Chief of Staff, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Role Summary

The Chief of Staff, Pharmaceutical Sciences partners with the SVP and leadership to drive strategy, execution, and enterprise-wide transformations across global Pharmaceutical Sciences. The role focuses on increasing CMC productivity, accelerating deliverables with AI-forward initiatives, and delivering measurable value through cost optimization, process simplification, and cross-site program leadership across Boston, Vienna, and Shonan with external partners.

Responsibilities

• Drive the execution of Pharm Sci strategy to increase business performance, organizational efficiency, and speed for CMC deliverables, including AI-forward projects and mindset.
• Partner with PS, partners, and leadership to identify, prioritize, and lead enterprise-wide transformation initiatives, targeting at least 5% annual CMC productivity improvement and financially sustainable CMC costs with increasing R&D portfolio.
• Serve as the principal integrator and project leader for key cross-functional programs, ensuring alignment, transparency, and measurable value across global sites.
• Collaborate with lean experts and scientists to simplify processes and systems, improve agility, and foster a high-performance culture.
• Drive strategy, business performance, and transformation across the global Pharmaceutical Sciences organization with internal sites in Boston, Vienna, and Shonan, plus outsourcing partners.
• Lead cost optimization and business performance programs across internal and external spend in partnership with Finance, R&D, Global Manufacturing & Supply, Global Quality, and Commercial functions.
• Act as strategic partner and advisor to the SVP, Head of Pharmaceutical Sciences, executing the organization’s priorities.
• Lead and oversee a comprehensive cost optimization program, encompassing internal and external spend.
• Direct and mobilize cross-functional project teams to deliver measurable outcomes on cost, speed, and simplicity.
• Coordinate organization-wide strategic planning, communications, and progress tracking for the Pharm Sci Leadership Team, PSLT, Pharm Sci Townhalls, and stakeholder communications.
• Integrate and align senior stakeholders across Pharm Sci, Finance, R&D, GMS, and GQ to achieve collective success.
• Develop and deliver business analytics, executive presentations, and dashboards for key decision-makers.
• Cultivate a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative environment in alignment with Takeda’s values.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline (PhD, MS, or equivalent required).
• 10+ years in CMC product development or related pharmaceutical/biopharma experience with global program delivery.
• Strong expertise in cost management, business analytics, and operational excellence (Lean, Six Sigma, etc.).
• Ability to simplify complex information and communicate progress effectively; sets clear vision and mobilizes project teams.
• Outstanding communication, collaboration, and influence with senior leaders and across diverse teams.
• Outstanding judgment and ability to drive outcomes in complex, ambiguous environments; acts as a change agent for new ways of working.
• Experience delivering enterprise-wide, cross-functional programs and managing multiple global sites and interfaces.

Skills

• Exceptional analytical and quantitative capabilities
• Strategic thinking and cross-functional leadership
• Change management and stakeholder management
• Executive-level communication and presentation skills
• Lean/operational excellence training or practical experience (preferred)
• Ability to balance cost, speed, and quality in a matrix environment

Education

• PhD, MS, or equivalent in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or closely related field (required).
• A minimum of 10 years in CMC product development or relevant pharmaceutical/biopharma business experience.