Senior Director, Search and Evaluation Lead, Global Oncology
Takeda
August 21, 2026
Remote friendly (Cambridge, MA)
United States
$212,000 - $333,190 USD yearly
Clinical Research and Development
About the role
The Senior Director, Oncology Search & Evaluation will advance the oncology portfolio by integrating external innovation scouting, scientific diligence, and support of disease area strategy and early asset commercial planning. This role translates scientific, clinical, regulatory, and competitive insights into actionable external innovation recommendations that inform portfolio priorities, partnership decisions, and asset value creation.
How you will contribute
- Identify, evaluate, and prioritize external oncology opportunities (discovery through commercial).
- Lead scientific, strategic, and commercial assessment of external assets (technical diligence, risk, differentiation, market attractiveness, alignment).
- Shape early-stage and pre-commercial asset strategy (target product profiles, positioning, patient segmentation, forecasting, value proposition).
- Serve as subject matter expert for oncology disease area strategy; integrate internal priorities with external trends (competitor activity, regulatory developments, emerging science).
- Build and manage a strategic opportunity funnel (thematic scouting, portfolio gap assessment).
- Assemble cross-functional diligence teams, synthesize findings, and deliver recommendations to senior leadership/governance.
- Partner with research, clinical, regulatory, commercial, analytics, and business development to guide decisions and maximize value.
- Support transaction processes (business cases, presentations, scientific input, collaboration during evaluation/negotiations).
- Monitor the oncology landscape (endpoints, trial designs, biomarkers, evolving standards of care).
- Develop competitive intelligence and opportunity tracking for planning and governance.
- Represent the organization externally at scientific/medical/partnering forums.
- Lead/influence global cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
Minimum Requirements/Qualifications
- Advanced degree in relevant discipline required; PhD/MD/PharmD or equivalent strongly preferred.
- 15+ years biotech/pharma experience, including 10+ years in oncology.
- 8+ years external innovation evaluation/scientific evaluation/business development/licensing/new product planning/portfolio strategy/early commercial strategy.
- Ability to translate scientific, clinical, regulatory, and commercial information into strategic recommendations and investment decisions.
- Strong understanding of oncology drug discovery/development, competitive dynamics, disease area strategy, and portfolio planning.
- Proven success leading cross-functional global teams and influencing senior stakeholders without direct authority.
- Excellent executive communication, strategic thinking, judgment, and stakeholder management.
- ~20% travel.
Preferred
- MBA or additional business training.
- 5+ years diligence and transaction-related experience in business development.
- Established oncology ecosystem network (biotech, academia, investors, industry partners).
- Experience representing at major scientific/partnering meetings.
The Senior Director, Oncology Search & Evaluation will advance the oncology portfolio by integrating external innovation scouting, scientific diligence, and support of disease area strategy and early asset commercial planning. This role translates scientific, clinical, regulatory, and competitive insights into actionable external innovation recommendations that inform portfolio priorities, partnership decisions, and asset value creation.
How you will contribute
- Identify, evaluate, and prioritize external oncology opportunities (discovery through commercial).
- Lead scientific, strategic, and commercial assessment of external assets (technical diligence, risk, differentiation, market attractiveness, alignment).
- Shape early-stage and pre-commercial asset strategy (target product profiles, positioning, patient segmentation, forecasting, value proposition).
- Serve as subject matter expert for oncology disease area strategy; integrate internal priorities with external trends (competitor activity, regulatory developments, emerging science).
- Build and manage a strategic opportunity funnel (thematic scouting, portfolio gap assessment).
- Assemble cross-functional diligence teams, synthesize findings, and deliver recommendations to senior leadership/governance.
- Partner with research, clinical, regulatory, commercial, analytics, and business development to guide decisions and maximize value.
- Support transaction processes (business cases, presentations, scientific input, collaboration during evaluation/negotiations).
- Monitor the oncology landscape (endpoints, trial designs, biomarkers, evolving standards of care).
- Develop competitive intelligence and opportunity tracking for planning and governance.
- Represent the organization externally at scientific/medical/partnering forums.
- Lead/influence global cross-functional teams in a matrixed environment.
Minimum Requirements/Qualifications
- Advanced degree in relevant discipline required; PhD/MD/PharmD or equivalent strongly preferred.
- 15+ years biotech/pharma experience, including 10+ years in oncology.
- 8+ years external innovation evaluation/scientific evaluation/business development/licensing/new product planning/portfolio strategy/early commercial strategy.
- Ability to translate scientific, clinical, regulatory, and commercial information into strategic recommendations and investment decisions.
- Strong understanding of oncology drug discovery/development, competitive dynamics, disease area strategy, and portfolio planning.
- Proven success leading cross-functional global teams and influencing senior stakeholders without direct authority.
- Excellent executive communication, strategic thinking, judgment, and stakeholder management.
- ~20% travel.
Preferred
- MBA or additional business training.
- 5+ years diligence and transaction-related experience in business development.
- Established oncology ecosystem network (biotech, academia, investors, industry partners).
- Experience representing at major scientific/partnering meetings.