Lead, R&D and Portfolio Communications

Role Summary

Lead, Research & Development (R&D) and Portfolio Communications (Associate Director Level) in Cambridge, MA. The R&D and Portfolio Communications team leads communications for Takeda’s pipeline and marketed/established brands portfolio across specific therapeutic areas. The individual in this role will be empowered to create, implement, unify, and deploy Takeda’s external and internal positioning to protect and enhance our reputation. This position plays a crucial role in ensuring our communications align with our mission to provide life-transforming treatments.

Responsibilities

• Execute comprehensive communication planning, agile strategies, and continuous monitoring across Takeda’s marketed brands portfolio and pipeline.
• Develop and build a center of excellence for therapeutic issues and crisis communications, including a robust framework for readiness and response capabilities.
• Proactively manage therapeutic lifecycle and program changes, craft messaging, mitigate emerging risks, and protect Takeda’s reputation.
• Enable a “One Takeda” approach to ensure consistency in our communications across external/internal stakeholders, regions, and therapeutic programs.
• Develop and maintain relevant communications frameworks, template resources, a best practice messaging library, and leverage Agentic AI/AI agents to support regional and country-level Takeda communications team members.
• Serve as a trusted communications counsel for relevant cross-functional partners and project teams; work closely with Global Issues Communications, regional/country, and Therapeutic Area Communications teams as needed.
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including commercial, regulatory, legal, R&D, and medical affairs, to ensure cohesive communication strategies.
• Success in this role will be measured by the effectiveness of communication strategies, media coverage, and the ability to manage and mitigate complex issues.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience at a corporation or consultancy, with expertise in corporate, product, executive, and/or international communications.
• Experience supporting or managing therapeutic brands, as well as managing issues and building corporate reputation, is required.
• Experience in the biopharmaceutical industry and knowledge of regulatory requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; strong interpersonal skills required.
• Experience leveraging AI tools, data-driven decision making, and digital resources to drive operational efficiencies is preferred.
• Healthcare industry experience required; experience supporting marketed therapeutic brand communications is preferred.

Skills

• Product, issues, and crisis communications
• Strategic communication planning and storytelling
• Cross-functional collaboration
• AI tools and technology for communications efficiency
• Regulatory and regulatory-compliant messaging understanding

Education

• Bachelor’s degree required.

Additional Requirements

• Travel: Up to 10% travel.