Director, R&D Efficiency Program & Change Management

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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, R&D Efficiency Program & Change Management 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.

POSITION OBJECTIVES:

The R&D Global Portfolio Strategy function is responsible for powering better R&D pipeline decision-making. As Director, R&D Efficiency Program & Change Management, you will oversee the execution of the R&D Efficiency Program through robust program and change management capabilities.

This role is responsible for:

• Designing, implementing, and operationalizing multi-year efficiency initiatives that enhance R&D processes, productivity, and value creation.  
• Align cross-functional stakeholders, execute the change management capability build strategy, and build organizational adaptability.
• Drive scalable frameworks for adoption and sustain long-term impact.
• Ensure milestone tracking, resource optimization, risk mitigation, and the seamless integration of the Matae change management platform across R&D business rhythms.  
• Managing vendor partnerships, overseeing reporting and governance, and driving strategic guidance to ensure on-time and high-quality delivery.

This role is critical in leading transformation within R&D, directly contributing to Takeda's growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability.  

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Support execution and continuous improvement of the R&D Efficiency Program and the Change Management Capability Build Strategy and Governance Framework.  

• Drive and support multi-year, high-impact initiatives to improve R&D efficiency, foster innovation, and enable cost savings.  

• Partner with functional leaders and Efficiency Program leadership to oversee and execute program planning, progress tracking, risk management, resource allocation, workshops, and milestone achievement.  

• Coordinate cross-functional rollout of efficiency and change management practices with change leaders and key stakeholders.  

• Lead the development and delivery of change management training, ensuring integration of the Matae change management platform into business processes to support program adoption.  

• Monitor and report key metrics, including program objectives, change management outcomes, and efficiency milestones, to identify continuous improvement opportunities.  

• Allocate budget/resources effectively to support program success and capability building.  

• Manage third-party vendors and service providers to ensure alignment with program standards and delivery expectations.  

• Serve as a strategic advisor to leaders on the integration of program management, change adoption, and sustainability frameworks.  

• Collaborate with the Center of Excellence Lead and Change Leader Coalition to ensure alignment with program goals with organizational strategies. 

• Conduct regular assessments of efficiency and change management progress, ensuring data accuracy and alignment with R&D efficiency objectives.  

• Stay informed on emerging trends in R&D efficiency, change management, and program execution to bring innovative practices into the organization.  

• Support preparation of materials and presentations for governance bodies (RMC, TET, BOD), providing updates and securing alignment on program priorities.  

• Work closely with the R&D Center of Business Excellence to communicate and highlight achievements in R&D Efficiency and Change Management Capability Build.  

• Build and maintain key relationships across a broad sphere of influence, both internally and externally, to drive alignment and ensure program success. 

EDUCATION, BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:

Education:

• 10 years related experience in pharmaceutical industry, with expertise in strategy, R&D operations, with business and financial acumen  
• 5+ years experience in change management, organizational development & program implementation  
• Advanced degree (MBA, or equivalent) preferred 

Competencies and Skills: 

• Comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry  
• Deep understanding of organizational change management methodologies and applications in pharmaceutical/R&D contexts 
• Familiarity with change management platforms and tools, including analytics and reporting features  
• Enterprise level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate and drive results 
• Excellent communicator, able to persuasively convey both ideas and data, verbally and in writing 
• Proven skills as an effective team player who can engender credibility and confidence within and outside the company 
• Executive leadership presence and confidence 
• Demonstrated ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders across a matrixed global organization 
• Experience managing high-impact programs and cross-functional teams 
• Ability to make highly complex decisions that impact the enterprise 
• Ability to seek diverse input from multiple constituents and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions 
• Responsible for independently managing change strategy execution and related decisions across the R&D organization 
• Expected to evaluate vendor performance and platform adoption risks and recommend solutions 
• Effectively navigates the changing external and internal environment and leads others through change by creating and inspiring and engaging workplace 
• Frequent engagement with Change Leaders, CoE (Center of Excellence) leadership, and senior R&D/Takeda enterprise stakeholders 
• Comfortable challenging the status quo and bringing forward innovative solutions 
• Visionary and forward thinking with the ability to influence and effectively drive organizational change and continuous innovation 
• Ability to work in a global ecosystem (internal and external) with a high degree of complexity 
• Role operates in a global, complex, and regulated environment, requiring flexibility and cross-functional coordination 

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

Empowering Our People to Shine

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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

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$174,500.00 - $274,230.00

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

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

Full time

Job Exempt

Yes

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