Associate Director, CRO Strategic Outsourcing

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Job Description

Are you looking for a patient-focused, innovation-driven company that will inspire you and empower you to shine? Join us as an Associate Director, CRO Management in our Cambridge office.

At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to realize their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, encourage innovation, and strive for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Here, you will be a vital contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

Objective / Purpose:

The Research Strategy and Operations function is responsible for integrating scientific acumen with business analytics and processes to deliver clear business plans, operational excellence and portfolio progression for the Takeda Research pipeline.

The Associate Director, CRO Management will provide strategic oversight and relationship management of Contract Research Organizations (CROs) to enhance operational efficiencies and expand research capabilities, thereby supporting drug discovery programs. This role is crucial in shaping the strategic planning, vendor sourcing, evaluation, contracting, and monitoring of both business and scientific performance of strategic CRO partners.

We are seeking an experienced and highly motivated individual to oversee our early discovery chemistry-focused activities that are outsourced to CROs. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in organic/medicinal chemistry and experience in managing external partnerships with CROs. This role will be critical in ensuring the successful execution of chemistry projects that align with Takeda’s strategic objectives.

Accountabilities:

• Provide leadership, management and oversite for Strategic Outsourcing and Contract Research Organization (CRO) management to support Takeda Research projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals, and to ensure teams are enabled with strong, fit-for-purpose external synthetic chemistry resources to support small molecule activities.
• Mentor, coach, and develop team members and provide a support structure to create highly efficient, impactful teams.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with key CROs partners that are aligned with long-term Research objectives and innovation goals.
• Focus on building relationships that go beyond transactional interactions to create collaborative environments that foster mutual growth and learning.
• Conduct CRO site qualification visits and select CROs based not only on operational capabilities but also on their strategic alignment with the company’s vision, their ability to innovate, and their reputation in the industry.
• Consider the strategic geographical locations, therapeutic area expertise, and technological advancements of CROs in the selection process.
• Integrate CROs into the strategic planning processes, ensuring that their capabilities are fully leveraged in the company’s drug discovery efforts.
• Establish and maintain high-level executive connections between the company and the CRO to ensure open lines of communication and to strengthen the strategic relationship.
• Regularly engage in strategic discussions to align on expectations, share insights, and update on shifts in the industry landscape or company direction.
• Evaluate CRO performance on operational metrics like timeliness and budget adherence as well as fit to evolving Research and disease area strategies.
• Proactively identify strategic risks associated with outsourcing to CROs, including intellectual property issues, dependency risks, and alignment with long-term goals.
• Develop strategies to mitigate these risks while fostering an environment of trust and mutual benefit.
• Work with CROs to understand their development plans and how these align with the company’s future needs.

Education & Competencies :

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, or related field preferred but may not be required based on industrial experience in a Pharma/Biotech R&D setting. Advanced degree (Ph.D. preferred) in Chemistry or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry with significant exposure to CRO management and oversite of outsourced chemistry projects.
• Solid knowledge in chemistry related activities in CRO (organic synthesis, characterization, library management, in vitro pharmacology based screening, safety and pharmacokinetics related screening, etc.) management and oversight and has a solid foundation on the operational support needed to advance discovery.
• Has strong leadership skills and acumen and the ability to manage cross-functional teams.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills with proven track record of strategic planning and execution in a research environment.
• Deep understanding of drug discovery processes and Takeda therapeutic areas.
• Strategic mindset and the ability to think critically and creatively to drive innovation and business growth.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.

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

This position is currently classified as “hybrid” in accordance with Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy. 

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Takeda Compensation and Benefits Summary

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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.

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