Senior Director: Cell Therapy Discovery Core Portfolio Lead, Oddu

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 (Title) 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/PURPOSE The Oncology Drug Discovery Unit (ODDU) is looking for a Leader who will serve as Senior Director, Cell Therapy Discovery Core Portfolio Lead reporting into the Cell Therapy Drug Discovery Lead. The individual should have strong Drug Discovery experience applying a disease-first strategy focused on understanding and exploiting the underlying mechanisms of a disease to develop creative approaches with lead assets while training a skilled scientific team. This strategic leader is able and willing to contribute to projects moving from target identification and validation through early clinical proof of concept.
The successful candidate will have a strong background in cell therapy and gene engineering, as well as a deep understanding of innate cell biology, cancer/immune cell biology in the tumor microenvironment, CAR engineering, gene editing, viral vector design, in vivo skills, strong leadership skills, the ability to incorporate emerging approaches into workflows, to provide scientific insights, and the ability to think critically about long-term strategy anticipating the future needs in the field of cell therapies and beyond. The candidate will serve on the scientific leadership team of the ODDU and is responsible for peer review of data package plans, agreement on innovation priorities, generating clear data package expectations that enable the ability to easily track progress and note potential issues. The candidate is expected to be influential across the entire drug discovery spectrum in Research inclusive of partner functions to elevate the Oncology portfolio and in partnership with other therapeutic areas to accelerate development of Takeda's discovery portfolio.
ACCOUNTABILITIES Create, define, and effectively communicate the vision and strategy of the Cell Therapy team as it relates to establishing and progressing an industry-leading research portfolio in collaboration with other Portfolio Leads across the DDU.Responsible for the development and characterization of cellular therapies, including NK, gamma delta T cells, and other adoptive cell transfer approaches.Develop and implement research strategies and project plans for the development of novel cell-based therapies. This leader will be responsible for leading research for selected cell therapy at Takeda and explore rational combinations in close collaboration with Research and Development project teams, Portfolio Leads, Discovery Leads and Lab Heads across the ODDU to develop the strategies and to enable execution of robust, decision-enabling preclinical and translation experiments.Build and mentor a team tailored to the vision and strategic imperatives of the ODDU.Collaborate with cross-functional teams, such as Global Biologics and Cell Therapy Science within Takeda, as well as other internal and external research partners, to develop and implement drug discovery strategies.Responsible for working closely with Cell Therapy Sciences to develop and execute the transition of a cell therapy platform and processes from the discovery stage to clinical manufacturing. This will involve conducting small-scale research process development and performing functional testing in preclinical models.The leader is a scientific driver for research strategy that partners with CEI (Center for External Innovation) to bring in external innovation to supplement internal pipeline priorities.Identify and evaluate new technologies and tools for the development of novel cell therapies.Oversee the work of Discovery Leads and In Vivo focused Lab Head and team providing feedback and detailed scientific guidance and taking corrective action as needed.Develop, drive, and execute the Research plans for selected cell therapy programs to support pre-IND packages for the DDU portfolio in partnership with Discovery Leads and Lab Heads and teams.Represent ODDU within R&D and the TAU, as well as to external stakeholders with respect to the cell therapy programs being supported.Drive and deliver the pre-clinical development of cell therapy programs and across the ODDU portfolio, leveraging resources as needed on key ODDU initiatives and assets.Serve as an experienced thought leader for Immuno-Oncology & Translational Oncology within Takeda, guiding the research strategy and ensuring its successful execution while supporting talent development as a strong mentor and role model for cell therapy research.Develop and deliver on the design, execution, and analysis of mechanism of action and proof-of-concept studies, in close partnership across ODDU, R&D, and the TAU, including perspective across the continuum of discovery and development with a global perspective.Support business critical decision making for pre-IND packages within the cell therapy pipeline, and also the broader Takeda ODDU portfolio.Determine project priorities and timetables, analyze and evaluate data from preclinical and clinical investigations.Leverage up-to-date knowledge of drug development and competitive landscape at internal governance bodies as well as at key interfaces with external partners, to guide decision making.Drive biology focus with solid translation and clinical path in partnership with Research and TAU (Therapeutic Area Unit) partners.Provide direction for the identification of new targets aligned with the iDAS (integrated disease area strategy) in collaboration with the Oncology Development Therapeutic Area Unit and the Oncology Business Unit.Provide significant input into overall ODDU portfolio and department strategy.Provide leadership and strategic support across Research, and/or to external collaborators.Responsible for management of resourcing and budget planning for the cell therapy field.Ability to work in a highly matrixed environment and establish robust connections between the biology and translational team, engaging cross-functional teams to support projects.Work closely with in-house and external partners in developing solid translational and research plans, in interpreting results, and in determining next steps to maximize patient-centered value of the portfolio.Create scientific reports and papers and deliver presentations to both internal and external audiences.EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS: PhD in Immunology or related field with 12+ years of industry experience.7 (Director)-9 (Senior Director) years of Industry experience required, and 7 (Director)-9 (Senior Director) years of managerial experience required.Excellent knowledge in immunology, oncology, cell therapy, in vivo experimental design and drug discovery is required.Familiarity with validation of drug targets and the exploratory drug development process. Proven biopharmaceutical industry experience developing and leading innovative therapeutic programs and advancing complex technologies.Excellent oral and written communication skills, including writing, reviewing and editing scientific documents and presenting to a range of stakeholders.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.Takeda's high-engagement and ONE Research DEI culture is an important factor in our success; we seek team members who will contribute to and further strengthen that culture in all ways of working.Right attitude (agile, curious, positive, open-minded, "can-do" mindset), must be willing and able to be "hands-on," results-oriented mindset.Effective leadership, people management, communication skills, and a team builder management style are essential.Ability to take an enterprise mindset to enable the success of Takeda.
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