Global Head - Small Molecule In Vitro Pharmacology (Automation)

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Role overview

Takeda is building our Lab of Tomorrow, which will create a fully automated, closed loop, AI-integrated, drug discovery platform.  As part of this build, we are seeking a Head of Small Molecule In Vitro Pharmacology. This senior leader will drive the scientific vision and operational strategy across discovery, build and lead a distributed team, and collaborate closely with cross‑functional and external partners to deliver world‑class assay capabilities, rigorous data quality, and translational pharmacology that accelerate portfolio decision making.

Purpose

Lead, define and shape the global strategy, execution, and continuous evolution of the IVP function, ensuring alignment with Takeda’s enterprise R&D priorities.

Core responsibilities

• Global strategy for in vitro pharmacology across small and large molecule programs; define and lead the global IVP strategy, aligning capabilities to R&D portfolio priorities and company objectives.

• Organize and lead a high performing, geographically distributed team of directors, managers and scientists, and operations staff; recruit, mentor, and develop leaders.
• Assay standards: set and enforce best practices for assay design, validation, miniaturization, throughput, automation readiness, and reproducibility.
• Operational excellence: establish scalable screening cascades for HTS, hit triage, SAR/DMTA profiling.
• Translational integration: ensure quantitative pharmacology readouts support hit to lead, lead optimization, candidate selection, and IND enabling decisions; serve as a key cross-functional leader in alignment with ADME, DMPK, translational sciences, and clinical biomarker teams.
• Technology investment: lead scouting and implementation for the technology infrastructure to support a highly integrated and AI-leveraged capability.
• Metrics and reporting: define team KPIs such as assay turnaround, miniaturized assay performance, data quality, and predictive value; report impact to senior R&D leadership and the executive team.
• External representation: Act as a primary external scientific leader for IVP; represent the company at alliances, conferences, advisory boards, and regulatory interactions and contribute to publications and patents.
• Business Accountability: Own resource allocation, investment decisions, and budget for the global in vitro pharmacology function; make trade-offs across programs to optimize enterprise value and pipeline progression.
• Capability and culture building: establish a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement; drive adoption of new technologies, methodologies, and ways of working

Required qualifications

• Expected: PhD in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, or related discipline with 15+ years industry experience, including progressive leadership at the discovery and early development interface.
• Proven executive leadership track record running discovery pharmacology teams with global responsibilities, budgets, and strategic outcomes.
• Deep hands-on expertise in in vitro pharmacology including biochemical and cell-based assays, target engagement, orthogonal counter-screens, and quantitative dose response analysis.
• Experience with assay miniaturization, automation, informatics and HTS readiness.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills with ability to influence cross functional and executive audiences.
• Proven ability to hire, develop and retain senior scientific leaders.

Preferred experience

• Significant leadership experience in biotech/pharmaceutical organizations with responsibility for global teams, budgets, and cross‑functional program outcomes.
• Experience with IND enabling programs and regulatory interactions.
• Familiarity with high content imaging label free techniques TR FRET SPR BLI and other biophysical modalities at scale.
• Use of advanced analytics data pipelines or machine learning to improve assay QC and predictive performance.
• Background in therapeutic areas such as oncology, neuroscience or immunology and designing translational PD and biomarker strategies.
• Prior success in global matrix organizations and leading organizational change.

What we offer

• A senior role reporting to the Global Head of Automation and Robotics, directly integrated to Takeda’s portfolio, supporting small and large molecule programs.
• Part of a senior Leadership team responsible for Sample Management, Hit Identification through DEL and HTS, IVP, High Throughput in vitro ADME and Automation.
• Competitive executive compensation equity and comprehensive benefits.
• Opportunity to build and scale a global multidisciplinary function with significant scientific and translational impact.
• Support for professional development conference participation and external scientific engagement.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The position will be based in Cambridge, MA.  This position is currently classified as “hybrid” by Takeda’s 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 job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location. 

For information about our benefits, please click here.

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Job Exempt