Senior Director, AIRx Program Management

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Job Description

Takeda Research is constructing a Lab of Tomorrow built on AI automation new ways of working and talent with the singular vision of delivering differentiated medicines to the clinic at speed and cost. To catalyze these efforts Takeda is creating two complementary units: AI Research Accelerator (AIRx) and Discovery Automation & Robotics (DAR).

AIRxwill consist of a dedicated group of experienced drug hunters with the autonomy of a biotech and the resources of a leading pharmaceutical company. It is designed to incubate the future AI-powered operating models and deliver candidates to the clinic at industry leading speed and success rates.

Role Purpose

The Program Manager forAIRxserves as the operational and strategic integrator for a novel high-velocity drug discovery model designed to deliver candidates at biotech speed within a large about helping scientists decidebetterand faster. AsAIRxProgram Manager you will be the operational architect of a genuinely new model of drug discovery not inheriting someone elsesprocess butdesigning the one that the rest of Takeda Research will adopt.

This role goes beyond traditional program management in drug discovery and will set the standard for program management excellence in the new operating model. The incumbent is accountable for driving clarity decision velocity and execution rigor acrossAIRxportfolios by integrating planning governance external partnerships and resource orchestration into a cohesive operating system.

Operating within a lean highly empowered team structure this leader enables scientific teams to focus on discovery by ensuring that priorities are clear risks are surfaced early and decisions are made quickly with high-quality information.

The role also serves as a builder of theAIRxmodel codifying ways of working and shaping scalable frameworks for future Labs of Tomorrow.

Key Accountabilities

Program Leadership & Integration

• Own the integrated program strategy execution framework acrossAIRxteams ensuring alignment from concept through candidate nomination
• Translate scientific strategy and functional plans into clear actionable integrated program plans including milestones activity-level planning clear critical path and decision points
• Drive decision readiness ensuring teamsoperatewith clear assumptions risks and alternative scenarios to rapidly evolve plans based on emerging data
• Maintain real-time visibility into program health proactivelyidentifyingand resolving bottlenecks across all program domains (e.g. operational technical strategic)

Execution Excellence & Operational Rigor

• Lead end-to-end program integration integrating internal teams CRO partners and consulting functions (e.g. DMPK Safety Structural Biology IVR)
• Drive high-tempo execution through structured forums (standups sprint reviews decision meetings) that prioritize outcomes over process
• Ensure on-time on-strategy decision-making to build ormaintainmomentum across program inflections and milestones whilemaintainingflexibility in rapidly evolving environments
• Implement fit-for-purpose tools dashboards and workflows to enhance transparency and accelerate execution

Governance & Decision Enablement

• Own governance strategy and execution including preparation for PRC and executive-level discussions
• Ensure materials are decision-oriented clearly framing trade-offs risks and recommendations
• Drive lean governance minimizing overhead while maximizing clarity and speed of decision-making
• Act as a trusted partner to the Head ofAIRxand senior stakeholders in shaping program narratives

Risk Management & Proactive Leadership

• Establish a culture of early risk identification and escalation ensuring leadership visibility before issues fully materialize
• Lead structured scenario planning and mitigation strategies to protect timelines and program value
• Serve as the wide-angle lens across programsidentifyingcross-cutting risks dependencies and opportunities

External Partner & Ecosystem Management

• Oversee coordination with CROs and external collaborators ensuring clear deliverables timelines and accountability
• Optimizedata flow and handoffs across internal and external interfaces
• Ensure external partnershipsoperateat the same pace and standards asAIRxinternal teams

Financial & Resource Stewardship

• OwnAIRx-level and program-level budget tracking and forecasting ensuring disciplined use of ring-fenced funding
• Partner with the Head ofAIRxon resource allocation and prioritization aligned to program value
• Drive transparency in cost-to-milestone and investment efficiency

Operating Model Development & Scale

• Capture and codifyAIRxbest practices learnings and operating principles
• Contribute to the design of a repeatable scalable Labs of Tomorrow model
• Introduce innovative approaches including AI/ML digital tools and automation to enhance productivity and decision-making

Enterprise Leadership & Influence

• Serve as an enterprise leader within Research PM shaping best practices and raising the bar for program execution & management excellence
• Act as a bridge betweenAIRxand the broader Research organization ensuring alignment and knowledge transfer
• Mentor and influence across functions fostering a culture of accountability speed and impact

Education & Experience

• Sound scientific knowledge withBachelorsdegreewith23 years MS 21 years or PhD 15 years in Science or Management related discipline
• Expected of 810 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) certificationrequired
• Demonstrated success advancing programs from discovery through preclinical stages to IND filing/Ph1 enablement
• Experienceoperatingin fast-paced resource-constrained or biotech-like environments strongly preferred

Core Competencies

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Ability to integrate scientific operational and business inputs into coherent program strategies
• Strong systems thinker who can introduce structure without slowing teams down

Decision Orientation

• Drives clarity in ambiguity; prioritizes decisions over data accumulation
• Frames complex problems into actionable insights and trade-offs

Execution & Accountability

• Demonstrated ability to deliver in high-ambiguity high-velocity environments
• Strong bias for action with disciplined follow-through

Influence & Communication

• Exceptional communicator capable of engaging scientific operational and executive audiences
• Able to influence without authority across a complex matrix

Risk & Problem Solving

• Proactivelyidentifiesrisks early and drivestimelyescalation and resolution
• Applies structured problem-solving to complex cross-functional challenges

Entrepreneurial Mindset

• Thrives in building new models and ways of working
• Comfortable operating with limited structure and evolving direction

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The position will be based in Cambridge MA. This position is currently classified as hybrid by Takedas Hybrid and Remote Work policy

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.

For Location:

U.S. Base Salary Range:

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position years of relevant experience specific and unique skills level of education attained certifications or other professional licenses held and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/ or long-term incentives. U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical dental vision insurance a 401(k) plan and company match short-term and long-term disability coverage basic life insurance a tuition reimbursement program paid volunteer time off company holidays and well-being benefits among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive per calendar year up to 80 hours of sick time and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

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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