Global Head, Strategic Research Outsourcing

Takeda • Boston, MA

34d

About The Position

Objective / Purpose: The Head of Strategic Research Outsourcing serves as the enterprise‑level leader responsible for shaping and executing the long‑term external innovation and outsourcing strategy across Research. This role leads the organization’s efforts to design, govern, and optimize a global network of Contract Research Organizations (CROs) to advance Takeda’s discovery and preclinical research portfolio. Operating at the intersection of science, business strategy, and external partnership management, this leader ensures that Takeda’s outsourced research model is a competitive advantage — enabling scalable innovation, operational excellence, and strategic alignment with evolving research priorities. The role has direct managerial responsibility for the teams overseeing early discovery chemistry, preclinical CRO management, and other outsourced research modalities, ensuring that each team is empowered, high‑performing, and future‑focused.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Ph.D. strongly preferred) in Chemistry, Life Sciences, or a related scientific discipline; MBA or equivalent business training is an asset.
• 12–15+ years of pharmaceutical/biotech R&D experience, including extensive leadership experience managing outsourced research or strategic partnerships.
• Demonstrated success designing and executing large‑scale outsourcing strategies across discovery or preclinical research.
• Prior responsibility for managing scientific teams and external partners across global geographies.
• Deep understanding of discovery and preclinical R&D workflows, including externalized chemistry, pharmacology, DMPK, and related CRO capabilities.
• Expertise in vendor strategy, scientific operations, governance models, and partnership frameworks.
• Strong command of strategic planning, risk assessment, contracting, and performance management.
• Strategic thinker capable of shaping long‑term vision and driving enterprise-level transformation.
• Exceptional enterprise and matrix leadership, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills.
• Highly collaborative, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and navigate matrixed environments.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to translate complex scientific and business concepts for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple high‑stakes initiatives simultaneously and guide teams through ambiguity.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision Develop, own, and continuously refine Takeda’s long-range Strategic Research Outsourcing vision, ensuring alignment with Research, Therapeutic Area, and enterprise priorities. Anticipate emerging industry trends, scientific capabilities, global research hubs, and external innovation models to position Takeda at the forefront of strategic outsourcing. Drive the evolution from transactional vendor management to an integrated, strategic partner ecosystem. Drive Takeda’s CRO ecosystem towards a fully integrated and seamless operation model that will support an agilely enhanced research organization.
• CRO Network Strategy & Governance Architect and oversee a global CRO network covering early discovery chemistry, preclinical research, platform technologies, and emerging scientific capabilities. Establish enterprise‑level governance frameworks and operating models to ensure quality, compliance, efficiency, and scientific excellence. Lead strategic CRO selection based on innovation potential, geographic footprint, scientific strength, risk profile, and alignment with long‑term company objectives.
• Partnership Development & Relationship Management Serve as Takeda’s senior executive interface with strategic CRO partners, fostering collaboration, transparency, and joint long‑term planning. Build high‑level connections between Takeda leadership and CRO executives to strengthen innovation pipelines, capability development, and operational resilience. Negotiate strategic agreements and partnership roadmaps that enhance Takeda’s scientific agility and competitive positioning.
• Portfolio & Scientific Integration Ensure outsourced capabilities are best‑in-class, scalable, and tightly integrated into internal research workflows. Collaborate with scientific leaders to identify capability gaps and determine when externalization is the optimal path. Oversee the scientific and operational performance of CROs, ensuring high‑quality data, timely delivery, and alignment with disease‑area strategies.
• Risk Management & Operational Excellence Identify strategic risks across the CRO ecosystem — including IP protection, dependency risks, geographic concentration, and business continuity — and lead mitigation strategies. Establish KPIs and performance frameworks that evaluate CROs on both operational and strategic dimensions. Drive continuous improvement efforts that enhance productivity, scientific innovation, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Team Leadership & Organizational Development Lead, develop, coach and inspire the leaders and teams responsible for CRO management across chemistry, preclinical research, and future outsourced modalities. Foster a culture of innovation, accountability, cross‑functional collaboration, and external‑ready execution. Build organizational capabilities required for next‑generation outsourced research (e.g., digital integration, data transparency, advanced analytics, new modality CRO ecosystems). Participate as member of the Strategic Operations Leadership Team.

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: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree