Global Head of Ethics & Compliance, R&D Business Partner

Takeda; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 259,000 - 407,000; Full time

Job summary

You will lead a global E&C team, partner with Legal, Quality, Regulatory, Medical, Privacy, Risk, HR and other functions to enable responsible innovation and consistent execution across R&D.

Qualifications

• 15+ years in ethics, compliance, governance, or related fields.
• Experience supporting global R&D or life sciences functions.
• Proven ability to advise senior executives on complex ethics, governance, and business conduct.
• Strong understanding of R&D risk areas including clinical development and partnerships.
• Ability to lead a global team in a matrixed environment.
• Strong executive presence and communication skills.
• Advanced risk judgment and strategic problem-solving.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
• Experience partnering with Legal, Quality, Regulatory, Medical, Privacy, Risk, HR.
• Data-driven approach using risk indicators and audits.
• AI-forward leadership and responsible AI use guidance.
• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global R&D E&C Business Partner team and ensure risk-based support across R&D functions, regions, and governance forums.
• Develop and execute the E&C strategy and business partner model for Global R&D in alignment with Takeda values.
• Advise the R&D President and senior leadership on ethics, compliance, governance, and business conduct risks.
• Embed E&C standards into R&D strategy, governance, and external collaborations.
• Guide senior leaders on emerging risks across the R&D lifecycle including data use and third-party partnerships.
• Represent E&C risks and insights in R&D and Legal, Ethics & Compliance forums.
• Collaborate with Legal, Quality, Regulatory, Medical, Privacy, Risk, HR, and other functions for integrated support.
• Translate enterprise E&C policies into practical guidance for responsible innovation.
• Drive risk-based communications, training, and engagement tailored to Global R&D.

Skills

Executive leadership

Strategic advisory

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

AI in compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree preferred (law/compliance/life sciences)

Job description

Job Description

About Us:

The Head Ethics & Compliance Business Partners for Global Research & Development leads the Ethics & Compliance strategy and business partner model for Takeda’s global R&D organization. As the primary E&C advisor to the R&D President and senior R&D leadership team, this role provides strategic counsel on complex ethics, compliance, governance, reputational, and business conduct risks. The role embeds Takeda’s values, standards, policies, and external regulatory expectations into R&D strategy, portfolio decision-making, innovation, and execution.

How you will contribute:

• Reporting to the Head E&C for R&D, GMA & SPD, this role is accountable for leading the global R&D E&C Business Partner team and ensuring consistent, risk-based support across R&D functions, regions, and governance forums. The role requires strong executive judgment, enterprise influence, and the ability to anticipate, assess, and guide responses to complex risks across a highly matrixed global R&D environment.
• Lead the Ethics & Compliance strategy and business partner model for Global R&D, aligned with Takeda values, enterprise E&C priorities, and evolving regulatory expectations.
• Serve as the primary E&C advisor to the R&D President and senior R&D leadership team on complex ethics, compliance, governance, reputational, and business conduct risks.
• Lead and develop the global R&D E&C Business Partner team, setting priorities, advisory standards, and operating expectations across R&D functions and regions.
• Embed E&C considerations into R&D strategy, portfolio governance, operational execution, innovation models, external collaborations, and key business decisions.
• Anticipate, assess, and guide senior leaders on emerging risks across the R&D lifecycle, including clinical development, research collaborations, data use, patient engagement, scientific exchange, and third-party partnerships.
• Represent R&D E&C risks, priorities, and insights in relevant R&D and Legal, Ethics & Compliance forums, ensuring appropriate escalation of significant or cross-area matters.
• Partner with Legal, Quality, Regulatory, Medical, Privacy, Risk, HR, and other functions to ensure integrated, risk-based support for Global R&D.
• Translate enterprise E&C standards, policies, and controls into practical guidance that enables responsible innovation and consistent execution across R&D.
• Use risk insights, monitoring outcomes, investigations, trends, and business intelligence to identify R&D compliance priorities, capability gaps, and targeted interventions.
• Oversee risk-based E&C initiatives, communications, training, and engagement strategies tailored to the scale, complexity, and needs of Global R&D.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15+ years of progressive experience in ethics and compliance, legal, risk, governance, healthcare, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, or another applicable experience.

• Experience supporting global R&D, clinical development, research, regulatory, medical, or related life sciences functions.

• Proven ability to advise senior executives on complex ethics, compliance, governance, reputational, and business conduct matters.

• Strong understanding of R&D risk areas, including clinical development, research collaborations, patient engagement, data use, scientific exchange, third-party partnerships, and regulatory interactions.

• Demonstrated ability to lead a global team, set priorities, build advisory capability, and develop talent in a matrixed environment.

• Strong executive presence, communication skills, and ability to translate complex risk topics into clear, practical business guidance.

• Advanced risk judgment and strategic problem-solving skills, with the ability to anticipate emerging risks and guide pragmatic mitigation strategies.

• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive accountability without direct authority across global, cross-functional teams.

• Experience partnering across Legal, Quality, Regulatory, Medical, Privacy, Risk, HR, Finance, and other enterprise functions.

• Strong data and insights orientation, with the ability to use monitoring outcomes, risk indicators, audit findings, and trend analysis to inform priorities.

• AI-forward leadership, with the ability to apply AI within the function and advise the business on responsible AI use.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in law, compliance, life sciences, healthcare, public policy, or a related field preferred.

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:

Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$259,000.00 - $407,000.00

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

Boston, MA

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.