Head of GCM Transition

Takeda•Boston, MA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of GCM Transition is responsible for leading the end-to-end planning and execution of transitions of services, capabilities, and roles into the GCM, supporting Takeda's shift to a globally scaled, capability-led operating model. This role involves building and directing cross-functional transition teams to manage complex, multi-wave transitions, ensuring business continuity, mitigating risks, and preparing for steady-state operations within the GCM. The Head of GCM Transition acts as the primary escalation and integration point between Business Units and GCM teams, driving alignment, resolving issues, and ensuring consistent execution of GCM transition strategies, including lift & shift, transformation, and insourcing approaches.

Requirements

Minimum 12+ years of progressive experience in transition management, shared services, or Global Business Services (GBS) / Global Capability Centers (GCC).
Proven track record leading complex, large-scale, multi-wave transitions simultaneously across multiple functions and geographies.
Strong leadership and people management experience, with demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and lead cross-functional teams in large-scale transformation environments.
Experience in building and leading a transition team to set up a global GCC.
Functional knowledge and experience in business functions such as R&D, commercial, supply chain, and corporate function.
Proven experience in planning, coordinating, and managing organizational change across business units, functions, and markets.
Working knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and monthly reporting of variance with actuals.
Strong understanding of transition methodologies and global operating models.
Demonstrated expertise in transition planning and execution, including knowledge transfer (KT), structured readiness testing (SRT), cutover, hypercare and adoption.
Functional and end-to-end process expertise in one or more areas.
Experience in establishing methods, frameworks, and tools, including use of technology and AI.
Solid financial and commercial acumen, with the ability to explain assumptions, manage transition costs and drive economic value.
Ability to influence cross-functional partners and stakeholders in a highly matrixed, global organization.
Ability to operate effectively in complex, ambiguous environments to drive alignment and execution across diverse teams.
Demonstrate leadership, problem solving, risk management, and decision-making skills to communicate goals and drive results.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Fluent in English.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in Business, Supply Chain, Life Sciences, or related field preferred.

Responsibilities

Define and own the enterprise transition approach, phasing, and wave sequencing aligned with GCM priorities and business objectives.
Ensure alignment of transition strategy with enterprise governance, location strategy, regulatory requirements, and capacity constraints.
Advise senior BU/BF leadership on the best possible implementation of GCM, including transition strategy (lift & shift vs. transform), approach, risks, and interdependencies.
Establish and drive value realization frameworks, delivering measurable outcomes such as process standardization, cost efficiencies, and service level improvements.
Build and shape a global, best-in-class transition capability and team.
Define and evolve transition methods, playbooks, tools, governance frameworks and standards across GCM.
Leverage technology and AI-enabled solutions to enhance scalability, transparency, and compliance in transition delivery.
Lead and develop high-performing, cross-functional, multi-geography teams.
Define clear roles, responsibilities, and ways of working to enable effective transition delivery at scale.
Build leadership capability and succession pipelines within the transition organization.
Ensure strong collaboration across BU/BF, GCM, and Service Delivery teams.
Own end-to-end planning and execution of large scale multi-wave transitions across functions and geographies.
Develop and oversee integrated transition plans covering scope, timelines, dependencies, financials, milestones, risks, regulatory requirements, and mitigation actions.
Drive on-time, on-budget delivery while adhering to compliance, quality, and audit requirements.
Ensure consistent execution of GCM transition strategies.
Serve as primary escalation point between BU/BF and GCM teams, ensuring timely decision-making and issue resolution.
Drive alignment with global standards, governance frameworks, and enterprise decision-making forums.
Oversee risk management framework with strong focus on compliance and business continuity, knowledge transfer strategy and ensure sustainable capability transfer to GCM teams.
Ensure operational readiness through structured readiness testing (SRT), cutover planning, and business continuity validation.
Define and lead hypercare approach, success criteria, and exit conditions following go-live.
Ensure smooth transition to steady-state operations with established SLAs and performance baselines.
Lead enterprise change management strategy, including stakeholder engagement, communications, and adoption planning across global teams.
Ensure effective knowledge transfer and sustained adoption of compliant processes, systems, and ways of working.