Director, Global Medical Lead, Zasocitinib – Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)

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Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as a Director, Global Medical Lead, Zasocitinib- Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) in our Cambridge, MA office.

At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to realize their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, encourage innovation, and strive for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Here, you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

OBJECTIVES:

• Accountable for development, implementation, and ongoing optimization of the global medical strategy for zasocitinib in PsA, in alignment with the GMUH, Rheumatology, and enterprise strategy.
• Provide Director-level medical leadership and strategic counsel to the GPT, GMUH, Rheumatology, and senior cross-functional stakeholders on product profile, data interpretation, benefit-risk, evidence gaps, and external scientific dynamics.
• Lead the global PsA Medical Strategy Team and coordinate medical sub-teams and matrix partners to deliver integrated, high-quality, and timely execution.
• Define the medical evidence and scientific communications plan; ensure insights from patients, HCPs, and external experts are systematically captured and translated into action.
• Enable consistent global-to-local medical strategy deployment in partnership with regional and affiliate medical teams, while recognizing local practice, access, regulatory, and stakeholder needs.
• Model Takeda values and a culture of scientific excellence, inclusive collaboration, compliance, accountability, and patient focus; mentor and develop matrix colleagues as appropriate.

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Serve as the global medical lead and single-point medical accountable leader for zasocitinib in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), reporting to the Global Medical Unit Head (GMUH), Rheumatology
•  Partner with the GMUH, Rheumatology, to define and execute a multi-year global medical vision, integrated medical strategy, and evidence plan across the PsA lifecycle, aligned to the Global Project Team (GPT), product strategy, and evolving treatment landscape.
• Translate deep understanding of PsA science, patient unmet need, and stakeholder insights into differentiated medical priorities, including launch preparedness, evidence generation, scientific communications, and lifecycle opportunities.
• Lead and influence a global, cross-functional medical matrix across Clinical Development, Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance, Commercial, Market Access, Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR), Digital/Data & Technology (DD&T), regions, and affiliates to ensure medical leadership is embedded in key product decisions.
• Chair or actively lead relevant Medical Strategy Team (MST) workstreams and provide clear medical recommendations, risk assessments, and decision-making input to the GPT and senior governance forums.
• Establish measurable strategic priorities, milestones, and performance indicators; monitor execution, resolve barriers, and escalate material risks or trade-offs to the GMUH, Rheumatology, as appropriate.
• Scientific Expertise, Evidence, and External Engagement
• Act as the global scientific steward for zasocitinib in PsA, ensuring scientifically rigorous, balanced, compliant, and patient-centered medical content and external engagement.
• Shape and oversee the integrated evidence-generation strategy, including real-world evidence, investigator-sponsored research, data-generation partnerships, and publication priorities, in collaboration with Evidence Generation, Clinical, HEOR, and Publications colleagues.
• Build and sustain strategic relationships with international thought leaders, centers of excellence, professional societies, patient advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders to inform strategy and advance the scientific agenda.
• Represent Takeda, as delegated, in high-impact scientific, medical, and policy forums; engage external experts credibly on complex PsA and zasocitinib data.
• Medical Governance and Innovation
• Provide senior medical review and approval input for global scientific and, where applicable, promotional and non-promotional materials in accordance with applicable policies, codes, and regulations.
• Ensure proactive identification and management of medical, evidence, safety, regulatory, and reputational risks across the PsA program.
• Champion responsible use of digital, data science, and AI-enabled approaches to strengthen insight generation, evidence planning, scientific exchange, and patient/HCP experience, consistent with governance and compliance requirements.

EDUCATION, BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

Education & Experience

• Advanced scientific or clinical degree required: MD, DO, MBBS, PharmD, PhD, or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant life-science discipline. Medical degree and/or specialist experience in rheumatology, immunology, dermatology, or a related field strongly preferred.
• Typically 8–12+ years of progressively responsible experience in biopharmaceutical medical affairs, clinical development, or a related medical function, including meaningful global or regional strategic leadership experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading medical strategy and execution for an asset, indication, or disease area in a complex, matrixed organization; pre-launch, launch, and/or lifecycle-management experience strongly preferred.
• Proven expertise in rheumatology, immunology, and/or psoriatic arthritis through clinical practice, research, education, or biopharmaceutical experience.
• Experience with evidence generation, publications, scientific communications, external expert engagement, and global medical governance required.
• Working knowledge of global pharmaceutical laws, regulations, industry codes, and medical/commercial boundary requirements.
• Demonstrated experience applying digital, analytics, or AI-enabled approaches to medical strategy or operations is preferred.
• Enterprise and strategic mindset with the ability to articulate a compelling medical vision and translate it into executable, measurable priorities.
• Deep scientific acumen and ability to critically interpret clinical, safety, real-world, and competitive data; communicate complex evidence clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead through a global matrix without direct reporting authority.
• Strong judgment, integrity, and command of compliant medical decision-making in a highly regulated environment.
• Proven capability to build trusted partnerships with external experts, patient organizations, investigators, and internal cross-functional leaders.
• Strong business and operational acumen, including resource prioritization, risk management, scenario planning, and delivery against milestones.
• Digital fluency and ability to evaluate responsible applications of data analytics, AI, and emerging technologies to improve medical impact.
• Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills across cultures and geographies.
• Commitment to patient centricity, inclusion, and scientific excellence.

This position is currently classified as “ hybrid” in accordance with Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

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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:

USA - MA - Cambridge - Kendall Square - 500

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$192,400.00 - $302,390.00

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

USA - MA - Cambridge - Kendall Square - 500

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.