Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Takeda • Boston, MA

6d • $212,000 - $333,190 • Hybrid

About The Position

Takeda is seeking an experienced leader to join the 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 align them with company priorities. The position is accountable for the execution and progression of medicinal chemistry projects conducted at contract research organizations (CROs).

The Senior Director leads and oversees the medicinal chemistry department, manages CRO project execution and external partnerships, develops internal chemists, and collaborates with cross-functional teams to advance drug candidates from discovery through development. The role also drives innovation through new technologies, methodologies, and best practices, and identifies external opportunities that address the organization’s scientific, therapeutic, and commercial needs.

The position is classified as hybrid and is based in Boston, Massachusetts. It is a regular, full-time employee role. The U.S. base salary range is $212,000 to $333,190; the actual offer may depend on qualifications, experience, skills, education, credentials, and location.

Requirements

• PhD in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline with 15 or more years of experience; or an MS with 21 or more years of experience; or a BS with 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, including vendor performance, budgets, data integrity, and IP protection.
• Mentor and develop internal chemists and foster a collaborative, innovative work environment.
• Partner with biology, pharmacology, clinical development, and other cross-functional teams to advance drug candidates from discovery through development.
• Drive medicinal chemistry innovation through 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