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Job DescriptionABOUT THE ROLE
Takeda is transforming how medicines are discovered, developed and delivered by embedding AI, advanced data platforms and lab automation directly into the heart of R&D in our Labs of Tomorrow. Built on more than 240 years of scientific heritage our discovery engine connects computational science, wet lab innovation and product thinking to unlock new biology, design the next ground-breaking medicines and accelerate patient impact.
Takeda Research is seeking a experienced, dynamic, and strategic-minded, Head of Research Strategy & Operations, Japan to lead business operations, strategic planning, and Labs of Tomorrow transformation for Research in Japan. Reporting to the Global Head of Strategy & Operations for Research, this leader will ensure the organization evolves with clarity, discipline, cross functional collaboration and strong alignment to global priorities.
This is a high-impact enterprise leadership role at the intersection of strategy, operations, finance, and transformation. This leader will act as a senior partner across Japan and global teams, shaping priorities, and representing Research Japan in critical cross-functional and leadership forums that drive portfolio impact.
The successful candidate will combine strategic judgment, operational excellence, financial acumen, and the ability to lead globally through complexity and change.
HOW YOU WILL CONTRIBUTE
Strategy & Business Operations
- Implements the operational strategy and business management of Research Japan aligning with the global ONE Research strategy.
- Align Japan Research operations with global priorities, operating models, and organizational standards while ensuring effective local execution.
- Oversee core governance, operating rhythms, and organizational reporting to drive clarity, accountability, and business performance.
- Identify operational risks and issues, drive resolution, and provide senior leadership with clear visibility and recommendations.
Financial Planning & Business Performance
- Work with the Research Operations team to drive annual planning, budgeting, headcount planning, and financial forecasting for Research Japan in partnership with Finance.
- Translate scientific, operational, and financial data into decision-ready business reviews and investment cases for senior leadership.
- Monitor performance against plan, identify risks and trade-offs, and recommend actions to optimize resources and delivery.
Executive Communications & Leadership Support
- Develop high-quality executive materials, business updates, and strategic narratives for senior leadership forums.
- Provide strategic counsel to senior leaders by framing issues clearly, anticipating decision needs, and coordinating inputs across functions.
- Support organization-wide communications that reinforce priorities, progress, and change across Research Japan.
Transformation & Change Leadership
- Lead the design and adoption of new ways of working, operating models, and processes that support Takeda Research’s Labs of Tomorrow ambition.
- Leads Research’s Japan integration in to the digital transformation strategy.
- Partner with transformation leaders and functional stakeholders to align enterprise initiatives, manage change impacts, and embed sustainable improvements.
- Build organizational readiness for change by driving engagement, execution discipline, and adoption across the Japan research organization.
SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Required
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in life sciences, business, or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
- Significant leadership experience in strategy, operations, transformation, or business management within pharma, biotech, or life sciences.
- Strong track record leading complex business operations and enterprise change in a matrixed, global environment.
- Strong financial acumen, including experience with strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, and investment case development.
- Excellent executive communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complexity into clear, decision-oriented narratives.
- Fluency in Japanese and English, written and verbal.
- Experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology research operations, R&D governance, or lab operating models.
- Experience leading transformation initiatives involving process simplification, digital enablement, or new operating models.
Preferred
- Familiarity with global research organizations and the Japan-global operating environment.
- Experience with digital transformation programs.
Leadership Profile
- Strategic and enterprise-minded, with the ability to translate long-term priorities into operational execution.
- Decisive and accountable, with sound judgment in complex and ambiguous environments.
- Influential across functions and cultures, able to build alignment and momentum in a matrixed global organization.
- Change-oriented, with a demonstrated ability to lead transformation and embed new ways of working.
- Clear, credible, and effective with senior stakeholders, with strong executive presence and communication skills.
- Values-led and highly collaborative, with the ability to build trusted partnerships and lead through influence across a complex global organization.
ABOUT TAKEDA RESEARCH
Takeda is a patient-focused, values-based R&D-driven biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Japan. Our Research organization is at the frontier of discovering innovative therapies that address the world’s most pressing unmet medical needs. The Labs of Tomorrow initiative represents our commitment to reimagining how research is done — harnessing new science, new technologies, and new ways of working to accelerate the path from discovery to patient impact.
Japan is a strategically important part of Takeda’s global research network. We are committed to creating an environment where scientific talent can thrive and deliver meaningful impact for patients.
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.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree or higher in life sciences, business, or a related field
- Significant leadership experience in strategy, operations, transformation, or business management within pharma, biotech, or life sciences
- Experience leading complex business operations and enterprise change in a matrixed, global environment
- Strong financial acumen, including strategic planning, budgeting, forecasting, and investment case development
- Excellent executive communication skills and ability to synthesize complex information into decision-oriented narratives
- Fluency in Japanese and English, written and verbal
- Experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology research operations, R&D governance, or lab operating models
- Experience leading transformation initiatives involving process simplification, digital enablement, or new operating models
- Advanced degree
- Familiarity with global research organizations and the Japan-global operating environment
- Experience with digital transformation programs
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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