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Director Business Strategy and Enablement, Global Portfolio Strategy

Cambridge, Massachusetts
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  • Job Level: Senior
  • Travel: Minimal (if any)

Takeda has been translating science into breakthrough medicines for 240 years. Every step of the way, our teams have worked together to tackle some of the most challenging problems in drug discovery and development. Today, we’re a driving force behind innovative therapies that make a lasting difference to millions of patients around the world.

In R&D, all of our history and potential comes together in an environment that welcomes diversity of thought and amplifies every voice. Working closely with colleagues, you’ll play a key role in bringing our rich pipeline of products forward to help patients. Come join a team that’s earned trust for more than two centuries, and find out how advancing transformative therapies at Takeda will shape your bright future.

Job ID R0159289 Date posted 07/28/2025 Location Cambridge, Massachusetts

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’sPrivacy Noticeand Terms of Use. I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge.

Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as a Director, Business Strategy and Enablement, Global Portfolio Strategy in our Cambridge, MA 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 realize their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, encourage innovation, and strive 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.

POSITION OBJECTIVES:

The R&D Global Portfolio Strategy function is responsible for powering better R&D pipeline decision making. As Director, Business Strategy and Enablement, you will act as a strategic leader and thought partner, delivering insights and operational support to the broader R&D organization. This multifaceted role involves leading cross-functional efficiency programs, driving impactful solutions, and fostering strategic alignment across R&D. An accomplished pharmaceutical professional, you bring strategic, operational, and financial expertise, coupled with strong analytical and communication skills, to influence and support decision-making. This role is critical in steering initiatives that promote Takeda’s growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Drive and support multi-year strategic efficiency programs across R&D
  • Partner with R&D senior leaders to define the objectives for each of the strategic initiatives, how we are transforming, and what it will deliver short, medium, long-term
  • Develop the workplan, future process / ways of working with detailed process flow, where relevant
  • Assess, develop, and communicate impacts of new ways of working on broader business (e.g. innovation, sourcing strategy, overall timelines, cost, quality, metrics) for executive stakeholders to shape long-term strategic road map of efficiency programs
  • Apply a business mindset to drive strategic decision making
  • Incorporate external benchmarking data and insights to identify emerging trends and pinpoint potential opportunities for R&D initiatives to inform new ways of working
  • Partner with functional and portfolio leadership to identify capability needs for the organization of the future ; where new capabilities are required, conduct build versus buy assessment
  • Identify and evaluate new opportunities, technologies, and partnerships to drive innovation and enhance the company’s competitive advantage
  • Lead, develop, and present materials at key governance bodies (RMC, TET, BOD)
  • Work closely with R&D Center of Business Excellence to lead communication of R&D Efficiency Programs.
  • Develop and maintain key relationships across a broad sphere of influence, both internally and externally.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

Education & Experience

  • 10 years related experience in Pharmaceutical industry, with expertise in strategy, R&D operations, with business and financial acumen
  • Experience at a major consulting firm preferred
  • Advance degree (MBA, or equivalent) preferred

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

  • Comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry
  • Experience leading and working with cross-cultural teams.
  • Experience in supporting Value Based Healthcare
  • Strong financial planning, modeling capabilities, presentation, communication, and analytical skills

Leadership

  • Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions and cultures
  • Enterprise level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate and drive results
  • Excellent communicator, able to persuasively convey both ideas and data, verbally and in writing
  • Proven skills as an effective team player who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company
  • Ability to distil complex issues and ideas down to simple comprehensible terms
  • Executive leadership presence and confidence
  • Embraces and demonstrates a diversity and inclusion mindset and role models these behaviors for the organization

Decision-making and Autonomy

  • Broad decision-making responsibilities:
  • Ability to make highly complex decisions that impact the enterprise
  • Ability to seek diverse input from multiple constituents and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions
  • Ability to incorporate feedback and ensure decisions are made swiftly to yield flawless execution 
  • Accountable for designing and implementing vision and strategy for designated scope

Interaction

  • Effectively navigates the changing external and internal environment and leads others through change by creating and inspiring and engaging workplace

Innovation

  • Comfortable challenging the status quo and bringing forward innovative solutions
  • Ability to take risks implementing innovative solutions, accelerating time to market

Complexity

  • Ability to work in a global ecosystem (internal and external) with a high degree of complexity

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

Empowering Our People to Shine

Discover more at takedajobs.com

No Phone Calls or Recruiters Please.

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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:

USA - MA - Cambridge

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$174,500.00 - $274,230.00

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.

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-termincentives. U.S.based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S.based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

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.

Locations

USA - MA - Cambridge

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

Yes

It 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.
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During my 20-year journey here, I’ve been fully supported by my colleagues, and I can’t say enough about our rich internal talent and the long-standing values that drive our decisions as we work to develop important medicines for the patients we serve.

Doug Coffman - Head, R&D Asset Transition & Integration Office, R&D Regional & Business Operations

When making any type of decision, the first thing we ask is 'how will this impact patients?’ Ultimately, we’re laser focused on the best interests of the patient, and I truly believe we follow through on that.

Meredith Culp - VP, Head of Neuroscience Therapeutic Area Strategy & Operations and Head of Global Development Integration Office

Our culture and shared values make us like a family here at Takeda. It doesn't feel like work when you're doing something you love with people you love, and when your outcome is really fantastic.

Alison Handley, Head, Center for External Innovation

The heart of our work

Shining a light on new perspectives

What we believe in

Our values of Takeda-ism are Integrity, Fairness, Honesty and Perseverance, with Integrity as the core. These are brought to life through actions based on Patient, Trust, Reputation and Business, in that order.

Our belief in putting people first extends beyond our patients — it includes their families and communities, as well as our Takeda colleagues and their families.

We are committed to embracing our differences, valuing different perspectives, and fostering a culture of respect, inclusiveness and empowerment.

Our embedded Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) strategy enables us to attract and retain exceptional talent, drives innovation, and helps address systemic inequalities in our communities.

  • Integrity

  • Fairness

  • Honesty

  • Perseverance

Working at Takeda

  • Inclusion

    Here, you will feel welcomed, respected, and valued as a vital contributor to our global team.
  • Collaboration

    A strong, borderless team, we strive together towards our priorities and inspiring mission.
  • Innovation

    Bold initiatives, continuous improvement, and creativity are at the heart of how we bring scientific breakthroughs from the lab to patients.
  • Top Workplace

    Recognized for our culture and way of working, we’re one of only 17 companies to receive Top Global Employer® status for 2024.
  • Work-Life

    Our people-first mission extends beyond patients to include their families, communities, and our own Takeda family.
  • Empowerment

    Through trust and respect, you will have genuine support from leaders, managers, and colleagues to do your best work.

We're Steadfast In Our Commitment to Four Key Imperatives

Patient


Responsibly translate science into highly innovative medicines and accelerate access to improve lives worldwide.

People


Create an exceptional people experience.

Planet


Protect our planet.

Data & Digital


Transform Takeda into the most trusted, data-driven, outcomes-based biopharmaceutical company.

Exterior of Takeda Building

About our location

Cambridge, Massachusetts


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