VP, Head of Communications, US

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Job Description

A leadership role based in Cambridge, MA., responsible for driving strategic communications for Takeda, focused in the U.S. 

Reporting to the Chief Communications & Governance Officer, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the U.S. President, the Head of Communications, U.S. will serve as a strategic thought partner to the U.S. President and sit on the U.S. Business Unit leadership team. 

This leader will build a high-performing team of talented and diverse communications professionals responsible for developing and executing integrated external and internal communications, product marketing communications strategies, policy communications, digital and social strategies, and managing issues. The team will promote Takeda in the U.S., in alignment with the global communications mission and strategy, ensuring a consistent and differentiated positioning of Takeda as an innovation-driven and patient-centric company and its products. 

This role is considered one of the key successor roles to the Chief Communications & Governance Officer. 

• Serve as the primary strategic communications advisor to the U.S. President, bringing proactive recommendations on narrative, positioning, opportunities and risks across stakeholders (employees, media, policymakers, patients and partners). 
• Establish and maintain an operating cadence with the U.S. President (e.g., weekly 1:1, issues scan, and leadership-team preparation) and ensure rapid alignment in fast-moving situations. 
• Own executive communications for the U.S. President, including content strategy, messaging, speeches/talking points, and leadership visibility moments, in close coordination with Corporate Communications. 
• Clarify decision rights and escalation paths for high-stakes communications (e.g., issues/crisis response, sensitive policy moments, and major announcements) to ensure timely decisions and consistent execution. 
• Develop and implement US-focused communications plans (both annual and long range) that deliver business outcomes and shape the external environment, in alignment with Takeda's reputation and brand as an innovation-driven company and highlight the value and differentiation of Takeda's pipeline and portfolio.   
• Provide strategic communications counsel and executive communications support to the President of the U.S. Business Unit and the relevant Business Unit Heads as a member of the U.S. leadership team. Coordinate with the global Communications team to build and enhance Takeda’s reputation and brand, and execute product portfolio campaigns.  
• Lead and coordinate robust, consumer-centric, integrated strategic marketing communications for key milestones, such as data readouts, regulatory approvals and launches. 
• Collaborate with Government Affairs/Public Affairs on policy communications and integrated public affairs campaigns that enhance Takeda’s policy and advocacy positions. 
• Build and keep strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including media, analysts, patient advocacy groups, professional societies, and industry associations, as appropriate, and in partnership with Marketing and Government/Public Affairs. 
• Act as the primary communications leader supporting U.S. Region Crisis Management Team preparedness and execution.  
• Partner with U.S. Public Affairs to oversee trade relations communications and TET engagements, as well as internal and external public policy communications, U.S. Region Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) communications, including employee volunteerism. 
• Own and deliver community engagement days for Boston-area employees. 
• With the U.S. LT, drive the transformation initiatives, helping leaders and employees adjust to the business changes, new product launches, life-cycle and market challenges, while ensuring employee engagement, empowering employees to deliver the mission and be an ambassador. 
• Lead and collaborate with Takeda Corporate Comms, R&D and Brand to ensure alignment and consistency of processes, procedures, global messages, and best practices, and to support execution of communications activities.  
• Develop crisis communication planning, anticipation, readiness, and response capabilities.  
• Manage and oversee the U.S. brand communications budget, resources, and agencies.  

Use insights and the latest communications technologies and tools (including digital and AI-forward approaches) to meet patients and stakeholders where they are with campaigns on Takeda and its products.  

Establish clear roles and responsibilities, performance expectations, and development plans for the team, ensuring alignment with business goals and the global communications vision and strategy.  

• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing team of communications professionals, fostering a culture of business acumen, agility, consistency, collaboration, innovation, and excellence.  
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and learning, using best practices, measurement, and feedback to optimize communications effectiveness and outcomes.  
• Partner with global and regional communications teams to ensure alignment and consistency of global messages and best practices and be accountable of localization when necessary.  
• Be a role model for Takeda's values and leadership behaviors, in particular promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.  

Requirements:

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field. An advanced degree is preferred.  
• Minimum of 15-20 years of experience in communications, reputation building and branding, preferably in the biopharmaceutical industry.  
• Experience leading large teams with direct experience in integrated marketing communications aimed at consumers and the healthcare stakeholder ecosystem. 
• Proven track record of developing and executing strategic communications plans for complex and diverse product portfolios and pipelines, across multiple therapeutic areas, with meaningful business outcomes. 
• Ability to counsel and advise CEOs and other senior management, scientific experts and patient advocates appropriately, with confidence and ease.  
• Deep understanding of the global biopharmaceutical landscape including the scientific, regulatory, commercial, and U.S. policy aspects.  
• Strategic and creative thinking, with the ability to anticipate and address opportunities and challenges in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.  
• Exceptional written and oral communications skills, with the ability to craft and deliver compelling consumer-centric messages for various audiences and channels.  
• Strong media relations skills, with established relationships with key U.S. National and industry trade media outlets and influencers.  
• Strong digital and social media acumen, with experience overseeing targeted campaigns and influencer strategies. 
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trust and influence across all levels of the organization and with external partners.  
• Ability to influence others and drive alignment across diverse teams in matrix environments.  
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership style, with the ability to inspire, motivate, and develop a diverse and global team.  
• Exceptionally high degree of integrity, professionalism, and ethical standards. 

Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. We are committed to equitable pay for all employees, and we strive to be more transparent with our pay practices.

For Location:

Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$320,000.00 - $440,000.00

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location. 

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/ or long-term incentives. U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation. 

EEO Statement

Takeda is proud in its commitment to creating a diverse workforce and providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, national origin, age, disability, citizenship status, genetic information or characteristics, marital status, status as a Vietnam era veteran, special disabled veteran, or other protected veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws, and any other characteristic protected by law.

Locations

Boston, MA

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

Yes

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.