Head of Gastroenterology (GI) Drug Discovery Unit

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Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused company to inspire you and support your career? If so, be empowered to take charge of your future at Takeda. Join us as the Head of the GI Drug Discovery Unit reporting to the Chief Scientific Officer based in our Cambridge office.

At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to work towards their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers and work towards 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.

Here, you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

OBJECTIVES/PURPOSE

• Drive the strategic evolution of gastrointestinal and liver disease discovery research at Takeda, in partnership with GI Therapeutic Area Unit leadership

• The delivery of game-changing, highly differentiated, therapeutic opportunities for patients with liver fibrosis, rare liver diseases, and motility disorders, celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease.

• Motivation and retention of world-leading talent and the building of new expert teams as needed to realize the strategic goals

• Strategic prioritization and delivery of internal and external partnered research from new target identification and technology platform development through initial clinical proof of concept or proof of mechanism to advance GI & liver disease research portfolio

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• As a member of the Research Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the Global Head of Research, the Head, Gastroenterology Drug Discovery Unit (GI DDU) leads the strategic evolution of gastrointestinal and liver disease research area at Takeda, in partnership with GI Therapeutic Area Unit leadership

• Effectively motivates and retains top talent and, where needed, builds new expert teams to drive delivery of the aligned GI research strategy

• Leads GI & liver disease research portfolio development and delivery by supporting the GILT in defining optimal approaches for the development of highly differentiated next-generation therapeutics for patients with GI and liver disease

• Responsible for strategic prioritization and delivery of internal and external partnered research from new target identification and technology platform development through initial clinical proof of concept or proof of mechanism

• An effective partner to, and ensures alignment with, key stakeholders in other research lines, GI therapeutic area clinical and commercial teams and business development groups.

• Responsible for ensuring that all available resources are secured and effectively prioritized.

• A key member of the Research Senior Leadership Team

• Drives a diverse and inclusive “speak up” team culture encouraging open innovation at all levels of the organization

• Forms strong partnerships 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 GI disease pipeline.

• Leadership and oversight of liver disease, rare motility disorders, IBD, and celiac disease portfolio prioritization and project decision making.

• Inspires and leads a team of 150 in-house researchers from early target discovery through clinical proof of mechanism / concept, via both in house and partnered programs.

• A decision making driver and close partner of the Center for External Innovation (CEI) for the identification and assessment of external platform and pipeline opportunities in GI disease

• Is seen as an international subject matter expert and identified as a global Takeda thought leader in the field of GI disease research and keeps up with the up-to-date scientific and regulatory advances and competitive environment.

• Represents Takeda and is responsible for creating a presence in the global GI and related scientific community through scientific meetings.

• Assures and encourages diversity in supporting individual colleagues in their career development

• Provides, via the team, outstanding scientific leadership, direction and support to global GI disease product teams (including Entyvio, Alofisel) and Global Program Teams in line with their medical and scientific strategies, ensuring that all GI disease area Global Product Teams are resourced for optimal scientific support for research studies, mechanistic understanding, disease area evolution and competitive landscape understanding.

• Represents GI DDU on Research Senior Leadership Teams, GI TAU Leadership Team and at all relevant committees.

CORE ELEMENTS RELATED TO THIS ROLE
 

• Leads the GI disease research area evolution and portfolio development by defining optimal approaches for the development of truly differentiated next-generation therapeutics for patients with GI and liver disease

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:
 

• Has an advanced degree in health or life sciences (e.g., Ph.D., M.D., D.V.M.) with 20 years industry and 15 years management experience.

• Is highly knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of GI Drug Discovery, with a strong understanding through preclinical research and translational science.

• Internally and externally recognized expert in GI research and its applications within at GI therapeutic area.

• Shows cross-cultural understanding to utilize the diverse talents and has demonstrated ability to manage teams to maximize the organizational productivity.

• Has strong leadership skills and acumen, across matrix/virtual team models.

• 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 a proven track record in successfully developing and implementing business strategies.

• Has experience in scientific diligence of preclinical discovery potential partners

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” in accordance with Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy

Base Salary Range: $237,300.00 to $339,000.00, based on candidate professional experience level.  Employees may also be eligible for Short Term and Long-Term Incentive benefits as well. Employees are eligible to participate in Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), Charitable Contribution Match, Holidays, Personal Days & Vacation, Tuition Reimbursement Program and Paid Volunteer Time Off.   

WHAT TAKEDA CAN OFFER YOU: 
•    401(k) with company match and Annual Retirement Contribution Plan
•    Tuition reimbursement Company match of charitable contributions
•    Health & Wellness programs including onsite flu shots and health screenings
•    Generous time off for vacation and the option to purchase additional vacation days
•    Community Outreach Programs

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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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, MASan Diego, CAWorker TypeEmployeeWorker Sub-TypeRegularTime TypeFull time