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Job DescriptionHead of China External Innovation
About the Role
Takeda is seeking a strategic and externally oriented leader to drive external innovation activities in China and help translate emerging opportunities into portfolio and enterprise value. This role will identify, assess, and advance external opportunities across assets, platforms, and technologies aligned with Takeda’s therapeutic area and capability priorities.
This role sits within Strategy and Portfolio Development (SPD) and reports to the Head of External Portfolio Innovation. As part of SPD, the Head of China External Innovation will help shape Takeda’s external innovation strategy in China by proactively scouting opportunities, generating actionable market and portfolio insight, leading or supporting evaluation and diligence activities, and partnering closely with stakeholders across Research, Development, Commercial, Global Business Development, and regional and global leadership teams.
This is a highly visible role for a leader who combines strong scientific and business judgment, deep knowledge of the China biopharma ecosystem, excellent external presence, and the ability to influence internal prioritization in a highly matrixed global environment. The role serves as a strategic partner to global transaction leads and is responsible for recommending opportunities and influencing prioritization of China-originated external innovation opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
Lead Takeda’s external innovation activities in China, aligned with enterprise strategy and portfolio priorities.
Build and maintain a strong network across the China biopharma, academic, investor, and innovation ecosystem to enhance Takeda’s access to high-value opportunities and strengthen Takeda’s position as a partner of choice.
Proactively scout, identify, and evaluate external opportunities across assets, platforms, and technologies relevant to Takeda’s therapeutic area and capability priorities.
Generate and synthesize scientific, clinical, commercial, and ecosystem insights to inform strategic planning and portfolio decision-making.
Lead or support search and evaluation activities, including opportunity landscaping, competitive intelligence, technical assessment, and strategic fit analysis.
Recommend partnership, licensing, collaboration, investment, and other external innovation opportunities supported by clear scientific and strategic rationale.
Recommend opportunities and influence prioritization of China-originated external innovation opportunities.
Partner closely with global transaction leads by providing China market insight, scientific perspective, ecosystem connectivity, and support during opportunity assessment, diligence, and transaction shaping.
Represent Takeda at scientific, business, and partnering forums in China and internationally, acting as an ambassador for Takeda’s strategic interests and external innovation priorities.
What Success Looks Like
In this role, success will include:
Building a high-quality pipeline of China-originated external opportunities aligned with Takeda’s strategic priorities
Generating clear and actionable insight to inform portfolio and external innovation strategy
Enabling rigorous, efficient evaluation and due diligence for prioritized opportunities
Influencing prioritization and governance decisions through strong recommendations and stakeholder engagement
Strengthening Takeda’s reputation and visibility in the China innovation ecosystem
Advancing external opportunities in close partnership with global transaction leads and cross-functional stakeholders
Required Qualifications
Advanced degree required, such as PhD, MD, or equivalent advanced scientific, medical, or business qualification
Minimum of 15 years of relevant industry experience, including leadership roles spanning China and global or regional responsibilities
Significant experience in biotech, biopharma, venture capital, business development, consulting, or related life sciences environments
Strong understanding of drug discovery, development, and external innovation, with the ability to assess assets, platforms, and technologies
Demonstrated experience in search and evaluation, external innovation, business development support, due diligence, or related strategic activities
Deep knowledge of the China biopharma ecosystem and a strong external network across relevant stakeholders
Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders in a matrixed organization
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex assessments into clear recommendations for leadership
Fluency in English and Mandarin; Mandarin speaking capability is required
Preferred Qualifications
MBA or other additional business qualification
Experience supporting governance discussions and portfolio prioritization for external opportunities
Experience assessing clinical-stage and/or platform-based opportunities across multiple therapeutic or technology areas
Experience working across China, regional, and global organizations in a highly collaborative environment
Demonstrated success representing an organization externally in partnering, scientific, or investor settings
Leadership Capabilities
Strategic thinker with strong scientific, business, and ecosystem judgment
Able to identify high-potential opportunities and translate complex external signals into actionable recommendations
Effective collaborator across scientific, business, and regional/global stakeholder groups
Skilled at influencing without authority in highly matrixed environments
Strong executive presence and credibility internally and externally
Comfortable navigating ambiguity, competing priorities, and evolving strategic needs
Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, resilience, and high ethical standards
Location and Travel
This role is based in China. Travel is expected domestically and internationally based on business needs.
Skills Required
- Advanced degree such as PhD, MD, or equivalent advanced scientific, medical, or business qualification
- At least 15 years of relevant industry experience, including China and global or regional leadership responsibilities
- Significant experience in biotech, biopharma, venture capital, business development, consulting, or related life sciences environments
- Strong understanding of drug discovery, development, and external innovation
- Experience in search and evaluation, external innovation, business development support, due diligence, or related strategic activities
- Deep knowledge of the China biopharma ecosystem and a strong external network
- Ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders in a matrixed organization
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including synthesizing complex assessments into clear recommendations
- Fluency in English and Mandarin; Mandarin speaking capability is required
- MBA or other additional business qualification
- Experience supporting governance discussions and portfolio prioritization for external opportunities
- Experience assessing clinical-stage or platform-based opportunities across multiple therapeutic or technology areas
- Experience across China, regional, and global organizations
- Success representing an organization externally in partnering, scientific, or investor settings
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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