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Head of Corporate Governance Legal

Tokyo, Tokyo
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At Takeda, we are guided by our purpose of creating better health for people and a brighter future for the world. Every corporate function plays a role in making sure we — as a Takeda team — can discover and deliver life-transforming treatments, guided by our commitment to patients, our people and the planet.

People join Takeda because they share in our purpose. And they stay because we’re committed to an inclusive, safe and empowering work environment that offers exceptional experiences and opportunities for everyone to pursue their own ambitions.

Job ID R0173528 Date posted 01/30/2026 Location Tokyo, Tokyo

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Job Description

About the Role:

The Head of Corporate Governance Legal is a pivotal leadership role responsible for shaping and guiding the company's legal strategy for corporate governance. This position oversees the legal support provided to the Board of Directors, manages board and committee meetings, statutory records, risk, and relationships with external counsel. Serving as a trusted advisor to the Global General Counsel and executive leadership, the Head of Corporate Governance Legal ensures regulatory compliance and integrates legal expertise with business strategy to drive sustainable growth and operational excellence.

How you will contribute:

• Provide end-to-end oversight of corporate entity management and global corporate governance frameworks.

• Act as the primary Legal Business Partner to finance, ESG, and investor relations teams.

• Advise the executive team on compliance with applicable laws and regulations, proactively monitor regulatory developments, and counsel on the legal implications of strategic business decisions.

• Deliver expert guidance on a broad spectrum of corporate governance matters, including board evaluations, executive compensation, and shareholder communications.

• Develop, implement, and oversee the system of rules, practices, and processes that direct and control the company, ensuring accountability, transparency, and fairness in all governance activities.

• Conduct sophisticated legal analyses of complex and high-risk issues, providing counsel at all organizational levels, including the Board of Directors, CEO, and executive team members.

• Demonstrate leadership in legal innovation and cross-functional initiatives, driving improvements beyond traditional legal boundaries and fostering a culture of agility and technological advancement.

• Champion continual improvement in ways of working, leveraging technology to enhance efficiency and effectiveness across the organization. • Exhibit an enterprise mindset, applying critical thinking to issues with significant business impact and leading cross-functional, innovative initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active legal license in the relevant region. • 12+ years of experience in corporate governance, including board composition, responsibilities, and duties, with a focus on the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.

• Professional legal training from a highly regarded law firm, with significant post-qualification legal experience.

• Demonstrated in-house legal experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech sector, in roles of increasing responsibility.

• Proven personnel management experience, including leading teams of attorneys and legal professionals at all levels.

• Business-level fluency in English (spoken and written).

• Strong capability in managing complexity and ambiguity, with excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.

• Business-focused mindset with a deep understanding of business strategies, financial matters, and the ability to align legal priorities with business risk.

• Outstanding communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and build consensus across global and cross-functional teams.

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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Success profile

What makes a successful team member within Corporate at Takeda?

  • Collaborative
  • Strategic
  • Insightful
  • Results driven
  • Goal-oriented
  • Achiever
The environment is dynamic and evolving, so you have to be adaptable.

Maciej Niedospial - Business Reporting Manager

I’m fortunate enough to work with a highly skilled, diverse and dedicated bunch of people, and for that, I’m grateful! My colleagues continue to amaze me.

Sheelagh Gartlan - Recruitment Business Partner

Takeda is a company that emphasizes diversity and inclusion. By bringing people together who have diverse backgrounds, competencies, and personalities, innovation and ideas grow.

Michelle Chen - Human Resources Manager

  • Impact across generations Partnership brings together world-leading plasma companies to focus on developing and delivering a hyperimmune immunoglobulin in the global fight against COVID-19.

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.

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