Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Takeda • Boston, MA

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Takeda is seeking an experienced leader to join its Global Chemistry Leadership Team as Senior Director of Medicinal Chemistry. The role provides strategic guidance and oversight for medicinal chemistry efforts, drawing on deep drug-hunting expertise to shape chemistry strategy and portfolio decisions and ensure alignment with company priorities. The position is also accountable for the execution and progression of medicinal chemistry projects conducted at contract research organizations (CROs).

The Senior Director will lead the medicinal chemistry department, oversee CRO project design and execution, mentor internal chemists, and collaborate with biology, pharmacology, and clinical development teams to advance drug candidates from discovery through development. The role also promotes innovation through new technologies and best practices, maintains external partnerships, and identifies business development opportunities aligned with the organization’s scientific, therapeutic, and commercial needs. This position is classified as hybrid under Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

Requirements

• PhD in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline and 15 or more years of experience; or an MS and 21 or more years of experience; or a BS and 23 or more years of experience.
• Proven track record of leading drug discovery programs that have delivered clinical candidates.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Deep understanding of medicinal chemistry principles, project execution, and drug design.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to explain complex scientific concepts to a broad audience.
• Experience managing external CRO partners for medicinal chemistry programs, including vendor oversight, budget and resource management, and data quality.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and innovative approach to challenges.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and make sound decisions with incomplete or evolving data.

Nice To Haves

• CRO management experience across multiple regions and time zones.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the medicinal chemistry department, aligned with company strategy and priorities.
• Oversee the design, execution, and management of medicinal chemistry projects conducted at CROs, ensuring timely progress and high-quality outcomes.
• Manage CRO vendor performance, budgets, data integrity, and intellectual property protection.
• Mentor and develop internal chemists, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Partner with biology, pharmacology, and clinical development teams to advance drug candidates from discovery through development.
• Drive medicinal chemistry innovation through the integration of new technologies, methodologies, and best practices.
• Build and maintain relationships with academic institutions, industry collaborators, and CROs.
• Identify and create external opportunities that meet the organization’s strategic scientific, therapeutic, and commercial needs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree