Senior Director Program Management

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 cross-functional initiative is part of Takeda’s R&D of the Future program and aims to reimagine the drug development paradigm by building an interoperable, scalable, and future-ready data and technology landscape for R&D. The objective is to drive tangible value in accelerated timelines, increased quality, and improved efficiencies.

The role requires a visionary, ambitious thinker who can deconstruct current processes to reinvent the future. It integrates with other R&D of the Future initiatives, cross-functional transformations such as R&D’s Global Capability Model (GCM), and functional transformations within Global Regulatory Affairs. The role is accountable for aligning the AIDPA strategy with data and technology initiatives, ensuring R&D business priorities inform strategic data and tech decisions.

This position demands deep development and regulatory expertise, strong data/AI acumen, a 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.

Responsibilities

• AIDPA Initiative Strategy, Outcomes, and Value Realization:
  • Own the AIDPA initiative strategy, including ambition, outcomes, and KPI framework, serving as the central guiding voice for execution.
  • Translate the AIDPA vision into actionable use cases and redesigned ways of working with defined milestones and measurable impact.
  • Drive value realization and sustain momentum, including leadership accountability, business case development, ROI discipline, and transparent status reporting.
  • Hold senior stakeholders accountable for decisions, commitments, and outcomes across the AIDPA portfolio.
• Initiative Management, Use Case Delivery, Process Transformation:
  • Establish agile, fit-for-purpose decision pathways aligned with R&D of the Future processes to streamline decision-making.
  • Coordinate across workstreams, provide leadership visibility to progress and milestones, and facilitate prioritization, sequencing, and trade-off discussions.
  • Evolve agile ways of working to ensure the AIDPA initiative remains future-ready for changing technology and R&D landscapes.
• Integration across AIDPA Workstreams and the R&D of the Future Program:
  • Spearhead cross-workstream connectivity to manage interdependencies and ensure an integrated execution strategy.
  • Enable transparent communication across workstreams 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.
• Change Leadership, Communications, Adoption:
  • Champion adoption and leadership endorsement of new technologies and ways of working.
  • Influence the development of AIDPA messaging and communications to articulate strategy, progress, decisions, and realized value.
  • Partner with the R&D of the Future central team, enterprise transformation teams, and communications teams to embed AIDPA into broader R&D transformation narratives.

Requirements

• Minimum Requirements:
  • 12 years of leadership experience across R&D functions.
  • Demonstrated ability to make key program decisions, hold partners accountable, and build trust and influence across R&D functions.
  • Experience leading complex, multi-workstream portfolios requiring sequencing, prioritization, and trade-off management.
  • Proven success leading enterprise-scale, cross-functional transformations with measurable value realization.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Deep strategic and domain expertise in Research & Development and data/digital/AI fluency in an R&D context.
  • Experience integrating data/technology foundations into business process optimization and reimagined ways of working.
  • Previous partnership with data and technology organizations to deliver scalable solutions.
  • Knowledge and experience with agile ways of working.
  • Advanced degree (PhD, MBA, etc.) or equivalent.

Schedule

This position is classified as “hybrid” in accordance with Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

Pay

Location: Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range: $212,000.00 - $333,190.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on factors such as qualifications, years of relevant experience, specific skills, education, certifications, and location.

U.S.-based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-term incentives.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with company match.
• Short-term and long-term disability coverage.
• Basic life insurance.
• Tuition reimbursement program.
• Paid volunteer time off.
• Company holidays.
• Well-being benefits.
• Up to 80 hours of sick time per calendar year.
• New hires eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation per calendar year.