Associate Director, Research Strategy Development

Overview

Associate Director, Research Strategy Development. The Research Strategy Development function integrates scientific acumen with strategic and operational capabilities to drive the vision, coherence, and execution of Takeda Research's strategy and transformation priorities, including the flagship initiative Labs of Tomorrow.

• Supports the advancement of key strategic initiatives, structuring problems, developing analytical frameworks, and ensuring outputs translate into clear, actionable recommendations aligned with enterprise goals.
• Contributes to the execution of Labs of Tomorrow and other strategic priorities, sharpening strategic recommendations and ensuring work streams remain connected to the overarching vision.
• Develops and maintains Research's multi-year strategic roadmap, contributing to scenario planning and prioritization frameworks.
• Partners with senior Research leaders to develop and evolve group-level strategies aligned with Takeda Research's broader vision.
• Bridges between individual Research groups and enterprise-wide initiatives, translating strategic direction into concrete implications for each group and surfacing group perspectives for program evolution.
• Collaborates with operational colleagues within Research groups to translate priorities into actionable plans and maintain strategic intent through handoffs.
• Produces high-quality strategy deliverables, including situation assessments, option analyses, build/buy/partner strategies, roadmaps, and executive communications.
• Monitors external developments in AI, data science, emerging scientific trends, and technology-enabled research models, translating insights into strategic implications.
• Supports governance forums, leadership reviews, and other strategy milestones, distilling complex, multi-workstream content into clear narratives for decision-making.

• Advanced degree in a life sciences discipline required;
  PhD strongly preferred, with research experience in drug discovery or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotech strategy, with exposure to drug discovery and development processes.
• Experience in management consulting or internal strategy function with a consulting operating model; ability to structure and solve complex strategic problems independently.
• Deep knowledge of drug discovery and development processes, including preclinical models and competitive dynamics in Takeda's core therapeutic areas.
• Proven ability to drive strategy initiatives from problem definition through to recommendation and execution, with bias for impact and tangible outcomes.
• Familiarity with AI, data platforms, lab automation, or technology-enabled research models as strategic topics.
• Strong ability to build trusted relationships with senior scientific leaders while contributing hands-on in a fast-moving transformation program.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize scientific, competitive, and operational data into clear, compelling recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication and storytelling skills for executive-ready narratives.
• Collaborative, curious, adaptable, and comfortable operating where strategy and execution evolve together.

The position will be based in Cambridge, MA. The role is classified as hybrid under Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

U.S. Base Salary Range: $ - $. Actual base salary offered depends on qualifications, experience, education, and location. Eligible for short-term and/or long-term incentives. Benefits may include medical, dental, vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, disability coverage, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer time off, paid holidays, and well-being benefits.

Takeda is an equal opportunity employer. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment. Takeda is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants 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, veteran status, or other protected characteristics in accordance with applicable laws.