Research Strategy Development & Integration Lead

Takeda; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 177,000 - 278,080; Full time

Job summary

Takeda seeks a Research Strategy Development & Integration Lead in the Boston/Cambridge area to unify AI, automation, and technology programs into a coherent transformation roadmap. You will partner with the Head of Strategy Development and senior researchers to shape strategy and drive execution.

You will evaluate AI-enabled drug discovery and emerging tech, translating opportunities into strategic options and credible roadmaps while engaging enterprise leaders and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in life sciences or technology strategy.
• Advanced degree: PhD in life sciences or quantitative discipline, or MBA – MS or equivalent.
• Experience leading large-scale technology-enabled or digital transformation programs in life sciences, biotech, or research-intensive contexts.
• Experience leading or overseeing agile delivery programs in a complex organizational context.
• Working knowledge of drug discovery and development processes.
• Fluency in AI, data science, or platform-driven approaches to drug discovery.
• Demonstrated fluency in AI and emerging technologies as strategic tools.
• Strong ability to synthesize complexity across multiple initiatives and surface strategic signals.
• Proven track record of influencing senior stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong executive communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Integrate strategic initiatives across AI, automation, and technology programs within Research transformation.
• Develop and advance a perspective on applying AI and emerging tech within Research.
• Identify and manage cross-initiative dependencies and sequencing risks.
• Advance Research transformation and Labs of Tomorrow with external perspectives and trends.
• Prepare senior leadership and governance forums with synthesized program status for decision-making.
• Monitor external AI and tech landscape for strategic implications to the transformation agenda.
• Collaborate with Research leadership to resource strategic priorities across the organization.
• Maintain multi-year strategic roadmap with scenario planning and prioritization.
• Build relationships with program managers to inform strategic judgment without duplicating PM functions.
• Contribute to wider Takeda R&D strategy intersections.

Skills

Strategic thinking

AI fluency

Executive communication

Stakeholder alignment

Collaboration leadership

Ambiguity navigation

Education

PhD in life sciences or quantitative discipline

MBA / MS or equivalent

Job description

Job Description

Research Strategy Development & Integration Lead

The Research Strategy Development function is responsible for integrating scientific acumen with strategic and operational capabilities to drive the vision, coherence, and execution of Takeda Research's most critical strategy & transformation priorities, including the flagship initiative “Labs of Tomorrow”. Takeda Research is constructing a Lab of Tomorrow built on AI, automation, new ways of working, and talent with the singular vision of delivering differentiated medicines to the clinic at speed and cost.

The Research Strategy Development & Integration Lead is a critical member of our Research Strategy Development team, responsible for ensuring that strategic initiatives (such as Labs of Tomorrow) advance as coherent, integrated strategies rather than a collection of parallel initiatives. This individual serves as a senior strategic partner to the Head of Strategy Development, aligning roadmaps, resolving cross-initiative dependencies, and continuously advancing the strategic thinking that underpins Research's broader transformation.

The role requires a combination of deep strategic acumen, hands‑on fluency in AI and emerging technologies, and experience driving life sciences transformations – someone who can evaluate technological possibilities with rigor, translate them into strategic options, and operate as a credible thought partner to both senior enterprise leaders and technical teams. Experience in strategy consulting and direct exposure to AI-enabled drug discovery, automation, or next-generation research models is strongly preferred.

Accountabilities

• Serves as the integrator across strategic initiatives – including AI, automation, and technology programs – maintaining a holistic view and ensuring individual components collectively advance the overarching transformation vision.
• Develops and advances a point of view on how AI, automation, and emerging technologies should be applied within Research, translating external innovation into concrete strategic options and recommendations for the transformation roadmap.
• Identifies and actively manages cross-initiative dependencies, sequencing risks, and strategic tensions, working with initiative leads and program managers to maintain alignment.
• Advances the strategic thinking of the Research transformation and Labs of Tomorrow over time – challenging assumptions, identifying gaps in the current vision, and bringing external perspectives and emerging trends to bear on program evolution.
• Partners closely with the Head of Research Strategy Development to prepare senior leadership and governance forums, synthesizing program status into clear strategic narratives and facilitating high-quality decision‑making.
• Monitors and critically evaluates the external landscape for advances in AI, data science, and technology‑enabled research models – assessing their maturity, applicability, and strategic implications for Research's transformation agenda and roadmap.
• Collaborates with Research senior leadership and cross‑functional partners to ensure strategic priorities are understood, supported, and appropriately resourced across the organization.
• Supports the development and maintenance of Research’s multi‑year strategic roadmap, including scenario planning and prioritization frameworks that account for evolving internal and external conditions.
• Builds strong working relationships with program managers embedded across strategic initiatives, leveraging operational intelligence to inform strategic judgment without duplicating program management functions.
• Contributes to the broader Research Strategy agenda, including select enterprise strategy projects where Research intersects with Takeda's wider R&D priorities.

Education & Competencies

• 10+ years of experience in life sciences or technology strategy, ideally with a strong foundation in management consulting.
• Advanced degree required; PhD in life sciences or quantitative discipline, or MBA – MS or equivalent combinations considered based on experience profile.
• Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to large‑scale technology-enabled or digital transformation programs in a life sciences, biotech, or research‑intensive context.
• Experience leading or overseeing agile delivery programs in a complex organizational context.
• Working knowledge of drug discovery and development processes; ability to engage credibly with Research scientists and leaders on scientific strategy without requiring deep domain expertise.
• Fluency in AI, data science, or platform‑driven approaches to drug discovery; experience at or advising AI‑first biotech or tech-enabled life sciences organizations is a strong differentiator.
• Demonstrated fluency in AI and emerging technologies as strategic tools – able to evaluate technology claims critically, engage productively with technical teams, and translate technological possibility into strategic advantage.
• Exceptional ability to synthesize complexity across multiple initiatives and surface the strategic signal from operational noise.
• Proven track record of influencing and aligning senior stakeholders across functions without direct authority.
• Strong executive communication skills – able to distill nuanced program dynamics into clear, compelling narratives for leadership audiences.
• High intellectual curiosity and comfort operating in ambiguous, fast‑evolving environments.
• Collaborative leadership style with the maturity to serve as a trusted partner across all levels of the organization.

Additional Information

• The position will be based in Cambridge, MA. This position is currently classified as “hybrid” by Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy.

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.

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

Boston, MA

Worker Type

Employee

Worker Sub-Type

Regular

Time Type

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.