supporting Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and senior leadership meetings, including preparation of materials and coordination of governance processes
  • Strong business acumen with the ability to understand corporate strategy, executive priorities, and organizational dynamics
  • Demonstrated ability to anticipate executive needs, exercise sound judgment, and operate with a high degree of independence
  • Exceptional integrity, professionalism, and discretion in handling highly confidential, sensitive, and strategic information
  • Proven ability to manage complex executive calendars, travel, and priorities across multiple time zones
  • Strong capability to perform under pressure, manage ambiguity, and adapt quickly to changing priorities
  • Advanced stakeholder management skills, building trusted partnerships with senior leaders, Board members, executive teams, other Executive Assistants, and external partners
  • Advanced time management, prioritization, and organizational skills, with strong attention to detail and follow-through
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel, Word), including preparation of executive-level presentations, reports, and communications
  • Flexibility to support a global executive role requiring irregular schedules and extended availability across time zones

TRAVEL REQUIREMENT

Takeda is a global company and may require occasional travel for this position.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary:

  • Allowances: Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.

  • Salary Increase: Annually, Bonus Payment: Twice a year

  • Working Hours: Headquarters (Osaka/ Tokyo) 9:00-17:30, Production Sites (Osaka/ Yamaguchi) 8:00-16:45, (Narita) 8:30-17:15, Research Site (Kanagawa) 9:00-17:45

  • Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)

  • Paid Leaves: Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.

  • Flexible Work Styles: Flextime, Telework

  • Benefits: Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.

Important Notice concerning working conditions:

  • It is possible the job scope may change at the company’s discretion.

  • It is possible the department and workplace may change at the company’s discretion.

Locations

Tokyo, Japan

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time
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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.
  • Great Place to Work

    Recognized for our culture and ways of working, we’re proud to be Certified as a Great Place to Work® in 25 countries and regions.
  • 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

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