Executive Coordinator – Research Strategy & Operations (RS&O

Job Description:

About The Role

At Takeda, we are a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By focusing R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible in order to bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.
The Executive Coordinator in Research provides high-level administrative and operational support to the Head of Research Strategy & Operations (RS&O) and the R&S O leadership team, working both independently and as a member of a fast-paced team to manage complex schedules, communications, and information flow to maximize executive productivity. This role will be supporting a leader whose remit includes steering multifaceted enterprise initiatives, including high-profile, cross-enterprise projects are building towards Takeda’s Labs of Tomorrow.

The Executive Coordinator functions as a trusted extension of the executive, exercising independent judgment, anticipating needs before they arise, and ensuring the Head of RS&O can operate with maximum focus and impact in a fast-moving environment to ensure smooth and efficient operations within the organization. The Executive Coordinator maintains the highest degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality in representing a senior leader and the Research organization in all interactions, engaging with leaders at the highest levels both internally and externally and working effectively across a matrixed organization.
The role requires strong business acumen, the ability to anticipate needs and support informed decision making, and a proactive approach to driving results. The Executive Coordinator plays a vital role in fostering organizational culture by providing trusted insights, feedback, and strategic support to senior leadership and the teams they manage.
This role requires onsite presence a minimum of three days per week.
How you will contribute

• Administrative & Executive Support Manage and maintain complex executive calendars and travel arrangements, as assigned
• Organize and support leadership meetings, functional events, and workshops/offsites, inclusive of agenda and content preparation, note-taking (making use of AI tools), and logistics
• Prepare, edit, and manage correspondence, presentations, reports, and other materials. Conduct research and compile data to support leader decision-making.
• Process purchase orders, invoices, expense reports, track expenses in line with company policies.
• Partner with both RS&O colleagues and administrative colleagues across Research, R&D and the enterprise to support leadership coordination
• Serve as an active member of the Research Admin Community of Practice (CoP), contributing to Research-wide initiatives; attend meetings and actively supports enterprise advancement by aligning with CoP processes.
• Act as a knowledge source for all colleagues in assigned function, remaining up-to-date on policies and procedures
• Support onboarding/offboarding logistics, employee development programs (e.g., trainings, promotions, etc.)
• Proactively identify opportunities to develop and standardize processes; share best practices and functional knowledge to elevate capabilities of the team
• Provide administrative support for special projects as required, working in partnership with other functional team members
• Serve as a role model and mentor to administrative colleagues

Functional Area

Coordination
Seamless operational and administrative management of a global functional area (RS&O)

• Prioritize functional leadership time toward high-value strategic decisions
• Coordinate global leadership meetings and working sessions with senior stakeholders (internal and external)
• Support planning and logistics for workshops, meetings, and offsites.
• Prepare presentations, summaries, and briefing materials for leadership.
• Support execution of transformation, continuous improvement, and change initiatives.

• High school diploma/GED required. Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of relevant work experience or equivalent, preferably within a Bio Pharma…