Senior Director Inflammatory Disease Drug Discovery
Location: Boston
Posted on: June 23, 2025
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Job Description:
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that all information I submit in my employment application is true
to the best of my knowledge. Job Description At Takeda, we are a
forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks
innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By
focusing R&D efforts on three therapeutic areas and other
targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible to
bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide. Objective /
Purpose: The GI2-Drug Discovery Unit at Takeda is building a new
team of experienced, innovative and collaborative drug discovery
scientists to build an industry-leading portfolio of drugs for
autoimmune inflammatory diseases with high unmet medical need. We
are seeking a senior leader with significant experience in building
and leading biology and cross-functional drug discovery teamsto
establish a new group focused on chronic autoimmune diseases. The
Senior Director Inflammatory Drug Discovery Will be responsible for
developing industry-leading therapeutics for patients with
autoimmune inflammatory diseases by building and leading a large
research group focused on drug development from target
identification through to candidate selection. Will recruit,
retain, and develop a large team of world class, highly innovative
in vitro and in vivo research biologists focused on understanding
the molecular, cellular and organ-level drivers of inflammatory
disease processes, and identifying and developing drug candidates.
Will be scientific research thought leader within the Drug
Discovery Unit (DDU), working within a highly matrixed environment
to build an industry-leading preclinical and early clinical
therapeutic pipeline forInflammatory Diseases. Will set the
discovery portfolio goals for high priority autoimmune diseases and
ensure alignment with key stakeholders in inflammatory disease
research, the clinical development team, and other Takeda
stakeholders. Will be accountable for defining the preclinical
elements of multiple drug discovery programs, in partnership with
other research leaders across Takeda and the early clinical
development team within the GI2 Therapeutic Area. Will interface
with the business development group to identify strategically
important innovative external opportunities Will help maintain the
Takeda culture that promotes creativity, open communication,
collaboration, collegiality, and a high sense of urgency. Maintain
the highest quality of scientific foundations of the company’s drug
discovery process. Accountabilities: Forms a strong partnership
with clinical and commercial team colleagues for disease area
strategic alignment and is accountability for formulation and
delivery of mid-long term innovative strategies to build a
sustainable and innovative Inflammation disease area pipeline The
Senior Director Inflammation Drug Discovery will lead a team of
researchers in early target discovery through candidate selection
and partner with the therapeutic area Translational team in the
development and delivery of robust early development plans
supporting programs through early clinical proof-of-concept. The
appointee will partner with the Center for External Innovation at
Takeda for the identification and assessment of external platform
and pipeline opportunities and be accountable for due diligence
evaluation and recommendations on external opportunities in
Inflammation diseases. Is seen as an international subject matter
expert and identified as a global Takeda thought leader in the
field of Inflammatory disease research and keeps up up-to-date with
scientific, drug discovery and development and the external
competitive environment. Represents Takeda and fosters a presence
in the global inflammation and immunology scientific community
through scientific meetings. Ensures and encourages diversity and
supports individual colleagues and their reports in career
development. Ensure that all Inflammation disease area Global
Product Teams are resourced for optimal scientific support for
research studies, mechanistic understanding, disease area evolution
and competitive landscape understanding. Provides nuanced and
well-informed advice to senior stakeholders about the GI and
Inflammation therapeutic landscape, providing direction on where
the science will lead. Apply in-depth understanding of mechanism
driving disease progression and current therapeutic approaches to
develop novel therapeutic strategies for autoimmune and/or
rheumatological diseases Investigate the underlying mechanisms of
autoimmune diseases and the molecular and cellular processes that
lead to autoimmunity. Lead innovative therapeutic programs,
including the development of small molecules and biologics aimed at
modulating the immune system to treat autoimmune conditions.
Identify and validate mechanistically relevant translational
biomarkers for autoimmune diseases to support early clinical
development Translate target-specific scientific findings into
clinical applications, including the development of new therapeutic
strategies and interventions for autoimmune diseases. Contribute to
regulatory documentation for inflammation disease drug discovery
through to candidate selection/IND. Lead a matrixed team comprised
of scientists from within Takeda as well as external collaborators.
Participate in BD diligence activities in the preclinical discovery
function Leadership: Creative, collaborative, proactive and
confident individual with proven leadership qualities, as
demonstrated by performance. Demonstrated ability to work across
functions, regions and cultures and adheres to Takeda’s values of
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Excellent communicator, able to
persuasively convey both ideas and data, orally, in presentation
and written format 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 Builds teams across functions and geographies with
individuals who have the right skills and experience to deliver on
key organizational initiatives. Education & Competencies (Technical
and Behavioral): Educational Background : PhD degree in Immunology
or a closely related discipline with 15 years of drug development
experience in highly competitive biopharmaceutical companies.
Scientific Expertise : Expert scientific knowledge in autoimmune
disease research with experience in B cell biology such as B cell
development, differentiation, activation and/or T-cell licensing
and their role in autoimmune disease pathogenesis Drug Development
Experience : Highly experienced in exploratory drug development
with proven biopharmaceutical industry experience leading
innovative therapeutic programs and expertise in small molecule
and/or biologics drug development. Management Experience : 9 years
of direct line management and cross-functional project leadership
experience required (10 plus preferred). Industry Experience : 9
years of industry experience required (10 plus preferred).
Inflammation Disease Knowledge : Highly knowledgeable and
experienced in all aspects of Inflammation Disease drug discovery
through to candidate selection/IND, including contributing to
regulatory documentation. Cross-Cultural Understanding : Shows
cross-cultural understanding to utilize diverse talents and has
demonstrated ability to manage matrix teams to maximize
organizational productivity. Leadership Skills : Has strong
leadership skills and acumen. Communication Skills : Excellent
written and verbal communication skills in English. Team Leadership
: Capable of leading a matrixed team comprised of scientists from
within Takeda as well as external collaborators. BD Diligence
Experience : Significant experience in participation in BD
diligence activities in the preclinical discovery function.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Travel Requirements: 10-20% (in and outside
US) to reach partnership network 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: Boston, MA U.S.
Base Salary Range: $208,200.00 - $327,140.00 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. U.S. based employees may be
eligible for short-term and/or long-termincentives. 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. Locations Boston, MA Worker Type
Employee Worker Sub-Type Regular Time Type Full time Job Exempt Yes
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie
detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment.
An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal
penalties and civil liability.
Keywords: , Westfield , Senior Director Inflammatory Disease Drug Discovery, Science, Research & Development , Boston, Massachusetts
