Director, Design & Delivery, DQS & Global Regions DDT

Takeda • Boston, MA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Head of Design & Delivery for Data & Quantitative Sciences (DQS) and Global Regions DD&T will lead the global technical product strategy across Takeda’s DQS and R&D Global Regions DD&T portfolio. This includes oversight of key domains such as Programming, Statistical Computing, Global Evidence, Quantitative Pharmacology & Translational Sciences, Pharmacovigilance and R&D Global Regions. This role is accountable for advancing Takeda’s R&D pipeline by shaping and delivering innovative, compliant, and business-aligned digital solutions. These solutions will enable data-driven decision-making, operational excellence, and regulatory success across the DQS landscape—leveraging modern, scalable, and AI-enabled technologies to accelerate the delivery of safe and effective medicines to patients. The candidate will lead a global team of product managers and collaborate cross-functionally to ensure that Takeda’s DQS & R&D Global Regions’ technology platforms are forward-looking, robust, and optimized to support faster, safer, and more efficient development outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related field; advanced degree (e.g., MBA, MS) strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in pharmaceutical R&D technology or digital product leadership roles
• Demonstrated ability to lead product teams through complex, validated environments using modern product management and agile delivery frameworks.
• Strategic thinker with outstanding leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Proven success managing global teams, product portfolios, and vendor ecosystems.
• 7 years of experience in a leadership role within a technology or product development environment.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Information Technology, Business or a related field.
• Familiarity with technology platforms such as TAGG for SAS, Sycamore, Argus, Veeva Clinical, TrackWise, Medidata, and/or modern safety signal detection and automation tools.
• Passion for transforming development operations through ethical, patient-centered innovation.
• Knowledge of current industry trends and emerging technologies within the R&D Pharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Sciences sectors.
• Knowledge of product areas and key trends associated with them.
• Knowledge of project management principles and methodologies with a proven track record in delivering complex technology projects.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
• Experience with prototyping tools and techniques.
• Demonstrated verbal and written communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Ability to manage and influence a variety of stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to manage financial and people resources across multiple business functions, portfolios, and projects.
• Ability to understand and collaborate with customer and/or business partner needs through dialogue to resolve conflict in a constructive manner, before recommending solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions and cultures
• Enterprise level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate and drive results
• Leads a domain-focused product management team within DQS & Global Regions, providing clear direction, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Owns the product strategy and roadmap for a defined set of platforms or capabilities, translating R&D and DQS strategy into executable, domain-level plans.
• Partners closely with business and technology stakeholders in their area to align priorities, manage expectations, and ensure successful delivery of product outcomes.
• Manages budgets, resources, and vendor engagements for their portfolio, optimizing value, quality, and throughput.
• Champions innovation and continuous improvement within their respective domain, piloting new technologies and ways of working and scaling successful approaches.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the strategic product roadmap supporting the Data and Quantitative Science and R&D Global Regions Strategy, including: Platforms for statistical programming (e.g., SAS, R, Python), advanced analytics, real-world evidence, quantitative pharmacology, translational sciences. Pharmacovigilance technologies (safety databases, signal detection, case processing automation, E2B compliance). Enabling automated data quality checks, scalable cloud infrastructure, and advanced analytics platforms—including AI/ML and GenAI tools—to enhance DQS decision-making, while ensuring robust governance, security, and compliance across global operations. Ensure platforms are integrated, compliant, and user-centric across all business areas.
• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing global product management team. Foster a product-driven culture grounded in Takeda’s values: Patient–Trust–Reputation–Business.
• Collaborate with senior leaders across DQS, Global Development, and IT delivery to align technology strategies with evolving business needs. Integrate emerging technologies (e.g., automation, AI/ML, NLP, digital submissions, real-time safety monitoring) into the product portfolio to drive innovation in the quantitative sciences and pharmacovigilance functions.
• Ensure all products are developed and maintained in compliance with global regulations (e.g., GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, ICH, EMA, FDA, PMDA) and Takeda’s quality and risk management standards. Work closely with architecture, engineering, quality, and data teams to ensure scalable and interoperable solutions across R&D.
• Represent DQS & Global Regions product leadership in strategic governance forums, investment planning committees, and external industry working groups as needed. Ensures alignment of product solutions to Takeda’s short and long-term goals, both tactical and strategic.
• Leads and mentors POD Owners, Technical Leads, Business Analysts, and Quality Engineers, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment. Provides guidance and coaching to team members and teams, reviewing and assessing team performance and identifying areas for improvement.
• Responsible for stakeholder management, driving cross-functional collaboration and communication to ensure smooth project/product delivery and alignment with stakeholder expectations. Handles risk management, identifying potential project/product risks and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Oversees project budgets, resource allocation, and timelines to ensure timely delivery of projects within budget and in adherence to quality standards.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

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
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees