Director, Research Strategy & Program Operations

USA - 3316 Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 177,000 - 278,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda is seeking a Director, Program Management in Boston, MA to lead and mentor cross-functional teams across research and development programs. You will drive end-to-end program plans, portfolio alignment, budgets, and milestones, while partnering with internal teams, CROs, and external partners to ensure value delivery.

Expected 5-7 years of program management in drug discovery, PMP certification, and strong communication skills are essential to guide decision-making, governance, and

Qualifications

• Extensive scientific knowledge with a degree and long relevant experience.
• 5-7 years of program management in early and late drug discovery in cross-functional settings.
• PMP certification required.
• Strong problem solving and initiative in large cross-functional environments.
• Structured thinker with organization and attention to detail.
• Clear English communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Research teams to develop end-to-end program plans including objectives, milestones, deliverables, resources, budgets, and timelines.
• Apply drug discovery expertise and program management best practices to advance programs and maximize value.
• Lead program integration across internal functions, CROs, and external partners, ensuring alignment and effective ways of working.
• Drive execution and decision readiness by clarifying assumptions, risks, scenarios, dependencies, and escalation needs.
• Maintain real-time visibility into program health, proactively identifying bottlenecks and implementing mitigation plans.
• Facilitate high-tempo governance forums, including stand-ups, sprint reviews, decision meetings, and cross-functional meetings.
• Drive timely, on-strategy decisions at key milestones while maintaining flexibility in evolving environments.
• Manage multiple projects within complex programs, tracking progress and ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Provide strategic insights through quantitative analysis, forecasting, and portfolio alignment recommendations.
• Influence stakeholders through clear communication and timely escalation to senior leadership.
• Ensure data integrity and develop transparent reporting systems and tools.
• Establish best practices for meeting management, collaboration, reporting, and execution.
• Mentor Research Project Management colleagues and scale Takeda-wide initiatives.

Skills

Program management

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Communication

Forecasting

Problem solving

PMO

PowerPoint

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

PMP certification

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Excel

Job description

Takeda is seeking a Director, Program Management in Boston, MA to lead and mentor cross-functional teams across research and development programs. You will drive end-to-end program plans, portfolio alignment, budgets, and milestones, while partnering with internal teams, CROs, and external partners to ensure value delivery.

Expected 5-7 years of program management in drug discovery, PMP certification, and strong communication skills are essential to guide decision-making, governance, and