Head of Global Biologics

Job Description

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Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company to inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as Head of Global Biologics 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 accomplish 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/PURPOSE

• The Head of Global Biologics will be based in Cambridge, MA, and will report to Takeda’s Global Head of Research. The leader will be responsible for defining the vision and strategies for a world-class biologics research organization. You will lead a world-class team developing differentiated therapeutic biologics molecules, ranging from conventional immunoglobulin molecules to novel scaffolds, and with various functional modalities, including cell therapies. This team will provide internal expertise in molecular biology, protein- and cell line-engineering, antibody discovery/optimization/production, and analytics, and will leverage an extensive set of complementary external platforms and CROs..
• The Head of Global Biologics will be responsible for providing expert guidance on the biologics asset strategy for all of Takeda’s core therapeutic areas (Oncology, GI diseases, Neuroscience, and Rare Diseases) and will partner with other functional leaders to deploy resources to programs according to their prioritization within the Global Research portfolio. The leader will organize a Community of Practice for Biologics within Global Takeda that allows for information sharing, leveraging of expertise, and adaptation of best practices. In close collaboration with Toxicology, DMPK, and CMC teams, the leader will ensure the seamless transition of candidate molecules from Discovery into Development. Additionally, the leader will help identify and evaluate new technologies, in-licensing opportunities, and collaborations, and will deploy resources as necessary to support exploratory efforts in new modalities, including alternative antibody scaffolds.
• This leader serves on Research Senior Leadership Team (RSLT), establishes biologics platform strategy and manages resources to ensure efficient progression of pipeline programs, confidence in biologic capabilities and a focus on asset quality in Research.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Reports to Global Head of Research and manages a team of scientists focused on developing a portfolio of cutting-edge Biologics molecules for Takeda’s core therapeutic areas of Oncology, GI, Neuroscience, and Rare Diseases.
• Sets vision and implements strategies for a world class biologics research organization.
• Leads a Community of Practice for Biologics within Global Takeda and champions Biologics in Takeda, and effectively communicates with internal and external stakeholders and senior leaders.
• Collaborates with Takeda’s Drug Discovery Unit (DDU) Heads to establish asset strategies, determine prioritization and resourcing, and align on timelines.
• In alignment with DDU Heads, supports high-priority external partnerships and collaborations focused on Biologics modalities.
• Establishes a professional tracking system for Biologics assets and programs, and provides monthly (and when necessary ‘real-time’) updates to Takeda’s senior leaders on the Global Biologics portfolio, resource allocation, and timelines.
• Establishes an operational model that optimizes the utilization of external platforms and CROs to achieve industry-standard timelines with the flexibility to minimize bottlenecks by scaling resources according to program needs.
• Provides support for exploratory efforts on alternative antigen binding scaffolds.
• Enables implementation of novel scaffolds, antigen binders and large molecules (recombinant proteins) to enable novel therapeutic development
• Provides support for innovative functional screens in the most relevant biological context including chimeric antigen receptors or the like expressed in cells.
• Establishes or provides access to all the necessary competencies to advance molecules from hit-finding to lead optimization to candidate/backup selection and IND.
• Provides leadership, strategic oversight, resource management, and organizational framework to ensure timely achievement of pipeline goals.
• Provides functional leadership for DDS including developing strategic plans, ownership of budget and ensuring DDS has the right capabilities to deliver.
• Creates external professional networks and represents Takeda in collaborations partnerships and at external events.

DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

• Comprehensive understanding of drug discovery, the pharmaceutical industry and cutting edge biologics platform science, technologies and process development.

Leadership

• Operates with an enterprise mindset, embodied by collaboratively working with partners across the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions and cultures
• Functional level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate and drive results
• Excellent communicator, able to persuasively convey both ideas and data, verbally and in writing
• Proven skills as an effective team player who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company
• Ability to distil complex issues and ideas down to simple comprehensible terms
• Demonstrates leadership presence and confidence
• Embraces and demonstrates a diversity and inclusion mindset and role models these behaviors for the organization
• Builds teams across functions and geographies with individuals who have the right skills and experience to deliver on key organizational initiatives.
• Invests time in helping others to enhance their skills and perform at a higher level

Decision-making and Autonomy

• Decision making responsibilities:
  • Provides input to highly complex decisions that impact the functional area
  • Accountable for decision making for designated function
  • Ability to seek diverse input from multiple constituents and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions
  • Ability to incorporate feedback and ensure decisions are implemented swiftly to yield flawless execution
• Accountable for providing input to and implementing vision and strategy for designated scope

Interaction

• Effectively navigates the changing external and internal environment and leads others through change by creating an inspiring and engaging workplace
• Cultivates a broad network of relationships throughout Takeda, with affiliates and external partners, in the industry and area of expertise.
• Effectively represents function in negotiations with the ability to resolve conflict in a constructive manner
• Ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with other interfacing Takeda functions

Innovation

• Forward thinking with the ability to recommend, influence and implement organizational change and continuous innovation
• Comfortable challenging the status quo and bringing forward innovative solutions
• Ability to take risks implementing innovative solutions, accelerating time to market
• Identifies opportunities and anticipates changes in the business landscape through an understanding and ongoing assessment of the environment affecting the business.
• Role models respect and inclusion, creating a culture that fosters innovation

Complexity

• Ability to work in a global ecosystem (internal and external) with a high degree of complexity
• Deep expertise required
• Ability to see and understand broader, enterprise level perspective

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

• Ph.D. in Life Science with thesis, publication(s), postdoctoral experience, and a minimum of 15 years industry experience with at least 10 years of leadership/managerial experience.
• Knowledgeable and experienced in all areas of drug discovery from target discovery and identification through lead selection, preclinical research and preclinical development.
• Knowledgeable about the requirements to progress a biologic through development from Pharmaceutical Sciences/CMC perspective and able to establish appropriately staged molecule and process assessments during early phases of pre-clinical development of the therapeutic.
• Successful leadership of biological target and drug discovery program(s), specifically including therapeutic antibodies and other large molecules, from discovery phase to clinical candidates.
• Recognized leader and expert with a track record in advancing Biologics programs through IND filings to clinical development.
• Track record of accomplishment in antibody research as evidenced by quality and quantity of publications/inventions.
• Fluent in antibody and antigen binder discovery, screening methods and applications.
• Recognized expert in biologics research and its applications within at least two therapeutic areas.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation, organization, and synthesis of large amounts of data for presentation to internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high performing, productive team(s).
• Demonstrated proficiency in administrative skills.
• Direct experience in the pharmaceutical industry or related field required
• Previous experience leading a medium to large organization and influencing senior-level management and key stakeholders is a plus
• Proven track record of leading and driving business process transformation and organizational culture change as well as delivering on programs with complex business deliverables
• Track record of successful leadership, management, and development of large, multi-disciplinary globally dispersed teams. Strong judge of talent with the ability to make tough talent decisions.
• Health care business acumen with a comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willingness to travel to various meetings or client sites, including overnight trips.
• Some international travel may be required
• Requires approximately 15% or more travel

Absent an approved religious or medical reason, all US office-based and lab-based Takeda employees who work fully on-site or in a hybrid model (as determined by Takeda) must be fully vaccinated to work at a Takeda site or to engage with Takeda colleagues or anyone else on behalf of Takeda. US field-based employees must be fully vaccinated as a condition of employment, absent an approved religious or medical reason. US employees who work at a Takeda manufacturing facility, and those who work at a BioLife center or BioLife lab, may be subject to different guidelines. If you are contacted by a Takeda recruiter about your job application, we encourage you to seek more information on the applicable guidelines for the Business Unit/Function to which you have applied.

This job posting excludes CO applicants.

• WHAT TAKEDA CAN OFFER YOU:
• 401(k) with company match and Annual Retirement Contribution Plan
• Tuition reimbursement Company match of charitable contributions
• Health & Wellness programs including onsite flu shots and health screenings
• Generous time off for vacation and the option to purchase additional vacation days
• Community Outreach Programs

Discover more at takedajobs.com

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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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