Lead, R&D Leadership Communications & Employee Engagement

Takeda; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 174,500 - 274,230; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Paid vacation and sick time

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A leading pharmaceutical company is seeking a Director for R&D Leadership Communications & Employee Engagement. This role involves strategic partnership with the R&D President, driving innovative communication initiatives and engagement programs. Candidates should have a bachelor's degree in relevant fields and at least 10 years of experience in executive communications, preferably in the healthcare sector. The position is hybrid based in Cambridge, MA with a competitive salary ranging from $174,500 to $274,230, and attractive benefits.

Qualifications

• 10 years of professional experience with increased responsibility.
• Executive communications experience required.
• Experience in the healthcare/bio-pharma industry preferred.

Responsibilities

• Craft compelling communications for the R&D President.
• Drive engagement programs connecting employees and leadership.
• Champion innovation through emerging technologies.

Skills

Comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry

Excellent communicator

Ability to inspire, motivate, and drive results

Team player

Digital-minded leader

Education

Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, or public policy/public affairs

Job description

Lead, R&D Leadership Communications & Employee Engagement

The Lead, R&D Leadership Communications & Employee Engagement, Director level, will serve as a strategic partner to the President of R&D and the R&D Management Committee, driving communications and engagement programs that connect employees, amplify leadership voices, and align R&D priorities with enterprise goals. This person will craft compelling, story-driven communications and lead high-impact initiatives of strategic importance to R&D. They will also manage executive thought leadership platforms, oversee internal channels, and champion innovation through emerging technologies like AI and automation – all while fostering a culture of inclusion, empowerment, and continuous improvement.

This position is classified as “hybrid” under Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy. It requires a minimum of eight (8) in-office days per month at our Cambridge, MA office.

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise

• Comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry
• Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions and cultures
• Enterprise-level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate, and drive results
• Ability to present complex information clearly and with confidence
• Excellent communicator, able to persuasively convey both ideas and data, verbally and in writing
• Proven skills as an effective team player who can engender trust, credibility, and confidence within and outside the company
• Ability to distil complex issues and ideas down to simple comprehensible terms
• Embraces and demonstrates a diversity and inclusion mindset and role models these behaviors for the organization

Decision-making and Autonomy

• Broad decision-making responsibilities
• Ability to make highly complex decisions that impact the enterprise
• Ability to seek diverse input from multiple constituents and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions
• Ability to incorporate feedback and ensure decisions are made swiftly to yield flawless execution
• Accountable for designing and implementing vision and strategy for designated scope

Interaction

• Foster solutions-oriented thinking by fostering a culture of performance, accountability, simplicity, empowerment, external orientation, and curiosity
• Effectively navigate the changing external and internal environment and lead others through change by creating and inspiring an engaging workplace
• Effectively negotiate and collaborate with business partners, demonstrating the ability to resolve conflict constructively
• Build strong partnerships and drive role clarity with other Takeda functions, including but not limited to R&D, DD&T, Finance, IT, Procurement, HR, Legal/Compliance, Global Corporate Affairs, Public Affairs, external vendors, and others

Innovation

• Visionary and forward-thinking with the ability to influence and effectively drive organizational change and continuous innovation; comfortable challenging the status quo and bringing forward innovative solutions
• Take risks implementing innovative solutions, accelerating time to market
• Identify areas for process and systems innovation and implement change that will enhance overall effectiveness of the team
• Digital-minded leader continually seeking ways to incorporate AI and new technologies into daily work

Complexity

• Ability to work in a global and highly matrixed ecosystem (internal and external) with a high degree of complexity

Education, Behavioral Competencies and Skills

• Bachelor's degree – BS/BA, majors in Journalism, Communications, or public policy/public affairs preferred
• A minimum of 10 years with demonstrated increased level of responsibility of professional experience required
• Executive communications experience required
• Strategic business partner with the ability to translate business information into language that employees and customers can understand
• Experience in adopting and driving AI-powered solutions
• Ability to negotiate and form consensus among various parties important
• Experience in the healthcare/bio-pharma industry is preferred
• Strong social media experience preferred
• A naturally creative writer who can write clear, compelling narratives customized for various stakeholders
• Ability to work directly with senior executives and a proven track record in developing authentic and inspiring executive communications
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously
• Strong organizational skills accompanied by the ability to multi-task and problem-solve
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment
• Team player and self-starter with a positive attitude

Compensation and Benefits

U.S. Base Salary Range: $174,500.00 – $274,230.00 per year. The actual base salary will be based on qualifications, experience, skills, and location. U.S. employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-term incentives, medical, dental, vision insurance, 401(k) plan with company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, well-being benefits, up to 80 hours of sick time, and up to 120 hours of paid vacation for new hires.

Location: Cambridge, MA

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.

Seniority Level

Mid-Senior level

Employment Type

Full-time

Job Function

Research, Analyst, and Information Technology

Industries

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing