Senior Director Program Management

Takeda•Boston, MA

5d•$212,000 - $333,190•Hybrid

About The Position

The AI and Data-Driven Path to Approval (AIDPA) Initiative Lead is accountable for the strategy, execution, and value realization of the AI and Data transformation in development. This is a cross-functional Initiative, is part of Takeda’s R&D of the Future program, and aims to reimagine the drug development paradigm through building an interoperable, scalable, and future-ready data and technology landscape for R&D. The objective is to truly reimagine drug development and drive tangible value in accelerated timelines, increased quality, and improved efficiencies. The role requires a visionary, ambitious thinker who can deconstruct processes of today to reinvent the future. This role is also accountable to integrate with other R&D of the Future Initiatives, other cross-functional transformations, such as R&D’s Global Capability Model (GCM) transformation, and other functional transformations within Global Regulatory Affairs. This includes being accountable for integrating the AIDPA strategy and execution with Data and Technology Initiatives within R&D of the Future, such as developing the R&D business priorities that will inform the data and tech strategic priorities. The role requires deep development and regulatory expertise, strong data/AI acumen, deep understanding of global capability models, and the ability to lead complex, cross-functional change—connecting business objectives, data, and technology to deliver measurable impact.

Requirements

12 years of leadership experience across R&D functions
Demonstrated ability to make key program decisions, hold partners accountable, and build trust and influence across R&D functions.
Experience leading complex, multi-workstream portfolios requiring sequencing, prioritization, and trade-off management across competing demands.
Proven success leading enterprise-scale, cross-functional transformations with measurable value realization.

Nice To Haves

Deep strategic and domain expertise in Research & Development and data/digital/AI fluency in an R&D context.
Experience integrating Data/Technology foundations into business process optimization and reimagined ways of working.
Previous partnership with data and technology organizations to deliver scalable solutions.
Knowledge and experience with agile ways of working.
Advanced degree (PhD, MBA, etc.) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

Own AIDPA iInitiative strategy, including ambition, outcomes, and KPI framework, serving as guiding central voice that enables workstreams to execute.
Ensure the AIDPA vision is translated into actionable use cases and redesigned ways of working, with defined milestones and measurable impact.
Drive value realization and sustain momentum for AIDPA, including leadership accountability, business case development, ongoing ROI discipline, and visibility to transparent status and performance.
Drive senior stakeholders to be accountable for decisions, commitments, and outcomes across the AIDPA portfolio.
Establish agile, fit-for-purpose decision pathways, aligned with R&D of the Future processes, to streamline decision-making and ensure agility and forward progress.
Coordinate across workstreams, provide leadership visibility to progress and milestones, and facilitate prioritization, sequencing, and trade-off discussions.
Evolve agile ways of working to support AIDPA evolution over time to be future-ready for changing technology and R&D landscapes.
Spearhead cross-workstream connectivity to manage interdependencies, ensure integrated execution strategy where applicable, and maximize delivery momentum.
Enable transparent communication across workstreams for visibility to coordinate, share learnings, avoid duplication, and track joint value realization.
Coordinate AIDPA input into end-to-end lean process redesign incorporating technology, to improve cycle time, quality, compliance, and productivity.
Champion adoption and leadership endorsement of new technologies and ways of working.
Influence development of AIDPA messaging and communications to articulate strategy, progress, decisions, and realized value.
Partner with R&D of the Future central team, enterprise transformation teams, and communications teams to embed AIDPA into broader R&D transformation narratives.