Head of Discovery Scale-Up and Optimization

Takeda•Boston, MA

10d•$177,000 - $278,080•Hybrid

About The Position

Takeda is seeking an experienced scientific leader to lead discovery chemistry optimization and scale-up as a member of the Global Chemistry Leadership Team. The role is accountable for ensuring advanced leads and candidates can be made safely and reliably, in quantities that support lead optimization, candidate selection, and transition into development. The position leads approximately 10 scientists across Boston and Shonan, works closely with Pharmaceutical Sciences, medicinal chemistry, biology, DMPK, and toxicology, and oversees external partners, including CROs, to deliver high-quality material on time. The leader sets the vision, priorities, and operating model for discovery scale-up and optimization in alignment with Global Chemistry priorities. They guide scalable, efficient, and cost-effective synthetic route design and optimization, applying route scouting and process safety, and deliver or coordinate gram-to-kilogram supplies of compounds and key intermediates to meet agreed purity and timeline commitments. They partner with medicinal chemistry early in lead optimization to assess synthetic tractability and recommend structural or route changes that improve scalability. The role partners with Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical, and CMC colleagues to prepare for technology transfer and sourcing strategies. It also includes team development across sites and time zones; CRO selection and oversight, including technical, budget, timeline, data-integrity, and intellectual-property responsibilities; contribution to program strategy, risk assessment, resource planning, and portfolio decisions; and management of the group's budget. The leader introduces enabling technologies such as flow chemistry, biocatalysis, high-throughput experimentation, and automation to accelerate route development and reduce cycle time. The position is classified as hybrid under Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy. Travel between Boston and Shonan is required. It is a regular, full-time employee position.

Requirements

PhD in Organic Chemistry or a related discipline with 10 or more years of experience; or MS with 16 or more years; or BS with 18 or more years in process chemistry, route optimization, or scale-up, including significant leadership experience.
Proven track record delivering scalable routes and gram-to-kilogram supply for preclinical or clinical candidates.
Experience leading and developing high-performing teams; distributed-team experience is desirable.
Deep expertise in synthetic route design, reaction optimization, impurity control, and process safety.
Working knowledge of solid-form characterization and supporting analytical methods.
Experience managing external partners for scale-up and manufacturing, including vendor oversight, budget and resource management, and data quality.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to prioritize across multiple programs, adapt to changing priorities, and make sound decisions with incomplete or evolving data.
Ability and willingness to travel between Boston and Shonan.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience within a large pharmaceutical or biotechnology company, including managing multi-site or global teams.
Experience across small-molecule modalities, including complex or macrocyclic structures, peptides, or degraders.
Track record of enabling a program's transition from discovery into IND-enabling development.

Responsibilities

Set the vision, priorities, and operating model for discovery scale-up and optimization, aligned with Global Chemistry priorities.
Lead the design and optimization of scalable, efficient, and cost-effective synthetic routes for advanced leads and candidates, applying route scouting and process safety.
Deliver or coordinate gram-to-kilogram supplies of compounds and key intermediates for medicinal chemistry optimization, in vivo pharmacology, toxicology, and formulation studies, meeting agreed purity and timeline commitments.
Partner with medicinal chemistry teams early in lead optimization to assess synthetic tractability and recommend structural or route changes that improve scalability.
Partner with Pharmaceutical Sciences, Analytical, and CMC colleagues to prepare for technology transfer and sourcing strategies.
Lead, mentor, and develop approximately 10 scientists across Boston and Shonan, building a collaborative team across sites and time zones.
Select, manage, and hold CROs accountable, including technical oversight, budget and timeline management, data-integrity standards, and protection of intellectual property.
Contribute to program strategy, risk assessment, resource planning, and portfolio decisions with biology, DMPK, toxicology, and project leadership.
Manage the group's budget.
Introduce enabling technologies, including flow chemistry, biocatalysis, high-throughput experimentation, and automation, to accelerate route development and reduce cycle time.
Travel between Boston and Shonan.