Executive Director, Global Program Leader (GPL)

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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 an Executive Director, Global Program Leader (GPL) 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.

OBJECTIVES: 

Takeda is looking for a experienced proven drug development leader to manage an innovative immunology  ,  with ongoing plans for expansion In addition to driving the progression of the active programs, this individual will be responsible for leading the team to r for this asset.

The Global Program Leader is a seasoned drug development leader fully dedicated, responsible and accountable for overarching Global Program(s). The GPL defines the asset strategy and leads all development and Life Cycle Management projects associated with an asset from discovery to the marketplace.   The guiding framework for this role is defined by Takedas’ values of Patient-Trust-Reputation-Business. In addition to project specific responsibilities, the ED GPL may be called upon to represent the GPL community in enterprise-wide initiatives to improve speed/cost to market (e.g. innovative trial designs, improving governance processes, asset strategy etc.)

GPLs must

•  be experienced, versatile and strong enterprise leaders
•  be committed to simultaneously driving regulatory approval as well as product launch and global patient access
• have the ability to partner with all functions to drive, deliver and maximize asset value.
• be recognized as an outstanding cross-functional leader with a track-record of consistently delivering against challenging goals
• communicate effectively, be adept at taking decisions as well as facilitating joint decision making

This is best achieved by a unique fit for purpose combination of the competencies listed below. 

• Inspirational Leadership
• Strategic Vision
• Strong Analytical Credibility
• Execution Skills
• Stakeholder Relationship Management

• For a given asset, responsible for an overarching global program strategy and execution. The GPL leads all research, development, commercial and LCM activities associated with an asset from discovery to the marketplace with full accountability.
• Leads the Asset Strategy together with the commercial leader in the context of unmet medical need, competitive landscape, and key TPP attributes required to bring the product to market and to ensure global access for patients in context of Takeda’s values: Patient-Trust-Reputation-Business. This must take into consideration all development and commercial requirements as well as potential local/regional key requirements
• For a given asset, the GPL is the single leader of a cross functional team, the Global Program Team (GPT). The GPL ensures through the functional sub-teams leaders and their teams all project deliverables achieve defined project scope & objectives, budget and timelines with full functional support, keeping in mind value maximization and strong sense of the time/quality balance. 
• Provides matrix management, strategic and tactical leadership to GPT members who are responsible for leading the key deliverables of the functional sub-teams for a given asset. GPT members are directly accountable to the GPL on the sub-team objectives.
• Accountable with the  Global Program Manager for  operating budgets within the global program; leads budget setting in collaboration with functions and manages variance to budget ensuring overall Takeda financial objectives are met.
• Reports on program progress, issues, related updates, new requests for decision related to strategic scope or budget increase (new recommendations, change or buy-up) or timelines change and risks to TA Unit Head and/or the Takeda executive management governance committees  per company process.
• Manages several assets of increasing complexity (including newer platform technologies), depending on the size and stage or the programs
• Showcases the GPL leadership skills and Enterprise GPT operating model functioning and deliverables through all job attributes defined at Takeda
• May lead key business initiatives: including evaluating new opportunities and providing overall support for feasibility studies on potential global programs.
• May represent GPL community in internal development optimization initiatives such as refresh to asset strategy, innovative trial design etc.
• Promotes organizational reputation by engaging with internal and external stakeholders and collaborating actively to the GPL community

ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

Program Strategy, Activity Planning and Execution

• Oversees and leads all clinical science activities involved in interactions with FDA and other regulatory authorities and key opinion leaders relevant to assigned compounds. 
• Proactive identification of challenges and development of contingency plans as appropriate.
• Leads the Global Program Team in setting program vision, strategy, goals, priorities and long-term plans and schedules. Aligns cross-functional, cross-divisional project goals with Takeda business needs and strategies.
• Works closely with the GPM in order to provide strategic, process, and operational leadership to multiple GPTs and Takeda functions in the successful delivery of projects from discovery to commercialization and LCM activities.  Could manage 3-5 projects  across all phases of development including innovative early POM/POC in novel mechanisms with less-defined regulatory pathways through large-scale Phase III/submission projects and global launch projects.
• Links GPT cross-functional sub-teams, such as the Clinical Subteam, Commercial Subteam, Pharmaceutical Sciences (CMC) Subteam, etc. to the GPT through function-based subteam leaders to execute according to the Enterprise GPT Playbook, align and ensure transparency of all program-related activities.
• Provides leadership and support to TA Leaders and Sub-team leaders to set the vision and direction for the Therapeutic Area and prioritizes all aspects of projects within a global program.
• Reports on progress of projects, plans/plan changes, critical path, possible scenario and issues/risks/impact to TA Unit and Takeda executive management through internal or external reviews of global programs.
• Leads key business initiatives:  for example, evaluates new opportunities (i.e.: in-licensing candidates, impact of change in market conditions or availability of new project data in disease areas where Takeda has little or no previous experience) and provides overall support for feasibility studies on potential global programs-non exhaustive list

Fiscal Responsibility

• Accountable with the responsible GPM for project operating budgets within the global program; monitors and controls expenditures; manages variance between budgeted and actual expenditures of time, dollars, and personnel while meeting overall Takeda financial objectives.

Resource and Issue Management

• Responsible for evaluation of external interactions in the context of overall development strategies using complex problem solving in the region but in context of a global environment.
• Manages internal and external resources (people, information, technologies, time, and capital); allocates project resources appropriately, given division, function and individual goals and objectives to align with business imperatives.
• Proactively and regularly identifies/monitor project risks before they transform into issues and develops contingency plans; communicates timely and proactively project-related issues to senior executive management and manages issues to resolution.
• Consults with TAU, Franchise Leadership and Portfolio Office to deliver accurate and timely project status and deliverable information to enable the organization to focus on key priorities and enhance its ability to deliver work (e.g., studies/projects) on-time and on-budget (including proficient use of systems to improve reporting or access to data).

Change Management

• Proactively responds to the dynamics of a changing marketplace; directs adjustments in functional or cross-divisional plans in response to changes in strategic direction. Change management agent for the GPT.
• Contributes to the creation and maintenance of systems/databases for the purpose of tracking key performance indicators (KPIs), trending, learning, and improving decisions regarding program performance and continuance.

Matrix Team Management

• Provides mentorship to the members of the teams that they oversee. Partners with functional leaders to advise and mentor team members on professional development opportunities.
• Provides matrix management, strategic and tactical leadership to GPT members who are responsible for leading the key deliverables or functional sub-teams within individual projects. Sub-team leads are primarily accountable to the GPL. Stakeholder management is also an expectation as a result of the highly matrixed work environment.

EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: 

Required:

• Advanced scientific degree (MD, or PhD, or PharmD) 
• Minimum of 12 years related/relevant experience in the pharmaceutical industry, with deep knowledge of research and development and commercial operations
• Minimum 8 years interdisciplinary global experience with complex projects including strategy and execution and matrix team management
• Managed global marketing authorization submissions/approvals for multiple NMEs Advanced degree in science field (MD, PharmD or Ph.D.)
• Broad business/enterprise orientation with proven matrix leadership experience is highly preferred
• Passionate about developing others into future leaders

LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS:  

• Project Management Professional certification from PMI desired

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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