Strategic Initiatives Lead, JOBU

Job Description

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Job Description

Please note this job requires business level Japanese language command not only in speaking, business writing and reading.

Introduction of Takeda / タケダの紹介

タケダでは常に患者さんを中心に考え、世界中の人々により健やかで輝かしい未来をお届けすることを目指してきました。そして従業員一人ひとりにそれぞれの能力と熱意に応じた成長の機会を提供することにも組んで取り組んでいます。私たちと一緒に、世界中の人々のいのちに貢献し、さらなる成長と活躍を目指しませんか。

タケダは業界を牽引するグローバルリーダーです。従業員は四つの優先順位(患者さん中心、社会との信頼関係構築、レピュテーションの向上、事業の発展)とタケダイズム(誠実=公正・正直・不屈)のもと一致団結しています。タケダイズムは私たちの信念であり正しい方向へ導く羅針盤です。私たちは日々の業務においてタケダイズムを体現しています。

Takeda is unwavering in our commitment to patients. With the patient at the center of everything we do, we continue to innovate and drive changes that will better their lives-we ’ re looking for like-minded professionals to join us.

Takeda is a global industry leader – we are united by our four priorities (Patients, Trust, Reputation, and Business) and our shared values of Takeda-ism: Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Person. Takeda-ism is more than just a word. It's a belief and a mindset which guides our decisions, behaviors, and interactions. It's how we drive to work and live, every day.

OBJECTIVE

The Strategic Initiatives Lead plays a key role in shaping and advancing strategic initiatives that contribute to the mid-to-long-term growth of the Japan Oncology Business Unit (JOBU). Reporting to the Head of Business Strategy & Operation, this role is responsible for identifying growth opportunities, strengthening the business model, and enhancing organizational strategic capabilities through collaboration and knowledge sharing across multiple departments.

This position requires both strategic thinking and strong relationship-building skills. He/she supports initiatives from ideation to execution, ensuring progress and outcomes through effective collaboration and influence. By engaging multiple stakeholders and securing buy-in across functions, he/she helps promote strategic clarity and alignment, while enabling capability development within the organization.

The role provides the opportunity to contribute directly to JOBU’s business evolution, expand strategic expertise across the team, and foster sustainable growth in a dynamic environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Support the establishment of the mid-long term organizational vision and strategy, and its translation to strategic projects

• Support the Head of Business Strategy & Operation in shaping JOBU’s mid-to-long-term vision and strategy, in alignment with the Head of JOBU and other senior members
• Design and implement communication approaches that sustain team motivation and alignment, fostering shared understanding and engagement
• Translate organizational vision and strategic priorities into actionable initiatives, ensuring alignment across key stakeholders and effective use of resources

Enable and support Business Strategy functions

• Support the Head of Business Strategy & Operation in resource allocation, prioritization, and team engagement to ensure progress toward strategic goals
• Provide oversight and coaching for strategic projects, including reviewing deliverables, guiding sub-function leads, and supporting prioritization and resourcing decisions
• Contribute to building organizational capabilities by sharing frameworks, best practices, and strategic insights

Lead and coordinate cross-functional / company-wide strategic initiatives as a PMO of JOBU

• Drive execution of high-priority initiatives that are critical to JOBU’s future growth, while ensuring alignment across the broader project portfolio
• Establish a PMO framework that strengthens project management capabilities and enables effective prioritization and coordination across initiatives
• Guide project teams to ensure successful delivery of objectives, advise on interdependencies, and serve as escalation point for risk/issue resolution
• Coach and mentor team members to enhance strategic and project management capabilities across the organization

REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree or above. Science background is a plus. MBA is preferred.

Experience

• 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, life sciences, or related industries
• Experience in strategy, business planning, or transformation projects (consulting or in-house)
• Experience in Oncology commercial or medical affairs is a plus
• Demonstrated ability to work across functions and influence stakeholders in a matrix environment

Knowledge and Skills

• Strategic thinking: Ability to analyze complex business challenges, design strategic solutions, and translate them into actionable plans
• Relationship-building & leadership influence: Proven ability to build trust, gain buy-in, and align diverse stakeholders at all organizational levels, both within and outside the company
• Communication expertise: Ability to clearly convey strategic concepts and implications, and to manage communication that supports motivation and alignment across teams
• Capability building: Passion for enabling organizational growth by sharing knowledge, coaching colleagues, and embedding strategic skills across the team
• Project management: Experience leading cross-functional initiatives, managing timelines, resources, and risks while keeping organizational priorities aligned
• Resilience under pressure: Self-driven with a track record of maintaining focus and achieving objectives in fast-paced environments

Languages

• Japanese: Native or advanced business level proficiency
• English: Business level proficiency

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Better Health, Brighter Future

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary:

• Allowances: Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.
• Salary Increase: Annually, Bonus Payment: Twice a year
• Working Hours: Headquarters (Osaka/ Tokyo) 9:00-17:30, Production Sites (Osaka/ Yamaguchi) 8:00-16:45, (Narita) 8:30-17:15, Research Site (Kanagawa) 9:00-17:45
• Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)
• Paid Leaves: Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.
• Flexible Work Styles: Flextime, Telework
• Benefits: Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.

Important Notice concerning working conditions:

• It is possible the job scope may change at the company’s discretion.
• It is possible the department and workplace may change at the company’s discretion.

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