Senior Counsel, Global Transactions & Contracts Legal – Data, Digital & Technology

Takeda•Boston, MA

About The Position

Takeda is seeking an experienced biopharma transactions attorney to join its Global Transactions & Corporate Legal team as Senior Counsel (Associate Director), supporting transactions and contracts for the Data, Digital & Technology organization. The role reports to the Head Counsel GTC Legal – DDT and partners closely with Procurement and business stakeholders to advance business objectives through practical legal advice, disciplined contracting, sound risk judgment, and scalable contracting infrastructure. The work spans global time zones and legal jurisdictions and requires navigating regional legal nuances and evolving regulatory frameworks. The role supports strategic transactions and enterprise contracts across areas including software and cloud agreements, software services, data licensing, AI and machine learning, digital health, benefits administration, recruitment, contingent workforce and staffing, management consulting, and business process outsourcing. The Senior Counsel independently leads, negotiates, drafts, reviews, and advises on moderately complex matters; serves as an escalation point for risk, complexity, or departures from standard positions; advises on due diligence, sourcing models, deal structures, risk assessments, and post-signing matters; and collaborates with other Takeda legal teams. The position also develops and maintains global contracting infrastructure, including templates, playbooks, fallback positions, legal guidance, escalation frameworks, risk thresholds, training, office hours, and best-practice resources. The attorney builds expertise in assigned transaction categories, monitors relevant legal, regulatory, internal-policy, geopolitical, economic, public-health, market, supplier, and negotiation developments, and applies those insights to advice and contracting processes. As primary relationship attorney for assigned Procurement category managers and business teams, the Senior Counsel builds stakeholder relationships, understands business objectives, communicates clearly, and represents GTC Legal.

Requirements

J.D. or equivalent legal degree.
At least 6 years of experience as in-house or external counsel supporting contracts and strategic transactions within the global biopharmaceutical industry.
Experience advising on business, legal, and compliance risks associated with relevant contracts and transactions, including data rights, cybersecurity, data privacy/GDPR, risk allocation, AI risks, intellectual property, pharmacovigilance, quality, co-employment, anti-bribery, anti-kickback, false claims, sanctions, trade controls, and financial transparency.
Experience working within strategic legal support models that empower business stakeholders and Procurement to independently prepare, negotiate, and execute high-volume and routine contracts.
Experience collaborating productively and efficiently with subject matter experts inside and outside the Law Department.
Strong judgment and business acumen in balancing legal risk, business objectives, and execution speed.
Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and operate effectively in ambiguous, fast-moving environments.
Ability to work effectively across cultures, time zones, and regulatory environments.
Ability to translate complex legal concepts into clear, practical, business-aligned advice and solutions.
Technology-forward mindset, including ability to adopt and scale the use of artificial intelligence and other digital tools.
Collaborative and influential leadership style.

Responsibilities

Provide pragmatic, business-tailored legal advice and support for strategic transactions and enterprise contracts in assigned categories.
Independently lead, negotiate, draft, review, and advise on moderately complex transactions and contracts.
Serve as the legal escalation point for issues involving risk, complexity, or deviation from standard positions.
Advise on pre-contract activities, including due diligence, sourcing models, deal structures, and risk assessments.
Provide post-signing advice on contract interpretation, disputes, amendments, renewals, and terminations.
Collaborate with adjacent Takeda legal teams, including DD&T Legal, to provide integrated legal support.
Generate, implement, and maintain contracting templates, playbooks, fallback positions, legal guidance, escalation frameworks, risk thresholds, training, office hours, and best-practice resources.
Build and maintain expertise and ownership in one or more assigned transaction categories.
Monitor internal and external developments affecting contracting risk and strategy and incorporate relevant insights into transactional advice, negotiation strategies, and contracting infrastructure.
Serve as primary relationship attorney for assigned Procurement category managers and business teams.
Build relationships with legal and business stakeholders, understand business objectives, communicate advice effectively, and represent GTC Legal.