Head of AI & Data Strategy and Operational Excellence

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The Head of AI and Data Strategy & Operational Excellence is a leadership role accountable for defining, orchestrating, and executing the AI & Data strategy, transformation roadmap, and enterprise portfolio across Takeda. This role serves as the enterprise integrator across strategy, transformation, portfolio governance, and value realization—ensuring AI & Data investments are tightly aligned to business priorities and outcomes, executed through disciplined operating models, and translated into measurable impact.

The role also leads AI-Forward programs, including operating model evolution, ways of working, portfolio governance, and cultural change, while acting as a trusted advisor to senior business and DD&T leadership for data and AI aspirations.

How you will contribute:

• AI & Data Strategy and Transformation
  • Lead AI & Data strategy and orchestration, translating enterprise and business priorities into a coherent set of transformation initiatives and a multiyear roadmap
  • Own the AI & Data transformation, including AI forward program and its target operating model design, ways of working, and transition from current to future state
  • Serve as champion for AI & Data culture, talent evolution, fluency, and capability maturity across the organization
  • Ensure alignment between strategy, operating model, talent, and delivery capacity
• Enterprise Portfolio Management & Governance
  • Own enterprise portfolio prioritization for AI & Data initiatives, talent, and investments
  • Establish and operate outcome-based portfolio governance, including intake, prioritization, investment trade-offs, and decision forums
  • Deliver ad-hoc strategic initiatives of the DD&T, in a management or support capacity in collaboration with the Strategy arm of the AI&D
  • Lead portfolio RAID management, escalation, and executive reporting
  • Drive Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), KPIs, Annual Goals, and performance tracking to ensure transparency, accountability, and value realization
• Operating Model, Financial & People Stewardship
  • Provide oversight for people and financial management across the Strategy & Portfolio pillar, including budgets, investments, vendors, and operating expenses
  • Ensure financial discipline while enabling agility, innovation, and scale
  • Partner with Finance, Transformation, and Procurement to optimize AI & Data investments and vendor strategy
• Enterprise Integration & Influence
  • Act as the single point of orchestration for AI & Data strategy and portfolio discussions across DD&T and enterprise governance bodies
  • Maintain strong alignment with Business Units, DD&T teams, Transformation Office and extended teams
  • Enable cohesive enterprise storytelling for AI & Data strategy, priorities, and impact
  • Drive alignment of data and AI fluency goals in partnership with ICC-led chapter and capability leaders

• Enterprise AI & Data Strategy &
  
  Roadmap:
  
  Define, maintain, and evolve the AI & Data strategy with partnering with AI & data foundation leads and aligned to Takeda priorities
• Portfolio Governance:
  Ensure disciplined, transparent, and outcome-driven decision-making across AI & Data investments
• Value Realization:
  Track and communicate business impact, benefits, and risks to senior leadership
• Change & Culture:
  Drive adoption of AI-native ways of working and enterprise fluency
• Stakeholder Leadership:
  Serve as a trusted advisor and integrator across business, technology, and transformation stakeholders

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

• Deep understanding of AI, data, analytics, and emerging technologies (including GenAI and agentic patterns)
• Strong expertise in enterprise strategy, portfolio management, and operating model design
• Proven experience with agile delivery models, governance frameworks, and performance management

Strong financial acumen, including investment…