Head, Global R&D Policy and Innovation

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Job Description

About the Role

As the Head, Global R&D Policy & Innovation, you will lead Takeda’s Global R&D Policy and Innovation function and be accountable for the overall strategy, priorities, operating model, talent, resources, external influence, and impact of GRPI. You will set the enterprise regulatory policy agenda; ensure complementary Global Regulatory Asset Policy, Global R&D Policy, regional policy, and strategic regulatory intelligence and research capabilities operate as one function; and represent GRPI in senior GRA, R&D, and enterprise governance.

How You Will Contribute

• Set the vision, strategy, priorities, decision rights, investment choices, and operating model for GRPI in alignment with Takeda, R&D, and GRA priorities.
• Determine the enterprise regulatory policy agenda and where Takeda should lead, partner, challenge, or monitor; make final GRPI prioritization and escalation decisions.
• Oversee Global Regulatory Asset Policy and Global R&D Policy as complementary capabilities, ensuring asset-derived issues inform enterprise priorities and enterprise policy creates practical value for the portfolio.
• Lead the GRPI senior leadership team; set expectations for regional policy, intelligence and research, resource deployment, quality, and measurable impact.
• Represent GRPI in senior GRA, R&D, therapeutic area, and enterprise governance and provide decision-ready advice on consequential regulatory, legislative, geopolitical, scientific, and innovation issues impacting R&D.
• Own GRPI’s senior external influence strategy and the most consequential health authority, trade association, coalition, academic, and policy relationships, delegating issue leadership where appropriate.
• Ensure senior Takeda leaders are proactively informed and advised on consequential regulatory and R&D policy developments, emerging risks and opportunities, and Takeda positions; oversee GRPI’s ongoing leadership briefing cadence and ensure leaders are strategically prepared for priority external engagements.
• Personally advise and prepare senior executives for the most consequential external engagements and policy decisions, ensuring clear objectives, aligned Takeda positions, appropriate context, and a coordinated external strategy.
• Serve as a close strategic partner to the Heads of US Public Affairs, International Public Affairs, and Regulatory Legal to ensure regulatory policy, public policy, legal, and advocacy strategies are developed in lock step; establish shared positions and coordinated engagement on priority R&D issues; and resolve differences in strategy, ownership, or external approach early.
• Build and sustain organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, GCM and partner strategy, knowledge systems, and disciplined resource allocation.
• Ensure GRPI demonstrates impact through earlier asset support, clear ownership of enterprise priorities, faster deployment of expertise, and greater focus on differentiated policy, research, and strategic engagement.

Skills and Qualifications

• 20+ years of progressively responsible experience, including senior leadership of global regulatory policy, regulatory strategy, R&D policy, external affairs, or related biopharmaceutical work.
• Demonstrated enterprise leadership across a broad global portfolio, including senior executive influence, organizational design, talent leadership, prioritization, and resource trade-offs.
• Deep understanding of global drug development, regulatory systems, policy and advocacy, and how external change affects portfolio and enterprise strategy.
• Strong strategic judgment and ability to translate complex scientific, regulatory, legislative, or policy issues into clear recommendations for the intended audience.
• Demonstrated ability to work across regions and functions, influence without authority, and maintain momentum in a matrixed organization.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and sound judgment in external engagement.
• Demonstrates Takeda Leadership Behaviors: Think Strategically, Inspire Others, Deliver Priorities, and Elevate Capabilities.

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:

Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$238,000.00 - $374,000.00

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. 

For information about our benefits, please click here.

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

Boston, MA

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

YesIt 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.