Head of GCM Transition

Job Description

Head of GCM Transition is responsible for leading end-to-end planning and execution of transitions of services, capabilities, and roles into the GCM, enabling Takeda’s shift to a globally scaled, capability-led operating model. The role builds and directs cross-functional transition teams to deliver complex, multi-wave transitions while ensuring business continuity, effective risk mitigation, and readiness for steady-state operations within GCM. Serving as the primary escalation and integration point between Business Units and GCM teams, the role drives alignment, resolves issues, and ensures consistent execution of GCM transition strategies, including lift & shift, transformation, and insourcing approaches.

Accountabilities

• Transition Strategy & Advisory
• Define and own the enterprise transition approach, phasing, and wave sequencing aligned with GCM priorities and business objectives
• Ensure alignment of transition strategy with enterprise governance, location strategy, regulatory requirements, and capacity constraints
• Advise senior BU/BF leadership on the best possible implementation of GCM, including transition strategy (lift & shift vs. transform), approach, risks, and interdependencies
• Establish and drive value realization frameworks, delivering measurable outcomes such as process standardization, cost efficiencies, and service level improvements
• Transition Capability Development
• Build and shape a global, best-in-class transition capability and team
• Define and evolve transition methods, playbooks, tools, governance frameworks and standards across GCM
• Leverage technology and AI-enabled solutions to enhance scalability, transparency, and compliance in transition delivery
• Leadership & Team Development
• Lead and develop high-performing, cross-functional, multi-geography teams
• Define clear roles, responsibilities, and ways of working to enable effective transition delivery at scale
• Build leadership capability and succession pipelines within the transition organization
• Ensure strong collaboration across BU/BF, GCM, and Service Delivery teams
• Enterprise Transition Execution
• Own end-to-end planning and execution of large scale multi-wave transitions across functions and geographies
• Develop and oversee integrated transition plans covering scope, timelines, dependencies, financials, milestones, risks, regulatory requirements, and mitigation actions
• Drive on-time, on-budget delivery while adhering to compliance, quality, and audit requirements
• Ensure consistent execution of GCM transition strategies
• Stakeholder & Governance Management
• Serve as primary escalation point between BU/BF and GCM teams, ensuring timely decision-making and issue resolution
• Drive alignment with global standards, governance frameworks, and enterprise decision-making forums
• Risk, Stabilization & Operational Readiness
• Oversee risk management framework with strong focus on compliance and business continuity, knowledge transfer strategy and ensure sustainable capability transfer to GCM teams
• Ensure operational readiness through structured readiness testing (SRT), cutover planning, and business continuity validation
• Define and lead hypercare approach, success criteria, and exit conditions following go-live
• Ensure smooth transition to steady-state operations with established SLAs and performance baselines
• Organization Change and Adoption
• Lead enterprise change management strategy, including stakeholder engagement, communications, and adoption planning across global teams
• Ensure effective knowledge transfer and sustained adoption of compliant processes, systems, and ways of working

Education & Competencies

• Experience:
• Minimum 12+ years of progressive experience in transition management, shared services, or Global Business Services (GBS) / Global Capability Centers (GCC)
• Proven track record leading complex, large-scale, multi-wave transitions simultaneously across multiple functions and geographies
• Strong leadership and people management experience, with demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and lead cross-functional teams in large-scale transformation environments
• Experience in building and leading a transition team to set up a global GCC
• Functional knowledge and experience in business functions such as R&D, commercial, supply chain, and corporate function
• Proven experience in planning, coordinating, and managing organizational change across business units, functions, and markets
• Technical Competencies:
• Strong understanding of transition methodologies and global operating models
• Demonstrated expertise in transition planning and execution, including knowledge transfer (KT), structured readiness testing (SRT), cutover, hypercare and adoption
• Functional and end-to-end process expertise in one or more areas
• Experience in establishing methods, frameworks, and tools, including use of technology and AI
• Solid financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to explain assumptions, manage transition costs and drive economic value
• Behavioral Competencies:
• Ability to influence cross-functional partners and stakeholders in a highly matrixed, global organization
• Ability to operate effectively in complex, ambiguous environments to drive alignment and execution across diverse teams
• Demonstrate leadership, problem solving, risk management, and decision-making skills to communicate goals and drive results

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required
• Advanced degree in Business, Supply Chain, Life Sciences, or related field preferred

Languages

• Fully fluent in English

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.