Executive Compensation Lead

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.; Kendall Square (MA); On-site; USD 154,000 - 243,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda is seeking an Executive Compensation Lead to shape and deliver compensation programs for the Executive Team and Directors worldwide. You will guide benchmarking, modeling, governance, and administration to ensure competitive, equitable equity and incentive programs across the United States, Japan, and other markets.

You will lead market research, scenario analysis, payout modeling, and cross‑functional collaboration with Legal, Finance, and Investor Relations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of relevant experience in executive compensation, governance, or related area.
• Experience designing and supporting executive/director compensation strategies.
• Knowledge of benchmarking, peer-group methodology, market positioning, internal comparisons, and pay-for-performance.
• Experience supporting Compensation Committee or Board processes and materials.
• Financial modeling including scenario planning, forecasting, payout modeling, or sensitivity analysis.
• Knowledge of long-term incentive and equity programs, including grant sizing and vesting.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; ability to present to senior leadership.
• Experience with governance processes, controls, audit readiness, or data quality.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design and development of executive compensation programs for Takeda’s Executive Team and Directors.
• Monitor market trends, governance practices, and regulatory developments to enhance programs.
• Conduct market benchmarking using global peer groups and surveys; develop base salary and incentive recommendations.
• Support annual and long-term incentive design, grant sizing, vesting, and administration; ensure policy adherence.
• Prepare materials for Compensation Committee and Board reviews; coordinate governance calendar and approvals.
• Collaborate with internal/external stakeholders to align compensation principles across regions; ensure disclosures meet regulatory requirements.

Skills

Executive compensation

Governance

Benchmarking

Financial modeling

Communication

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HR, Business, Finance, Legal Studies, or related field

Tools

Workday

Job description

About the Role

As the Executive Compensation Lead, you will help shape and deliver compensation programs for Takeda’s Executive Team and Directors. You will provide strategic and operational guidance to senior leaders while leading global executive compensation benchmarking, modeling, governance, and program administration. You will help ensure that Takeda’s executive incentive and equity programs are competitive, equitable, aligned with company performance, and administered consistently across the United States, Japan, and other relevant markets. This role offers an opportunity to partner with senior leaders and cross‑functional teams in a complex, global organization. Success in this position requires executive compensation expertise, sound judgment, strong analytical capabilities, and the ability to communicate complex information clearly to a variety of audiences.

How You Will Contribute

Executive Compensation Strategy and Benchmarking

Contribute to the design and continued development of compensation programs for Takeda’s Executive Team and Directors. Evaluate whether compensation programs effectively support the attraction, retention, and motivation of executive talent. Monitor market trends, regulatory developments, and evolving governance practices to identify potential program enhancements. Conduct market benchmarking using global pharmaceutical peer groups, compensation surveys, and internal comparisons. Develop recommendations related to base salary, annual incentives, long‑term incentives, and equity awards. Facilitate discussions and technical reviews with senior leaders and compensation partners.

Incentive Plan Design and Governance

Support annual incentive goal setting, key performance indicator governance, performance certification, payout modeling, and approval processes. Use scenario planning, financial modeling, and sensitivity analysis to evaluate plan design, performance outcomes, payout ranges, and potential risks. Coordinate long‑term incentive design, grant sizing, vesting, performance assessment, and administration. Support the consistent application of compensation plans and related policies, including share ownership, severance, and change‑in‑control provisions. Partner with internal and external stakeholders to establish, monitor, and consolidate corporate incentive plan measures. Support the governance and approval processes of the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors.

Compensation Committee and Board Governance

Prepare agendas, decision papers, benchmarking analyses, recommendations, and other materials for the Compensation Committee and Board of Directors. Maintain the annual executive compensation governance calendar and coordinate timely approvals, documentation, and follow‑up activities. Support senior Human Resources and business leaders in executive compensation decision‑making. Consolidate market data, internal information, analyses, and recommendations for the annual executive and Director compensation cycle. Work with the Compensation Committee’s independent executive compensation advisor to develop accurate and decision‑ready meeting materials. Maintain clear and complete documentation supporting Compensation Committee and Board decisions.

Public Company Disclosure and Regulatory Compliance

Coordinate with the Japan‑based executive compensation team on applicable regulatory requirements and disclosures. Partner with Legal, Finance, Tax, and Investor Relations on shareholder matters, proxy advisor engagement, and regulatory requirements. Coordinate executive compensation governance and disclosure activities across the United States and Japan. Assess changes in market practices, regulations, and corporate governance expectations and recommend appropriate responses.

Operational Excellence

Lead the end‑to‑end execution of executive compensation processes, including incentive payouts, long‑term incentive grants, system setup, data validation, equity administration, and controls. Maintain accurate documentation, process maps, controls, and governance records. Identify opportunities to improve automation, data quality, control effectiveness, and process efficiency. Support audit readiness and help ensure the accuracy and integrity of executive compensation data. Serve as a subject matter resource for executive compensation practices. Lead projects and cross‑functional workstreams through collaboration and influence.

Global and Cross‑Functional Partnership

Partner with the Japan‑based executive compensation team to align global compensation principles with local market and regulatory requirements. Provide compensation guidance related to executive hiring, promotions, mobility, role changes, retention, and departures. Lead cross‑functional projects involving Human Resources, Finance, Tax, Legal, Payroll, Global Mobility, Equity Administration, and Investor Relations. Build collaborative relationships across regions and functions to support effective execution and informed decision‑making.

Skills and Qualifications Required

Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Legal Studies, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

At least seven years of relevant experience in executive compensation, compensation governance, or a closely related area.

Experience supporting executive or Director compensation strategy, governance, and program design.

Knowledge of executive compensation practices, including benchmarking, peer‑group methodology, market positioning, internal comparisons, and pay‑for‑performance principles.

Experience supporting Compensation Committee or Board processes, including the preparation of compensation recommendations and decision materials.

Financial modeling experience, including scenario planning, forecasting, payout modeling, or sensitivity analysis for incentive programs.

Knowledge of long‑term incentive and equity programs, which may include award design, grant sizing, performance conditions, dilution, vesting, or global administration.

Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to interpret compensation data and communicate key findings.

Experience supporting governance processes, internal controls, audit readiness, or data‑quality standards.

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical information clearly and prepare senior leadership materials.

Ability to build relationships and collaborate across Human Resources, Finance, Legal, Tax, Payroll, Global Mobility, Equity Administration, and Investor Relations.

Sound judgment, discretion, and attention to detail when handling confidential and complex information.

Experience managing projects and coordinating work across teams and functions.

Experience with Workday or a comparable human resources information system, compensation platform, equity administration system, or analytics tool.

Preferred

Advanced degree or relevant professional certification in Human Resources, Business, Finance, Law, or a related discipline.

Executive compensation experience across multiple countries or markets, particularly the United States and Japan.

Knowledge of securities, tax, equity, disclosure, or corporate governance requirements in the United States, Japan, or other relevant markets.

Experience supporting executive compensation programs in a global public company, life sciences organization, or another complex and highly regulated environment.

Takeda is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible candidate experience. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please follow the accommodation instructions included in the job posting.

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: $154,400.00 - $242,550.00 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.

For information about our benefits, please click here.

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.

Takeda

Takeda is an industry-leading, global pharmaceutical company with an unwavering dedication to putting patients at the center of everything we do. We live our values of Takeda-ism – Integrity, Fairness, Honesty, and Perseverance – and are united by our mission to strive towards Better Health and a Brighter Future for people worldwide through leading innovation in medicine. Here, everyone matters and you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission. At Takeda, you will make an impact on people’s lives – including your own.

Takeda is an equal opportunity employer. For applicants of U.S and Puerto Rico positions: Click here to learn about our commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO). If you are limited in the ability to use our job application tool, or otherwise require a reasonable accommodation for a disability please click here.