Senior Director, AIRx Program Management

Job Description

Takeda Research is constructing a Lab of Tomorrow built on AI, automation, new ways of working, and talent with the singular vision of delivering differentiated medicines to the clinic at speed and cost. To catalyze these efforts, Takeda is creating two complementary units: AI Research Accelerator (AIRx) and Lab Automation & Transformation (LAT).

AIRx will consist of a dedicated group of experienced drug hunters with the autonomy of a biotech and the resources of a leading pharmaceutical company. It is designed to incubate the future AI‑powered operating models and deliver candidates to the clinic at industry leading speed and success rates.

The Program Manager for AIRx serves as the operational and strategic integrator for a novel, high‑velocity drug discovery model designed to deliver candidates at biotech speed within a large enterprise. This role is about helping scientists decide better, and faster. As AIRx Program Manager, you will be the operational architect of a genuinely new model of drug discovery — not inheriting someone else’s process, but designing the one that the rest of Takeda Research will adopt.

This role goes beyond traditional program management in drug discovery and will set the standard for program management excellence in the new operating model. The incumbent is accountable for driving clarity, decision velocity, and execution rigor across AIRx portfolios by integrating planning, governance, external partnerships, and resource orchestration into a cohesive operating system.

Operating within a lean, highly empowered team structure, this leader enables scientific teams to focus on discovery by ensuring that priorities are clear, risks are surfaced early, and decisions are made quickly with high‑quality information.

The role also serves as a builder of the AIRx model, codifying ways of working and shaping scalable frameworks for future Labs of Tomorrow.

• Own the integrated program strategy execution framework across AIRx teams, ensuring alignment from concept through candidate nomination
• Translate scientific strategy and functional plans into clear, actionable integrated program plans, including milestones, activity‑level planning, clear critical path, and decision points
• Drive decision readiness, ensuring teams operate with clear assumptions, risks, and alternative scenarios to rapidly evolve plans based on emerging data
• Maintain real‑time visibility into program health, proactively identifying and resolving bottlenecks across all program domains (e.g., operational, technical, strategic)

• Lead end‑to‑end program integration, integrating internal teams, CRO partners, and consulting functions (e.g., DMPK, Safety, Structural Biology, IVR)
• Drive high‑tempo execution through structured forums (standups, sprint reviews, decision meetings) that prioritize outcomes over process
• Ensure on‑time, on‑strategy decision‑making to build or maintain momentum across program inflections and milestones while maintaining flexibility in rapidly evolving environments
• Implement fit‑for‑purpose tools, dashboards, and workflows to enhance transparency and accelerate execution

• Own governance strategy and execution, including preparation for PRC and executive‑level discussions
• Ensure materials are decision‑oriented, clearly framing trade‑offs, risks, and recommendations
• Drive lean governance, minimizing overhead while maximizing clarity and speed of decision‑making
• Act as a trusted partner to the Head of AIRx and senior stakeholders in shaping program narratives

• Establish a culture of early risk identification and escalation, ensuring leadership visibility before issues fully materialize
• Lead structured scenario planning and mitigation strategies to protect timelines and program value
• Serve as the “wide‑angle lens” across programs, identifying cross‑cutting risks, dependencies, and opportunities

• Oversee coordination with CROs and external collaborators, ensuring clear deliverables,…