Director Inflammatory Disease Drug Discovery - Immunology

Role Summary

Director Inflammatory Disease Drug Discovery - Immunology leads a biology-focused drug discovery group within Takeda’s GI-Drug Discovery Unit, building and guiding a pipeline of therapeutics for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Responsible for target identification through candidate selection, team leadership, and strategic alignment with cross-functional partners to advance preclinical and early clinical programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead a research group focused on drug development from target identification through candidate selection for inflammatory diseases.
• Recruit, retain, and develop a large team of in vitro and in vivo biologists to understand molecular, cellular, and organ-level drivers of inflammatory disease and identify drug candidates.
• Serve as a scientific thought leader within the Drug Discovery Unit, building a robust preclinical and early clinical pipeline for inflammatory diseases in a matrixed environment.
• Set discovery portfolio goals for high-priority autoimmune diseases and ensure alignment with stakeholders across inflammatory disease research, clinical development, and Takeda teams.
• Define preclinical elements of multiple drug discovery programs in partnership with other leaders and the early clinical development team.
• Interface with the Center for External Innovation to identify external opportunities and perform due diligence on external inflammatory disease opportunities.
• Maintain Takeda’s culture of creativity, open communication, collaboration, and urgency, upholding high scientific standards in the drug discovery process.

Qualifications

• PhD in Immunology or related discipline with 10+ years of drug development experience in biopharmaceuticals; or MS with 16+ years, or BS with 18+ years.
• Expert scientific knowledge in autoimmune and inflammatory disease research, with experience in lymphocyte biology preferred.
• Extensive experience in exploratory drug development, leading programs in small molecules and/or biologics.
• At least 10 years of direct line management and cross-functional project leadership experience.
• Deep knowledge across inflammation disease drug discovery from discovery through candidate selection/IND, including regulatory documentation.
• Strong cross-cultural understanding and ability to manage matrix teams to maximize productivity.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication; capable of leading matrixed teams with external collaborators.
• Significant experience in BD diligence activities in the preclinical discovery function.

Skills

• Leadership: proven ability to lead cross-functional, cross-regional teams; strong leadership presence and conflict resolution.
• Interaction: ability to build relationships, negotiate, and collaborate with internal and external partners.
• Innovation: creative scientific thinker with familiarity with emerging technologies and competitive landscape awareness.

Education

• PhD in Immunology or closely related field; 10+ years drug development experience; or MS with 16+ years, or BS with 18+ years.
• Expert knowledge in autoimmune and inflammatory disease research; experience with lymphocyte biology is highly desired.
• Experience leading programs through IND readiness and regulatory documentation.

Additional Requirements

• Location: Cambridge, MA; hybrid work arrangement.