OBJECTIVE:

• The Senior Director Inflammation Drug Discovery will be responsible for driving internal and external partnered research from new target identification and novel drug candidate development through early clinical proof-of-concept, to create game-changing therapeutic opportunities for patients with immunology and/or inflammation driven diseases.
• A key part of this role is the identification of novel innovative inflammation drug discovery and developmental science through the preclinical pipeline in support of candidate selection. The appointee will be accountable for defining and alignment on the preclinical and early clinical disease research elements of the Therapeutic Area strategy in partnership with other research leaders.
• The Senior Director Inflammation Drug Discovery will help set the discovery portfolio goals and assures alignment with key stakeholders in inflammatory disease research, and the clinical development team, and other Takeda stakeholders.
• The Senior Director Inflammation Drug Discovery appointee will interface with the business development group and help review external innovation,
• The candidate will recruit, retain, and develop a world class, highly innovative research organization.
• The appointee will help maintain the Takeda culture that promotes creativity, open communication, collaboration, collegiality, and a high sense of urgency. Maintain the highest quality of scientific foundations of the company’s drug discovery process.

ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

• The Senior Director Inflammation Drug Discovery appointee will be a scientific research thought leader within the Drug Discovery Unit (DDU), working within a highly matrixed environment to build a strong and sustainable preclinical and early clinical Inflammation disease therapeutic pipeline.
• Forms a strong partnership with clinical and commercial team colleagues for disease area strategic alignment and is accountability for formulation and delivery of mid-long term innovative strategies to build a sustainable and innovative Inflammation disease area pipeline
• The Senior Director Inflammation Drug Discovery will lead a team of researchers in early target discovery through candidate selection and assist the Project team through early clinical proof-of-concept.
• The candidate will partner with the therapeutic area Translational team in the development and delivery of robust early development plans supporting programs through early clinical proof-of-concept.
• The appointee will partner with the Center for External Innovation at Takeda for the identification and assessment of external platform and pipeline opportunities and be accountable for due diligence evaluation and recommendations on external opportunities in Inflammation diseases.
• Is seen as an international subject matter expert and identified as a global Takeda thought leader in the field of Inflammatory disease research and keeps up up-to-date with scientific, drug discovery and development and the external competitive environment.
• Represents Takeda and fosters a presence in the global inflammation and immunology scientific community through scientific meetings.
• Ensures and encourages diversity and supports individual colleagues and their reports in career development.
• Ensure that all Inflammation disease area Global Product Teams are resourced for optimal scientific support for research studies, mechanistic understanding, disease area evolution and competitive landscape understanding.
• Provides nuanced and well-informed advice to senior stakeholders about the GI and Inflammation therapeutic landscape, providing direction on where the science will lead.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• PhD degree in immunology or closely related discipline with 15+ years' experience; 9 years of Industry experience required; 9 years of managerial experience required
• Expert scientific knowledge and experience in the areas of Inflammation and autoimmunity/inflammation is required.
• Highly experienced in drug target validation and exploratory drug development. Proven biopharmaceutical industry experience developing and leading innovative therapeutic programs with expertise in one or more drug modality
• Is highly knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of Inflammation disease drug discovery and through to POC, including contributing to regulatory documentation.
• Shows cross-cultural understanding to utilize the diverse talents and has demonstrated ability to manage matrix teams to maximize the organizational productivity.
• Has strong leadership skills and acumen.
• 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 significant experience of participation in diligence activities in the preclinical discovery function

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Travel Requirements: 10-20% (in and outside US) to reach partnership network

• The position will be based in Cambridge, MA.This position is currently classified as “hybrid” by Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

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.