Sr. Director Transformation Lead

Job Description
About the Role

The AI and Data-Driven Path to Approval (AIDPA) Initiative Lead is accountable for the strategy, execution, and value realization of the AI and Data transformation in development. This is a cross-functional Initiative, is part of Takeda’s R&D of the Future program, and aims to reimagine the drug development paradigm through building an interoperable, scalable, and future-ready data and technology landscape for R&D.

The objective is to truly reimagine drug development and drive tangible value in accelerated timelines, increased quality, and improved efficiencies. The role requires a visionary, ambitious thinker who can decostruct processes of today to reinvent the future.

This role is also accountable to integrate with other R&D of the Future Initiatives, other cross-functional transformations, such as R&D’s Global Capability Model (GCM) transformation, and other functional transformations within Global Regulatory Affairs. This includes being accountable for integrating the AIDPA strategy and execution with Data and Technology Initiatives within R&D of the Future, such as developing the R&D business priorities that will inform the data and tech strategic priorities.

The role requires deep development and regulatory expertise, strong data/AI acumen, deep understanding of global capability models, and the ability to lead complex, cross-functional change—connecting business objectives, data, and technology to deliver measurable impact.

The role operates as the cross‑R&D point of accountability for AIDPA strategy, integration, and delivery. It provides a strong central voice to align leaders and manage interdependencies, roadblocks, and trade‑off decisions. This leader will work to hold R&D leadership accountable for decision‑making and value realization and to hold teams accountable for delivery.

This position reports to Chief Regulatory Officer and partners closely with the Head of R&D of the Future, other R&D of the Future Initiatives, leaders of R&D functions, data and technology teams, and enterprise stakeholders to ensure the initiative vision translates into embedded AI/automation and redesigned processes that drive value for R&D.

• Own AIDPA initiative strategy, including ambition, outcomes, and KPI framework, serving as guiding central voice that enables work streams to execute.
• Ensure the AIDPA vision is translated into actionable use cases and redesigned ways of working, with defined milestones and measurable impact.
• Drive value realization and sustain momentum for AIDPA, including leadership accountability, business case development, ongoing ROI discipline, and visibility to transparent status and performance.
• Drive senior stakeholders to be accountable for decisions, commitments, and outcomes across the AIDPA portfolio.

• Establish agile, fit‑for‑purpose decision pathways, aligned with R&D of the Future processes, to streamline decision‑making and ensure agility and forward progress.
• Coordinate across work streams, provide leadership visibility to progress and milestones, and facilitate prioritization, sequencing, and trade‑off discussions.
• Evolve agile ways of working to support AIDPA evolution over time to be future‑ready for changing technology and R&D landscapes.

• Spearhead cross‑workstream connectivity to manage interdependencies, ensure integrated execution strategy where applicable, and maximize delivery momentum.
• Enable transparent communication across work streams for visibility to coordinate, share learnings, avoid duplication, and track joint value realization.
• Coordinate AIDPA input into end‑to‑end lean process redesign incorporating technology, to improve cycle time, quality, compliance, and productivity.

• Champion adoption and leadership endorsement of new technologies and ways of working.
• Influence development of AIDPA messaging and communications to articulate strategy, progress,…