Director, Companion Diagnostics Medical Lead, Global Medical Affairs Oncology

Takeda Pharmaceutical Company • Cambridge, MA

4d

About The Position

As a member of the Global Medical Affairs Oncology (GMAO) Leadership Team within Takeda's Oncology Business Unit (OBU), this role is accountable for shaping the global Companion Diagnostics (CDx) and biomarker medical vision, strategy, and execution in support of Takeda's oncology portfolio. The role leads the development and implementation of holistic, end‑to‑end CDx Medical Affairs strategies across prioritized molecules and tumor types, ensuring strong alignment with pipeline priorities, precision medicine ambitions, and Takeda's commitment to bringing transformative medicines to people living with cancer. This leader will partner closely with Global and Regional Oncology Medical Affairs, Precision & Translational Medicine, Global Clinical Development, GEO, Discovery, Business Development, Commercial and Market Access, as well as the Oncology Business Unit Leadership Team and key external partners to accelerate appropriate biomarker testing and CDx adoption worldwide.

Requirements

• Demonstrated focus on patients' interest
• MD, PharmD or PhD
• 7+ years post-doctorate healthcare or related experience
• 5+ years' experience in pharmaceutical industry with at minimum 3 years of direct companion diagnostics work required.
• Previous experience with CDx product launch required
• Willingness and ability to meet and engage HCPs, labs and other direct customers
• Multiple functions experience is preferred as well as experience in global, region and affiliate level
• Demonstrated track record of success leading multidisciplinary CDx development teams within a pharmaceutical company
• Excellent oral, written, and presentation skills, including proven success in communicating ideas to build collaborative work relationships
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced, rapidly changing technology environment
• Strong interpersonal skills particularly motivational, negotiation, listening, judgment, analytic, and conflict management skills, demonstrated by ability to lead teams.
• Proven skills in negotiation, influencing without authority and working diplomatically through conflict
• Ability to proactively predict issues and solve problems
• Proven experience in and understanding of multiple regional/country markets
• Deep understanding of the brand(s)/therapeutic area and the stakeholders' needs
• Experience overseeing and managing budgets to ensure performance versus targets
• Advanced PC skills, including MS Word, Excel, Power Point, and SharePoint

Nice To Haves

• Experience in oncology and/or hematology-oncology preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for global medical strategy on Companion Diagnostics (CDx) and biomarkers across the Oncology portfolio, driving precision medicine and patient impact.
• Define enterprise‑level CDx and biomarker priorities in collaboration with Medical Affairs, Precision Medicine, Clinical Development, Commercial, Market Access, and other cross‑functional partners, ensuring alignment with portfolio and business objectives.
• Serve as a key advisor to Franchise Heads, Global Medical Affairs Teams (GMATs), Global Medical Affairs Strategy Team (GMST) leads, and regional leaders to enable cohesive, forward‑looking decision‑making.
• Influence cross‑functional strategies (evidence generation, label expansion, lifecycle management, access/testing pathways) to ensure integrated, patient‑centric approaches to biomarker testing and CDx implementation.
• Leverage AI, digital health, and emerging technologies to inform CDx strategy, identify opportunities, and optimize scenario planning and execution.
• Lead development and execution of global Medical Affairs strategies for CDx and biomarkers, ensuring readiness, evidence‑based decision making, and strong stakeholder alignment.
• Drive global medical readiness for CDx launches and lifecycle management through early, integrated planning with regions, affiliates, and alliance partners.
• Identify evidence and educational gaps (e.g., testing rates, assay performance, patient journey barriers) and design targeted strategies such as scientific education, data generation, and collaborative studies.
• Build and maintain trusted partnerships with external experts, diagnostic companies, laboratories, professional societies, and patient organizations to shape adoption of CDx and biomarker‑driven care.
• Collaborate with global and regional Patient Advocacy Group (PAG) leads to integrate patient/caregiver insights and co‑create educational initiatives supporting timely, appropriate testing and treatment decisions.

Benefits

• U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others.
• U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees