Director Inflammatory Disease Drug Discovery - Immunology

Role Summary

Director Inflammatory Disease Drug Discovery leads biology and cross-functional drug discovery efforts to establish and drive a preclinical/early clinical pipeline for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The role builds and manages a large, multinational team of in vitro and in vivo researchers, defines discovery portfolio goals, partners with translational and external innovation functions, and influences senior stakeholders across Takeda’s GI and Inflammation programs. The position requires a strategic scientific leader who fosters collaboration, innovation, and high-quality scientific foundations within a matrixed organization.

Responsibilities

• Form a strong partnership with clinical and commercial teams for disease-area strategic alignment and deliver mid-to-long-term innovative strategies for an inflammation pipeline.
• Lead a team of researchers in early target discovery through candidate selection and collaborate with translational teams on robust early development plans.
• Partner with the Center for External Innovation to identify external platform opportunities and perform due diligence on external inflammation opportunities.
• Maintain Takeda’s culture of creativity, open communication, collaboration, and urgency, upholding high scientific standards in the drug discovery process.
• Interface with business development to identify strategically important external opportunities.
• Represent Takeda in the global inflammation and immunology scientific community and ensure diversity and career development within the group.
• Ensure Global Product Teams in inflammation are resourced for scientific support, mechanism understanding, and competitive landscape awareness.
• Provide informed guidance to senior stakeholders on the GI and Inflammation therapeutic landscape and future scientific directions.

Qualifications

• Required: PhD in Immunology or related discipline with 10+ years of drug development experience in biopharma; or MS with 16+ years, or BS with 18+ years.
• Required: Expert scientific knowledge in autoimmune and inflammatory disease research; experience in lymphocyte biology is highly desired.
• Required: Extensive experience in exploratory drug development and leading innovative therapeutic programs; expertise in small molecules and/or biologics.
• Required: 10 years of direct line management and cross-functional project leadership experience.
• Required: Deep involvement in inflammation disease drug discovery through to candidate selection/IND and contribution to regulatory documentation.
• Required: Strong cross-cultural understanding and ability to manage matrix teams; excellent leadership skills and English communication.
• Required: Ability to lead a matrixed team of Takeda scientists and external collaborators; significant BD diligence experience in preclinical discovery.
• Preferred: Demonstrated ability to build cross-functional teams across regions and to influence strategy at senior levels.

Education

• PhD in Immunology or closely related discipline with 10+ years drug development experience; or MS with 16+ years; or BS with 18+ years.

Skills

• Creative scientific thinking with understanding of emerging technologies in disease understanding and human-focused drug development.
• Strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and excellent communication (oral, presentation, and written).
• Ability to distill complex issues and lead in a matrixed, multinational environment.
• Network-building across internal Takeda functions and external partners; negotiation and conflict-resolution abilities.
• Innovation mindset with willingness to take calculated risks and drive organizational change.

Additional Requirements

• The position will be based in Cambridge, MA. This position is currently classified as “hybrid” by Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.