Head of Oncology Translational Research

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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 a Head of Oncology Translational Research 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.

OBJECTIVES: 

The Head of Oncology Translational Research (OTR) is an exciting role within the Precision & Translational Medicine (PTM) function in the Takeda Oncology Therapeutic Area Unit (OTAU).  Oncology Translational Research is a highly innovative, cutting-edge modality agnostic translational research team that develops and provides critical oversight of translational strategies and deliverables for our Oncology programs from project initiation and target identification through the IND process.  The team also provides support to clinical stage programs and drives reverse translation to inform early discovery programs and build on platform and disease area learnings.  The Head of Oncology Translational Research is a strategic leader, a member of PTM Leadership Team, and accountable for overseeing a team of Translational Research Leads.   The incumbent will work closely with partners across the Takeda Oncology enterprise including the Oncology Drug Discovery Unit, Computational Oncology, Clinical Science, Portfolio Strategy, Business Development, and Program Management.  Experience working at the interface between discovery and development within the oncology field is essential.   

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Drive strategic priorities and direction of the Oncology Translational Research team ensuring alignment with the company's goals and objectives that deliver game-changing, highly differentiated, therapeutic opportunities for patients.
• Serve as a core member of the PTM leadership team and contribute to the culture, vision, priorities, and objectives of the OTAU PTM organization.
• Lead a high performing early translation research team supporting all Oncology discovery programs prior to IND filing. 
• Provide guidance and mentorship to team members, fostering their professional growth and development and grow the team as needed to support the needs of the business.
• Ensure appropriate innovation, rigor, quality, and excellence for translational deliverables in Takeda’s discovery Oncology programs and enable indication selection and biomarker prioritization for our clinical trials based on preclinical data, established models, and multi-modal real world data.
• Ensure development and delivery of translational strategies that will generate critical insights (TE, PD, PK MOA/POM, dose selection…etc) to inform program decision making in early clinical development.
• Establish new external translational partnerships as needed to advance key Oncology science and program initiatives as needed.
• Key point of contact with the Oncology Drug Discovery Unit on early pipeline programs and with other core research functions for experimental and reagent support.
• Serve as a thought partner for disease area strategy initiatives to accelerate our pipeline.
• Stay on top of industry trends to identify future translational gaps and opportunities, develop plans to implement and help programs pivot to ensure future success.
• Represent PTM in the evaluation and due diligence assessment of external assets and technologies.
• Represent PTM in governance reviews as needed to provide strategic scientific input into discovery and early clinical development plans.
• Supports and provides expertise to advance innovative translational capabilities with oncology
  translational research, oncology biomarkers, and strategic innovation.
• Lead and contribute to the development of internal scientific recommendations, strategy, external consortia, internal/external whitepapers for translational excellence, external publications, as needed.

EDUCATION AND COMPETENCIES

• PhD or MD/PhD with 12+ years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotech Research & Development.
• Strong track record of success developing and implementing preclinical and early clinical translational strategies to support oncology drug development programs, including successful IND filings.
• Excellent leadership and strategic planning skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate teams towards achieving ambitious goals.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including regulatory requirements and commercial considerations.
• Exceptional communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to diverse audiences.
• Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including academic institutions, research organizations, and industry collaborators.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities, with a data-driven mentality.
• Ability to work and drive decision-making within a multi-disciplinary, multi-regional, matrix
  teams with a global perspective with cultural competency.
• Good fit with Takeda core values and leadership principles, including the highest personal values and ethical standards.
• Right attitude (agile, curious, positive, open-minded, “can-do” mindset) must be willing and able to be “hands on,” results-oriented mindset.
• Strong track record of scientific publications desired.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to drive to or travel to conferences, partner meetings, including overnight trips. Some international travel may be required.
• Requires approximately 5% travel.

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

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. 

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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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