Senior Director, Small Molecule CMC Advisor (Analytical Development)

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co.; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 212,000 - 333,000; Full time

Job summary

Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. in Boston, MA is seeking a Senior Director, Small Molecule CMC Advisor to lead analytical development strategies for API and drug products.

You will mentor teams, guide cross-functional programs from early-stage to regulatory submission, and optimize timelines and costs while maintaining quality and compliance. The role is hybrid in Boston with global regulatory responsibilities, IND/CTA and NDA/MAA support, and a strong emphasis on sponsor collaboration and technical

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 25+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Master’s degree with 21+ years of relevant industry experience.
• PhD with 15+ years of relevant industry experience.
• Leadership and mentorship proven track record.

Responsibilities

• Lead analytical development strategies for API and drug products.
• Mentor analytical development leaders and scientists.
• Design strategic initiatives to streamline analytical workflows and reduce costs.
• Establish drug substance and drug product specifications and control strategies.
• Author and defend analytical CMC sections for regulatory filings (IND/CTA, NDA/MAA).
• Partner with QA to manage OOS investigations, deviations and CAPAs.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Process Chemistry, Formulation, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and Supply Chain.

Skills

Analytical strategy

Leadership

Mentorship

Cost optimization

Regulatory submissions

Quality & investigations

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

PhD

Job description

Job Description

About the role:

We are seeking an experienced and visionary Senior Director, Small Molecule CMC Advisor to lead the analytical development strategy for our small molecule portfolio. In this high-impact leadership role, you will act as the analytical and CMC subject matter expert (SME) across cross-functional development teams, guiding programs from early-stage candidate selection through late-stage clinical trials and BLA/NDA registration. You will mentor and analytical team leaders on our project teams and strategically advise on AD project related initiatives to reduce development costs and accelerate timelines without compromising quality or compliance.

How you will contribute:

• Analytical Strategy & Leadership: Lead and execute comprehensive, phase-appropriate analytical development strategies for drug substances (API) and drug products.
• Talent Mentorship & Growth: Mentor, coach, and guide internal analytical development leaders and scientists, fostering professional growth, technical excellence, and strong project management capabilities.
• Strategic Speed & Cost Optimization: Proactively work with the Analytical Portfolio Leadership and Pharmascience Teams to design and execute strategic initiatives to streamline analytical workflows, reduce costs, and compress timelines to accelerate candidate molecules to clinic and market.
• Specifications & Control Strategies: Establish scientifically justified drug substance and drug product specifications based on batch history, clinical exposure, and stability data. Advise and mentor Analytical Development Team leaders on the development of a holistic control strategy.
• Regulatory Submissions: Author, review, and defend analytical CMC sections for global regulatory filings (IND/CTA, NDA/MAA) and respond directly to health authority inquiries.
• Quality & Investigations: Partner with Quality Assurance (QA) to manage Out-of-Specification (OOS) investigations, deviations, and CAPAs.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as senior AD advisor assisting the AD team to drive project alignment across project teams alongside Process Chemistry, Formulation, Regulatory Affairs, Quality, and Supply Chain.

Qualifications:

• Education & Experience: Bachelors/ degree 25+ years relevant industry experience.
• Masters degree 21+ years relevant industry experience.
• PhD and 15+ years relevant industry experience.
• Leadership & Mentorship: Proven track record of successfully mentoring and elevating junior/mid-level analytical leaders or project managers.
• Business & Operational Acumen: Demonstrated capability to identify and resolve operational bottlenecks and implement successful cost-containment or timeline-acceleration initiatives within CMC models.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of cGMP regulations, ICH guidelines, and global health authority expectations (FDA, EMA) for small molecule development with technical expertise in synthetic molecules and oligosaccharides and/or peptides.
• Oversight Acumen: Proven track record in analytical development/validation, stability program design and tech transfer as well as a strong knowledge of industry standard practices for nitrosamines, dissolution, solid form characterization, impurity identification and polymorph predication.
• Extensive experience driving analytical activities within a CMC team as either an Analytical Representative or CMC lead.

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.

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.

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.