Director, AIRx External Partnership Management Lead

Role: Director of AIRx CRO & External Partnerships at Takeda leads active management and strategic development of CRO relationships for AI-driven drug discovery, focusing on speed, quality, and innovation. Responsibilities: oversee CRO performance, set expectations, conduct regular site visits, manage contract negotiations, and ensure CRO outputs integrate with AI/ML data systems; identify new capability partners; monitor outsourcing spend and external landscape. Requirements: degree in life sciences or chemistry, 10+ years in pharma outsourcing/CRO management, strong network within CRO landscape, proven experience managing complex multi-CRO programs with operational rigor. HighValue: drug discovery, biologics and small molecules, early to late-stage (preclinical to clinical), emphasis on AI/ML-enabled programs, digital data standardization, international travel. WorkSetup: hybrid in Cambridge, MA, with domestic and international travel.