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Job DescriptionObjective / Purpose:
The Director, Innovation leads the GRIDS Innovation Program, establishing and operationalizing a structured framework to capture, assess, prioritize, and deliver innovation and continuous improvement initiatives across Global Regulatory Affairs.
This role ensures that innovation is managed as a disciplined capability, enabling both rapid improvements and strategic system advancements aligned with GRA and Digital strategy. The position drives transparency, governance, and value realization across the innovation lifecycle, strengthening organizational capability and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Accountabilities:
· Lead and govern the end-to-end innovation lifecycle, including idea intake, assessment, prioritization, routing, and implementation
· Establish and operationalize standardized intake channels and governance structures for innovation management
· Ensure systematic capture of ideas from regulatory teams, audits, inspections, and external inputs
· Facilitate cross-functional prioritization governance, ensuring alignment to value, complexity, and strategic objectives
· Define and govern delivery pathways (e.g., system roadmap, rapid implementation, interim solutions)
· Monitor implementation progress and ensure alignment with delivery teams and organizational priorities
· Define and track KPIs to measure innovation outcomes, including efficiency, quality, and risk reduction
· Deliver transparent reporting to GRA and Digital leadership on pipeline health and performance
· Drive adoption of innovation processes and reinforce innovation behaviors across the organization
· Promote recognition and engagement to strengthen a culture of innovation and continuous improvement
Education & Competencies (Technical and Behavioral):
- Education & Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
- 10+ years of experience in Regulatory Affairs, Operations, or Regulatory Technology/Data
- Experience establishing or leading innovation or governance frameworks in GxP environments
- Technical Competencies
- Strong understanding of regulatory systems and data (RIM, submissions, IDMP, etc.)
- Experience with governance, prioritization, and portfolio management frameworks
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance considerations (GxP vs. non-GxP)
- Ability to align innovation initiatives to strategic and operational priorities
- Behavioral & Leadership Competencies
- Strong executive stakeholder engagement and influence
- Ability to lead cross-functional governance forums and decision-making processes
- Data-driven mindset with focus on measurable outcomes and value realization
- Ability to balance structure and agility in innovation delivery
- Strong communication and storytelling capabilities for senior audiences
- Proven ability to drive cultural and behavioral change
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:
Boston, MAU.S. Base Salary Range:
$177,000.00 - $278,080.00The 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.
For information about our benefits, please click here.
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.
LocationsBoston, MAWorker TypeEmployeeWorker Sub-TypeRegularTime TypeFull timeJob Exempt
YesIt 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.Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree
- 10+ years of experience in Regulatory Affairs, Operations, or Regulatory Technology/Data
- Experience establishing or leading innovation or governance frameworks in GxP environments
- Strong understanding of regulatory systems and data, including RIM, submissions, and IDMP
- Experience with governance, prioritization, and portfolio management frameworks
- Knowledge of regulatory compliance considerations, including GxP and non-GxP
- Ability to align innovation initiatives to strategic and operational priorities
- Strong executive stakeholder engagement and influence
- Ability to lead cross-functional governance forums and decision-making processes
- Data-driven mindset focused on measurable outcomes and value realization
- Ability to balance structure and agility in innovation delivery
- Strong communication and storytelling capabilities for senior audiences
- Proven ability to drive cultural and behavioral change
- Advanced degree
Takeda Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Takeda and has not been reviewed or approved by Takeda.
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Retirement Support — Employer-funded retirement is described as notably strong, combining a dollar-for-dollar 401(k) match with an additional company contribution that scales with age and service. Access to an employee stock purchase plan further supports long-term wealth building.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid bonding leave for all parents, substantial adoption/surrogacy reimbursement, and robust caregiver resources (backup care and Maven family-forming support) are emphasized as core strengths. These offerings create a comprehensive safety net for a range of family situations.
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Healthcare Strength — Multiple medical plan options (nationwide PPO/HSA and regional HMOs), employer HSA funding, and integrated mental-health and well-being programs signal depth in coverage. Preventive care is covered in-network, and plan choices by state expand access.
Takeda Insights
What We Do
For over 240 years, Takeda’s propensity to evolve has driven the next generation of innovation, and as a future-focused organization, we’re continuing to drive forward with endurance in our steadfast pursuit to achieve the best outcomes for our patients in a rapidly changing world. We have been preparing for this period of value creation by investing in data, digital and technology, and we’re proud of our employees and their commitment to turning groundbreaking ideas into life-changing impacts. Since our founding in Japan, integrity and putting patients first have been at the heart of our identity, and we will emerge ready for our future as one of the most trusted and science-driven digital biopharmaceutical companies. Join a team where your innovation impacts lives. Together, we’ll realize improved outcomes by improving data quality, enhancing launch execution and improving the patient journey. You’ll play a critical role in accelerating data collection and increasing accuracy across all parts of the business. Patients across the globe will benefit from access to treatments afforded by greater opportunities and efficiency in our research and development.
Why Work With Us
We connect to our history and Japanese heritage through everything we do to bring our purpose, values, vision, and imperatives to life. We are committed to bringing better health and a brighter future to patients. Being a part of Takeda means having the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
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