Head, Global R&D Policy and Innovation

Takeda•Boston, MA

6d•$238,000 - $374,000

About The Position

The Head, Global R&D Policy and Innovation leads Takeda’s Global R&D Policy and Innovation (GRPI) function and is accountable for its strategy, priorities, operating model, talent, resources, external influence, and impact. The role sets the enterprise regulatory policy agenda, coordinates Global Regulatory Asset Policy, Global R&D Policy, regional policy, and strategic regulatory intelligence and research capabilities, and represents GRPI in senior GRA, R&D, and enterprise governance. The role advises senior leaders on significant regulatory, legislative, geopolitical, scientific, and innovation issues affecting R&D; directs GRPI’s external influence strategy and key relationships; and works closely with public affairs and legal leaders to coordinate policy, advocacy, and engagement. It also builds organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, partner strategy, knowledge systems, and disciplined resource allocation, while ensuring GRPI’s work delivers measurable impact.

Requirements

20+ years of progressively responsible experience, including senior leadership in global regulatory policy, regulatory strategy, R&D policy, external affairs, or related biopharmaceutical work.
Demonstrated enterprise leadership across a broad global portfolio, including senior executive influence, organizational design, talent leadership, prioritization, and resource trade-offs.
Deep understanding of global drug development, regulatory systems, policy and advocacy, and how external change affects portfolio and enterprise strategy.
Strong strategic judgment and ability to translate complex scientific, regulatory, legislative, or policy issues into clear recommendations for the intended audience.
Ability to work across regions and functions, influence without authority, and maintain momentum in a matrixed organization.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills and sound judgment in external engagement.
Demonstrates Takeda Leadership Behaviors: Think Strategically, Inspire Others, Deliver Priorities, and Elevate Capabilities.

Responsibilities

Set the vision, strategy, priorities, decision rights, investment choices, and operating model for GRPI in alignment with Takeda, R&D, and GRA priorities.
Determine the enterprise regulatory policy agenda and decide where Takeda should lead, partner, challenge, or monitor; make final GRPI prioritization and escalation decisions.
Oversee Global Regulatory Asset Policy and Global R&D Policy as complementary capabilities, connecting asset-derived issues to enterprise priorities and ensuring enterprise policy creates practical portfolio value.
Lead the GRPI senior leadership team and set expectations for regional policy, intelligence and research, resource deployment, quality, and measurable impact.
Represent GRPI in senior GRA, R&D, therapeutic area, and enterprise governance, providing decision-ready advice on consequential issues affecting R&D.
Own GRPI’s senior external influence strategy and key health authority, trade association, coalition, academic, and policy relationships; delegate issue leadership as appropriate.
Keep senior Takeda leaders proactively informed and advised on significant regulatory and R&D policy developments, risks, opportunities, and Takeda positions; oversee leadership briefings and preparation for priority external engagements.
Advise and prepare senior executives for consequential external engagements and policy decisions, ensuring clear objectives, aligned positions, appropriate context, and coordinated external strategy.
Partner with the Heads of US Public Affairs, International Public Affairs, and Regulatory Legal to coordinate regulatory policy, public policy, legal, and advocacy strategies; establish shared positions and resolve strategic or ownership differences early.
Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, GCM and partner strategy, knowledge systems, and disciplined resource allocation.
Ensure GRPI demonstrates impact through earlier asset support, clear ownership of enterprise priorities, faster deployment of expertise, and focus on differentiated policy, research, and strategic engagement.