Executive Coordinator – Research Strategy & Operations (RS&O)

Takeda•Boston, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Takeda, we are a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By focusing R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible in order to bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide. The Executive Coordinator in Research provides high-level administrative and operational support to the Head of Research Strategy & Operations (RS&O) and the R&SO leadership team, working both independently and as a member of a fast-paced team to manage complex schedules, communications, and information flow to maximize executive productivity. This role will be supporting a leader whose remit includes steering multifaceted enterprise initiatives, including high-profile, cross-enterprise projects are building towards Takeda’s Labs of Tomorrow. The Executive Coordinator functions as a trusted extension of the executive, exercising independent judgment, anticipating needs before they arise, and ensuring the Head of RS&O can operate with maximum focus and impact in a fast-moving environment to ensure smooth and efficient operations within the organization. The Executive Coordinator maintains the highest degree of professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality in representing a senior leader and the Research organization in all interactions, engaging with leaders at the highest levels both internally and externally and working effectively across a matrixed organization. The role requires strong business acumen, the ability to anticipate needs and support informed decision making, and a proactive approach to driving results. The Executive Coordinator plays a vital role in fostering organizational culture by providing trusted insights, feedback, and strategic support to senior leadership and the teams they manage. This role requires onsite presence a minimum of three days per week.

Requirements

High school diploma/GED required.
Minimum 8 years of relevant work experience or equivalent, preferably within a BioPharma environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint).
Clear, concise, and professional written and verbal communication.
Strong organizational, prioritization, and time-management skills.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
Discretion and integrity in handling confidential and/or sensitive information.
Adaptable, proactive, and efficient in a dynamic, highly visible, and fast-paced environment.
Proactive problem-solving; resourceful in anticipating needs and resolving issues effectively.
Attention to detail and commitment to quality and follow-through.
Committed to representing the organization in a professional and positive demeanor.
Strong teamwork mindset and a desire to contribute to collective success.
Ability to work effectively with global teams.
Skilled at building relationships and managing interactions diplomatically.
Work under minimal supervision; self-driven to take ownership of responsibilities and deliver impactful results.

Nice To Haves

Associate or bachelor’s degree preferred.
Experience supporting senior leaders preferred.

Responsibilities

Manage and maintain complex executive calendars and travel arrangements, as assigned
Organize and support leadership meetings, functional events, and workshops/offsites, inclusive of agenda and content preparation, note-taking (making use of AI tools), and logistics
Prepare, edit, and manage correspondence, presentations, reports, and other materials.
Conduct research and compile data to support leader decision-making.
Process purchase orders, invoices, expense reports, track expenses in line with company policies.
Partner with both RS&O colleagues and administrative colleagues across Research, R&D and the enterprise to support leadership coordination
Serve as an active member of the Research Admin Community of Practice (CoP), contributing to Research-wide initiatives; attend meetings and actively supports enterprise advancement by aligning with CoP processes.
Act as a knowledge source for all colleagues in assigned function, remaining up-to-date on policies and procedures
Support onboarding/offboarding logistics, employee development programs (e.g., trainings, promotions, etc.)
Proactively identify opportunities to develop and standardize processes; share best practices and functional knowledge to elevate capabilities of the team
Provide administrative support for special projects as required, working in partnership with other functional team members
Serve as a role model and mentor to administrative colleagues
Seamless operational and administrative management of a global functional area (RS&O)
Prioritize functional leadership time toward high-value strategic decisions
Coordinate global leadership meetings and working sessions with senior stakeholders (internal and external)
Support planning and logistics for workshops, meetings, and offsites.
Prepare presentations, summaries, and briefing materials for leadership.
Support execution of transformation, continuous improvement, and change initiatives.