Senior Director, AIRx Program Management

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Job Description

Takeda Research is constructing a Lab of Tomorrow built on AI, automation, new ways of working, and talent with the singular vision of delivering differentiated medicines to the clinic at speed and cost. To catalyze these efforts, Takeda is creating two complementary units: AI Research Accelerator (AIRx) and  Discovery Automation & Robotics (DAR).

AIRx will consist of a dedicated group of experienced drug hunters with the autonomy of a biotech and the resources of a leading pharmaceutical company. It is designed to incubate the future AI-powered operating models and deliver candidates to the clinic at industry leading speed and success rates. 

Role Purpose 

The Program Manager for AIRx serves as the operational and strategic integrator for a novel, high-velocity drug discovery model designed to deliver candidates at biotech speed within a large enterprise.  This role is about helping scientists decide better, and faster. As AIRx Program Manager, you will be the operational architect of a genuinely new model of drug discovery — not inheriting someone else’s process, but designing the one that the rest of Takeda Research will adopt. 

This role goes beyond traditional program management in drug discovery and will set the standard for program management excellence in the new operating model. The incumbent is accountable for driving clarity, decision velocity, and execution rigor across AIRx portfolios by integrating planning, governance, external partnerships, and resource orchestration into a cohesive operating system. 

Operating within a lean, highly empowered team structure, this leader enables scientific teams to focus on discovery by ensuring that priorities are clear, risks are surfaced early, and decisions are made quickly with high-quality information. 

The role also serves as a builder of the AIRx model, codifying ways of working and shaping scalable frameworks for future Labs of Tomorrow. 

Key Accountabilities 

Program Leadership & Integration 

• Own the integrated program strategy execution framework across AIRx teams, ensuring alignment from concept through candidate nomination 
• Translate scientific strategy and functional plans into clear, actionable integrated program plans, including milestones, activity-level planning, clear critical path, and decision points 
• Drive decision readiness, ensuring teams operate with clear assumptions, risks, and alternative scenarios to rapidly evolve plans based on emerging data 
• Maintain real-time visibility into program health, proactively identifying and resolving bottlenecks across all program domains (e.g., operational, technical, strategic) 

Execution Excellence & Operational Rigor 

• Lead end-to-end program integration, integrating internal teams, CRO partners, and consulting functions (e.g., DMPK, Safety, Structural Biology, IVR) 
• Drive high-tempo execution through structured forums (standups, sprint reviews, decision meetings) that prioritize outcomes over process 
• Ensure on-time, on-strategy decision-making to build or maintain momentum across program inflections and milestones while maintaining flexibility in rapidly evolving environments 
• Implement fit-for-purpose tools, dashboards, and workflows to enhance transparency and accelerate execution 

Governance & Decision Enablement 

• Own governance strategy and execution, including preparation for PRC and executive-level discussions 
• Ensure materials are decision-oriented, clearly framing trade-offs, risks, and recommendations 
• Drive lean governance, minimizing overhead while maximizing clarity and speed of decision-making 
• Act as a trusted partner to the Head of AIRx and senior stakeholders in shaping program narratives 

Risk Management & Proactive Leadership 

• Establish a culture of early risk identification and escalation, ensuring leadership visibility before issues fully materialize 
• Lead structured scenario planning and mitigation strategies to protect timelines and program value 
• Serve as the “wide-angle lens” across programs, identifying cross-cutting risks, dependencies, and opportunities 

External Partner & Ecosystem Management 

• Oversee coordination with CROs and external collaborators, ensuring clear deliverables, timelines, and accountability 
• Optimize data flow and handoffs across internal and external interfaces 
• Ensure external partnerships operate at the same pace and standards as AIRx internal teams 

Financial & Resource Stewardship 

• Own AIRx-level and program-level budget tracking and forecasting, ensuring disciplined use of ring-fenced funding 
• Partner with the Head of AIRx on resource allocation and prioritization aligned to program value 
• Drive transparency in cost-to-milestone and investment efficiency 

Operating Model Development & Scale 

• Capture and codify AIRx best practices, learnings, and operating principles 
• Contribute to the design of a repeatable, scalable Labs of Tomorrow model 
• Introduce innovative approaches, including AI/ML, digital tools, and automation, to enhance productivity and decision-making 

Enterprise Leadership & Influence 

• Serve as an enterprise leader within Research PM, shaping best practices and raising the bar for program execution & management excellence 
• Act as a bridge between AIRx and the broader Research organization, ensuring alignment and knowledge transfer 
• Mentor and influence across functions, fostering a culture of accountability, speed, and impact 

Education & Experience 

• Sound scientific knowledge with Bachelor’s degree with 23 years, MS 21 years or PhD 15 years in Science or Management related discipline 
• Expected of 8–10 years of program management experience with experience in early drug discovery (e.g., target identification, hit-to-lead stages) and late drug discovery (e.g., candidate stage, preclinical/IND enabling stages) in the capacity as a program manager 
• Project Management Professional (PMP®) certification required 
• Demonstrated success advancing programs from discovery through preclinical stages to IND filing/Ph1 enablement 
• Experience operating in fast-paced, resource-constrained, or biotech-like environments strongly preferred 

Core Competencies 

Strategic & Operational Leadership 

• Ability to integrate scientific, operational, and business inputs into coherent program strategies 
• Strong systems thinker who can introduce structure without slowing teams down 

Decision Orientation 

• Drives clarity in ambiguity; prioritizes decisions over data accumulation 
• Frames complex problems into actionable insights and trade-offs 

Execution & Accountability 

• Demonstrated ability to deliver in high-ambiguity, high-velocity environments 
• Strong bias for action with disciplined follow-through 

Influence & Communication 

• Exceptional communicator capable of engaging scientific, operational, and executive audiences 
• Able to influence without authority across a complex matrix 

Risk & Problem Solving 

• Proactively identifies risks early and drives timely escalation and resolution 
• Applies structured problem-solving to complex, cross-functional challenges 

Entrepreneurial Mindset 

• Thrives in building new models and ways of working 
• Comfortable operating with limited structure and evolving direction

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• The position will be based in Cambridge, MA.  This position is currently classified as “hybrid” by 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. 

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/ or long-term incentives. U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation. 

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.