Director, Program Management Research Strategy & Operations

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Objective / Purpose:

The Research Strategy and Operations function is responsible for integrating scientific acumen with business analytics and processes to deliver clear business plans, operational excellence and portfolio progression for the Takeda Research pipeline.

The Director, Program Management, is an integral role on our Research program teams and organizational leader driving delivery of the portfolio. Tasked with providing core program management support and strategic partnership with Research Project Leaders, this role is accountable for establishing & driving of program strategy, goals, plans, and long-term planning aligned with the portfolio strategy. Incumbent must combine knowledge in program management, study operationalization, clinical development, finance etc. to manage Research programs from a performance and budget perspective. Actively influences senior stakeholders to drive decision-making and acts as a mentor to develop talent within program teams.

Accountabilities:                                                                                                                                                                                                  

• Collaborate with Research teams to develop and execute end-to-end program plans, including objectives, milestones, deliverables, resources, budgets, and timelines.
• Apply drug discovery expertise and program management best practices to advance programs and maximize value.
• Lead program integration across internal functions, CROs, and external partners, ensuring alignment and effective ways of working.
• Drive execution and decision readiness by clarifying assumptions, risks, scenarios, dependencies, and escalation needs.
• Maintain real-time visibility into program health, proactively identifying bottlenecks and implementing mitigation plans.
• Facilitate high-tempo, outcome-focused governance forums, including stand-ups, sprint reviews, decision meetings, and cross-functional meetings.
• Drive timely, on-strategy decisions at key milestones while maintaining flexibility in rapidly evolving environments.
• Manage multiple projects within complex programs, tracking progress and ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery of goals and milestones.
• Provide strategic insights through quantitative analysis, forecasting, commercial assessments, and portfolio alignment recommendations.
• Influence stakeholders through clear communication, effective engagement, and timely escalation to senior leadership.
• Ensure data integrity and develop transparent reporting systems, tools, and technologies that support informed decision-making.
• Establish best practices for meeting management, collaboration, reporting, and project execution.
• Ensure teams have the resources and tools required to deliver assays, contracts, decisions, and other critical outputs.
• Maintain budgetary discipline and adherence to contractual commitments.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and adoption of new methodologies, technologies, and operating models.
• Mentor Research Project Management colleagues and project teams to strengthen capabilities and performance.
• Lead Takeda-wide Program Management initiatives to scale capabilities, tools, processes, and best practices.

Education & Competencies:

• Extensive scientific knowledge with a Bachelor's degree and 18+ years, a Master's degree and 16+ years, or a PhD and 10+ years of relevant experience in a science or management-related field.
• Expected of 5-7 years of program management experience with experience in early drug discovery (e.g., target identification, hit to-lead stages) and late drug discovery (e.g., candidate stage, preclinical/IND enabling stages) in the capacity as a program manager.
• Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification required
• Focused on problem solving, troubleshooting, and issue resolution with demonstrated track record of taking initiative to resolve problems rapidly in large cross functional environments
• Structured thinker, strong organizational bias with the ability to implement structure without impacting efficiency of team
• Core planning skills with high level of discipline and thorough attention to detail
• Solid analytical thinking with preference for analysis to support decisions and a good process orientation
• Focus on results and ability to focus upon bigger picture/departmental objectives.
• Solid financial knowledge of cost-based budgeting (internal and external costs) and ability to seek out savings/efficiencies; earned value analysis and time to completion
• Strong communication skills with excellent written and verbal proficiency to communicate information succinctly, in English
• Strong competence in using Microsoft PowerPoint, Project, and Excel to above average proficiency.
• Entrepreneurial: Demonstrates perseverance, identifies, and actively pursues potential opportunities in self-motivating and self-directed manner

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:

U.S. Base Salary Range:

The 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

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Job Exempt