Director, Clinical Program Quality & Excellence (CPQE), Oncology

Takeda; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda in Cambridge, MA is seeking a Director of Clinical Program Quality & Excellence (CPQE), Oncology to lead asset-level quality management and inspection readiness. You will drive risk-based quality controls, governance discussions, and proactive issue resolution across global programs to safeguard patient safety and regulatory success.

You will partner with senior stakeholders, mentor CPQ teams, and shape strategies spanning R&D through lifecycle management, ensuring robust compliance and

Qualifications

• 10+ years in the global pharmaceutical industry with at least 5 years in quality/compliance for clinical programs.
• Deep knowledge of GCP regulations and guidelines across development lifecycle.
• Experience in quality leadership, governance, audits and regulatory inspections.

Responsibilities

• Shape asset-level risk-based quality management to reduce systemic compliance risks.
• Lead quality issues escalation for data-driven, patient-centric decisions at governance bodies.
• Drive real-time inspection readiness across Study Execution Teams and QA oversight.
• Lead global GCP inspection strategy and support regulatory interactions as SME.
• Develop and implement robust audit strategies to mitigate program risks.

Skills

Quality leadership

GCP knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Risk management

Cross-functional leadership

Inspection readiness

Executive presence

Data-driven decision making

Education

BSc required

MSc or PhD preferred

Job description

Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company to inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as a Director, Clinical Program Quality & Excellence (CPQE), Oncology based in Cambridge, MA reporting to the Head, Clinical Program Quality Oncology.

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 work towards their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, and work toward excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to provide Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

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

GOALS

• Shape, at the asset‑level, a risk based quality management model that elevates clinical program performance, strengthens regulatory confidence, and accelerates time to market by proactively reducing systemic compliance risks.
• Serve as a strategic quality leader at asset‑level key governance bodies (e.g. Global Program Team, Clinical Sub‑Team, Clinical Review Board), shaping portfolio decision making by providing objective insights on emerging risks, critical quality issues, and mitigation strategies that safeguard program continuity and asset value.
• Lead real time inspection readiness at the asset‑level, across all Study Execution Teams, driving operational discipline, cross functional issue resolution, and sustained adherence to global GCP and regulatory expectations throughout end to end clinical trial delivery.
• Champion a culture of accountability, scientific rigor, and quality by design at the asset‑level, influencing senior stakeholders and partners to adopt robust quality practices that protect patient safety, uphold data integrity, and support successful regulatory submissions worldwide.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Responsible for quality management for assigned asset‑level clinical programs, developing and implementing proactive, risk‑based quality management strategies to drive compliance and de‑risk clinical programs.
• Lead escalation of quality issues, risks and mitigations to enable data‑driven, quality and patient‑centric decision‑making at relevant governance levels (e.g. Global Program Team, Clinical Sub‑Team, Clinical Review Board)
• Lead investigations into Serious Breaches (GCP), Scientific Misconduct, and other significant quality events and deviations, applying robust root cause analysis to ensure effective resolution and prevention of recurrence.
• Drive inspection readiness for assigned asset‑level clinical programs in TAU, providing oversight to drive sustainable compliance embedded end to end in clinical programs.
• Lead global GCP inspection strategy for assigned asset‑level clinical programs, leading the planning for submission‑related inspections, representing Takeda as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in clinical program quality oversight during regulatory interactions.
• Develop and implement robust, risk‑based audit strategy for assigned asset‑level clinical development programs that enables early detection of potential quality issues with appropriate mitigations to reduce clinical program risks.
• Support and mentor the CPQ team for assigned Study Execution Teams (SETs) in the development, implementation and refinement of a proactive quality oversight model, embedding real‑time inspection readiness by driving proactive compliance, documentation quality and the framework for proactive investigation and cross‑functional resolution of quality events.
• Contribute to the R&D Quality GxP Center of Continuous Improvement and Performance in CTD and PV through comprehensive approach in sharing insights and learnings throughout clinical program delivery.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Scientific or allied health/medical degree (BSc required; MSc or PhD preferred).
• 10 or more years of progressive experience in the global pharmaceutical industry, including at least 5 years in Quality and/or Compliance supporting clinical development programs.
• Advanced expertise across the clinical development lifecycle, from R&D through commercialization and lifecycle management, with deep, hands‑on knowledge of GCP regulations and guidelines.
• Experience in quality leadership roles, including quality systems oversight, clinical portfolio governance, audit programs, global regulatory inspection management, and complex investigation and remediation activities.
• Dynamic and adaptable leadership style, combining a strong sense of urgency with the flexibility to operate effectively in fast‑changing, complex environments.
• Strategic, creative, and resourceful, with an entrepreneurial mindset and a willingness to be hands‑on to drive impact and results.
• Strong interpersonal skills and executive presence, with the ability to influence, align, and lead stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Strong communication skills, with experience representing teams and organizations in diverse, global, and high‑stakes settings.
• Decisive, proactive, and well‑organized, with the ability to prioritize effectively and manage competing demands.
• Open‑minded and appropriately risk‑tolerant, demonstrating humility, resilience, and comfort with challenge and constructive debate.
• Unwavering integrity and ethical standards, with a strong commitment to patient safety, scientific rigor, and regulatory compliance.

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 :

$177,000.00 - $278,080.00

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.