Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Takeda Pharmaceutical; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 212,000 - 333,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

Job summary

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. is seeking an experienced Senior Director of Medicinal Chemistry to guide strategy and portfolio decisions, and oversee CRO-driven programs.

The role demands leadership of a chemistry organization, cross-functional collaboration, and external partnerships to advance drug candidates from discovery through development. You will mentor high-performing teams, drive innovation, and align chemistry plans with company priorities, while managing budgets, timelines and data

Qualifications

• PhD in Chemistry or Medicinal Chemistry with 15+ years of experience; MS with 21+ years or BS with 23+ years.
• Proven track record leading drug discovery programs delivering clinical candidates.
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Deep understanding of medicinal chemistry principles, project execution and drug design.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; ability to explain complex science.
• Experience managing external CRO partners for medicinal chemistry programs across regions.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and adaptive decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the medicinal chemistry department.
• Oversee medicinal chemistry projects at CROs, including budget, vendor performance and data integrity.
• Mentor and develop internal chemists and foster collaboration.
• Partner with biology, pharmacology and clinical teams to advance candidates.
• Drive innovation through new technologies, methodologies and best practices.
• Build and maintain external partnerships with academia, industry and CROs.
• Identify external opportunities aligned with scientific, therapeutic and commercial goals.

Skills

Medicinal Chemistry leadership

Drug discovery leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Team development

Communication

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Chemistry / Medicinal Chemistry

MS in Chemistry

BS in Chemistry

Job description

Job Description

About the role:

We are seeking an experienced leader to join the Global Chemistry Leadership Team as Senior Director of Medicinal Chemistry. In this role, the successful candidate will provide strategic guidance and oversight for our medicinal chemistry efforts. Drawing on deep drug-hunting expertise, they will help shape chemistry strategy and portfolio decisions, and ensure alignment with company priorities. They will also oversee medicinal chemistry projects conducted at contract research organizations (CROs), with accountability for their execution and progression.

How you will contribute:

• Leadership and Strategy: Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the medicinal chemistry department, aligned with company strategy and priorities.
• Project Management: Oversee the design, execution, and management of medicinal chemistry projects conducted at CROs, ensuring timely progress and high-quality outcomes, including vendor performance, budget, data integrity, and IP protection.
• Team Development: Mentor and develop a team of internal chemists, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.
• Collaboration: Partner closely with cross-functional teams, including biology, pharmacology, and clinical development, to advance drug candidates from discovery through development.
• Innovation: Drive innovation in medicinal chemistry through the integration of new technologies, methodologies, and best practices.
• External Partnerships: Build and maintain relationships with external partners, including academic institutions, industry collaborators, and CROs.
• Business Development: Identify and create external opportunities that meet the strategic scientific, therapeutic, and commercial needs of the organization

Qualifications:

• Expected education and experience: PhD degree in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, or a related discipline, with 15+ years experience, or MS with 21+ years experience, or BS with 23+ years experience
• Proven track record of leading drug discovery programs that have delivered clinical candidates.
• Leadership Skills: Experience leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of medicinal chemistry principles, project execution, and drug design.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex scientific concepts to a broad audience.
• CRO Management: Experience managing external CRO partners for medicinal chemistry programs, including vendor oversight, budget and resource management, and data quality, ideally across multiple regions and time zones.
• Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive and innovative approach to challenges.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to changing priorities and make sound decisions with incomplete or evolving data.

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” in accordance with 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.

For Location:

Boston, MA

U.S. Base Salary Range:

$212,000.00 - $333,190.00

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

YesIt 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.