Director, Inflammatory Disease Research in our Gastrointestinal and Inflammation (GI2) Drug Discovery Unit

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Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as a Director,  Inflammatory Disease Research in our Gastrointestinal and Inflammation (GI2) Drug Discovery Unit in our Cambridge, MA office.

At Takeda, we develop innovative medicines and we develop people! We are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower all colleagues to realize their professional and personal potential through their life-changing work and interpersonal relationships. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, encourage innovation, and strive for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

At Takeda, you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission and high-performing culture.

• The Role
  • The Director Inflammatory Disease Research will be responsible for driving internal and external partnered research from new target identification, and technology platform development through early clinical proof-of-concept, to create therapeutic opportunities for patients with Inflammatory diseases.
  • A key part of this role is the identification of novel innovative inflammation drug discovery and developmental science through the preclinical pipeline in support of candidate selection. The appointee will be accountable for defining and alignment on the preclinical and early clinical inflammation disease research elements of the Therapeutic Area strategy in partnership with other research leaders.
  • The  Director Inflammatory Disease Research appointee will interface with the business development group and help review external innovation,
  • The candidate will recruit, retain, and develop a world-class, highly innovative Inflammation research organization.
  • The appointee will help maintain the Takeda culture that promotes creativity, open communication, collaboration, collegiality, and a high sense of urgency. Maintain the highest quality of scientific foundations of the company’s drug discovery process.

Accountable for..

• The Director Inflammatory Disease Research appointee will be a scientific research thought leader within the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU), working within a highly matrixed environment to build a strong and sustainable preclinical and early clinical Inflammation disease therapeutic pipeline.
• A key partner to DDU leaders of the Inflammation research teams.
• Forms a strong partnership with clinical and commercial team colleagues for disease area strategic alignment and is accountable for formulation and delivery of mid-long term innovative strategies to build a sustainable and innovative Inflammation disease area pipeline.
• The Director Inflammatory Disease Research will lead a team of researchers in early target discovery through candidate selection and assist the Project team through early clinical proof-of-concept.
• The candidate will partner with the therapeutic area Translational team in the development and delivery of robust early development plans supporting programs through early clinical proof-of-concept.
• The appointee will partner with the Center for External Innovation at Takeda for the identification and assessment of external platform and pipeline opportunities in Inflammatory disease and accountable for due diligence evaluation and recommendations on external opportunities in Inflammatory disease.
• Ensures and encourages diversity and supports individual colleagues and their reports in career development.
• Ensure that all Inflammation disease area Global Product Teams are resourced for optimal scientific support for research studies, mechanistic understanding, disease area evolution and competitive landscape understanding.
• Provides nuanced and well-informed advice to stakeholders about the GI and Inflammation therapeutic landscape, providing direction on where the science will lead.

Leadership

• Creative, collaborative, proactive, and confident individual with proven leadership qualities, as demonstrated by performance.
• Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions, and cultures and adhere to Takeda’s values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Excellent communicator, able to persuasively convey both ideas and data, orally, in presentations, and using written format.
• Proven skills as an effective team player who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company.
• Ability to distill complex issues and ideas down to simple comprehensible terms.
• Demonstrates leadership presence and confidence.
• Embraces and demonstrates a diversity and inclusion mindset and role models these behaviors for the organization.
• Builds teams across functions and geographies with individuals who have the right skills and experience to deliver on key organizational initiatives.
• Invests time in helping others to enhance their skills and perform at a higher level.
• Effectively represents function in negotiations with the ability to resolve conflict constructively.

Interaction

• Effectively navigates the changing external and internal environment and leads others through change by creating and inspiring and engaging workplace.
• Cultivates a broad network of relationships throughout Takeda, with affiliates and external partners, in the industry and area of expertise.
• Effectively represents function in negotiations with the ability to resolve conflict constructively.
• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with other interfacing Takeda functions.

Innovation

• Forward thinking with the ability to recommend, influence and implement 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.
• Identifies opportunities and anticipates changes in the business landscape through an understanding and ongoing assessment of the environment affecting the business.
• Role models respect and inclusion, creating a culture that fosters innovation.

Desirable educational background, experience, and skills.

• PhD degree in Immunology or a closely related discipline with 10+ years post-PhD industry experience
• Expert scientific knowledge and experience in the areas of Inflammation and autoimmunity/inflammation is required.
• Familiarity with validation of drug targets and the exploratory drug development process. Proven biopharmaceutical industry experience developing and leading innovative therapeutic programs and advancing complex technologies.
• 7 years of Industry experience required and 7 years of managerial experience required.
• Has an advanced degree in health or life sciences (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M.) with significant industry and managerial experience.
• Is highly knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of Inflammation disease drug discovery and through to POC, including contributing to regulatory documentation.
• Shows cross-cultural understanding to utilize the diverse talents and has demonstrated ability to manage matrix teams to maximize organizational productivity.
• Has strong leadership skills and acumen.
• Has excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Capable of leading a matrixed team comprised of scientists from within Takeda as well as external collaborators.
• Has significant experience of participation in diligence activities in the preclinical discovery area.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Travel Requirements: 10-20% (in and outside US) expected to cover Boston and San Diego based teams and to reach partnership network.

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” in accordance with 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.

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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.

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