Global Head - Small Molecule In Vitro Pharmacology (Automation)

Job Description

Role overview
Takeda is building its Lab of Tomorrow, a fully automated, AI-integrated drug discovery platform. As part of this initiative, we are seeking a Head of Small Molecule In Vitro Pharmacology. This senior leader will drive the scientific vision and operational strategy across discovery, build and lead a distributed team, and collaborate closely with cross-functional and external partners to deliver world-class assay capabilities, rigorous data quality, and translational pharmacology that accelerate portfolio decision-making.

Core responsibilities

• Global strategy for in vitro pharmacology across small and large molecule programs; define and lead the global IVP strategy, aligning capabilities to R&D portfolio priorities and company objectives.
• Organize and lead a high-performing, geographically distributed team of directors, managers, and scientists, and operations staff; recruit, mentor, and develop leaders.
• Assay standards: set and enforce best practices for assay design, validation, miniaturization, throughput, automation readiness, and reproducibility.
• Operational excellence: establish scalable screening cascades for HTS, hit triage, SAR/DMTA profiling.
• Translational integration: ensure quantitative pharmacology readouts support hit to lead, lead optimization, candidate selection, and IND enabling decisions; serve as a key cross-functional leader in alignment with ADME, DMPK, translational sciences, and clinical biomarker teams.
• Technology investment: lead scouting and implementation for the technology infrastructure to support a highly integrated and AI-leveraged capability.
• Metrics and reporting: define team KPIs such as assay turnaround, miniaturized assay performance, data quality, and predictive value; report impact to senior R&D leadership and the executive team.
• External representation: Act as a primary external scientific leader for IVP; represent the company at alliances, conferences, advisory boards, and regulatory interactions and contribute to publications and patents.
• Business accountability: Own resource allocation, investment decisions, and budget for the global in vitro pharmacology function; make trade-offs across programs to optimize enterprise value and pipeline progression.
• Capability and culture building: establish a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement; drive adoption of new technologies, methodologies, and ways of working.

Required qualifications

• Expected: PhD in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or related discipline with 15+ years industry experience, including progressive leadership at the discovery and early development interface.
• Proven executive leadership track record running discovery pharmacology teams with global responsibilities, budgets, and strategic outcomes.
• Deep hands-on expertise in in vitro pharmacology including biochemical and cell-based assays, target engagement, orthogonal counter-screens, and quantitative dose response analysis.
• Experience with assay miniaturization, automation, informatics and HTS readiness.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to influence cross-functional and executive audiences.
• Proven ability to hire, develop and retain senior scientific leaders.

Preferred experience

• Significant leadership experience in biotech/pharmaceutical organizations with responsibility for global teams, budgets, and cross-functional program outcomes.
• Experience with IND enabling programs and regulatory interactions.
• Familiarity with high content imaging, label-free techniques, TR-FRET, SPR, BLI, and other biophysical modalities at scale.
• Use of advanced analytics, data pipelines, or machine learning to improve assay quality control and predictive performance.
• Background in therapeutic areas such as oncology, neuroscience, or immunology and designing translational PD and biomarker strategies.
• Prior success in global matrix organizations and leading organizational change.

What we offer

• A senior role reporting to the Global Head of Automation and Robotics, directly integrated to Takeda’s portfolio, supporting small and large molecule programs.
• Part of a senior Leadership team responsible for Sample Management, Hit Identification through DEL and HTS, IVP, High Throughput in vitro ADME and Automation.
• Competitive executive compensation and equity, comprehensive benefits.
• Opportunity to build and scale a global multidisciplinary function with significant scientific and translational impact.
• Support for professional development, conference participation, and external scientific engagement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The position will be based in Cambridge, MA. This position is currently classified as “hybrid” by Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

• Location: Boston, MA
• U.S. Base Salary Range: $212,000.00 - $333,190.00
• Short-term and long-term incentives available for U.S. based employees.
• Medical, dental, vision insurance, 401(k) plan, company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits.
• Up to 80 hours of sick time and 120 hours of paid vacation for U.S. based employees.

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment 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, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Locations

Boston, MA

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full-Time

Job Exempt

Yes