Director, Program Management

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Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as a Director, Program Management in our Cambridge office.

At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to realize their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, encourage innovation, and strive for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Here, you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

Objective / Purpose:

The Research Strategy and Operations function is responsible for integrating scientific acumen with business analytics and processes to deliver clear business plans, operational excellence and portfolio progression for the Takeda Research pipeline.

The Director, Program Management is an integral role on our Research program teams and organizational leader driving delivery of the portfolio. Tasked with providing core program management support and strategic partnership with Research Project Leaders, this role is accountable for establishing & driving of program strategy, goals, plans, and long-term planning aligned with the portfolio strategy. Incumbent must combine knowledge in program management, study operationalization, clinical development, finance etc. to manage Research programs from a performance and budget perspective. Actively influences senior stakeholders to drive decision-making and acts as a mentor to develop talent within program teams.

Accountabilities:                                                                                                                                                                                                  

• Collaborates Research project teams to develop comprehensive end-to-end program plans, including defining objectives, milestones, and measurable deliverables.
• Provides expert guidance on the drug discovery process and applies best practices in program management to advance programs.
• Manages multiple projects as part of complex programs to maximize value generation
• Provides strategic insights on overall program, team, and operational performance to ensure portfolio alignment, program prioritization, and issue escalation are addressed efficiently.
• Drives execution of program plans and critical decision making, while taking accountability for ‘on time, on budget’ delivery of program goals & milestones
• Provides expert guidance on budget planning, forecasting, and leverages quantitative analytics to forecast time and cost to goals & milestones.
• Influences key stakeholders through effective communication and strategic engagement to drive decision making and program progression.
• Support/manage cross-functional meetings, including scheduling logistics, the creation and distribution of meeting agendas and minutes, and drive completion of action items.
• Set the standards for and develop best practices for meeting management and cross-functional collaboration.
• Support development and implementation of new ways of working and technologies to enhance project infrastructure, data flow, and reporting.
• Ensure data integrity to support accurate reporting and communications.
• Track progress against project plans and ensures project teams/stakeholders have the tools necessary to deliver assays/contracts/decisions, etc.
• Manage stakeholder communication in support of project execution and issue escalation.
• Provide mentorship within Research PM community and within project teams to develop talent and enhance team performance.
• Drives continuous improvement activities for all project management processes. Accountable for good budgetary disciplines and adherence to contractual commitments.
• Leads development and implementation of advanced systems and technologies to ensure rigor, consistency, and transparency in program reporting, facilitating informed decision-making.
• Conducts high-level commercial assessments at project inception and continues through key milestones to align with business objectives.
• Proactively identifies program risks and implements mitigation plans to prevent issues, ensuring timely communication with senior executive management.
• Drives innovation in research methodologies and ensures the adoption of best practices in project management and execution.
• Manages to Takeda-wide Program Management initiatives, supporting the development and scaling of capabilities, tools, and processes.

Education & Competencies:

• Sound scientific knowledge with Bachelor’s degree 18 years, MS 16 years or PhD 10 years in Science or Management related discipline
• Expected of 5-7 years of program management experience with experience in early drug discovery (e.g., target identification, hit to-lead stages) and late drug discovery (e.g., candidate stage, preclinical/IND enabling stages) in the capacity as a program manager.
• Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification required
• Focused on problem solving, troubleshooting, and issue resolution with demonstrated track record of taking initiative to resolve problems rapidly in large cross functional environments
• Structured thinker, strong organizational bias with the ability to implement structure without impacting efficiency of team
• Core planning skills with high level of discipline and thorough attention to detail
• Solid analytical thinking with preference for analysis to support decisions and a good process orientation
• Focus on results and ability to focus upon bigger picture/departmental objectives.
• Solid financial knowledge of cost-based budgeting (internal and external costs) and ability to seek out savings/efficiencies; earned value analysis and time to completion
• Strong communication skills with excellent written and verbal proficiency to communicate information succinctly, in English
• Strong competence in using Microsoft PowerPoint, Project, and Excel to above average proficiency.
• Entrepreneurial: Demonstrates perseverance, identifies, and actively pursues potential opportunities in self-motivating and self-directed manner

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

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

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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. 

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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.

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