Head of Characterization Small Molecules

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use.  I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge. 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 Characterization Small Molecules 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: Establish a clear vision and roadmap for extended characterization that aligns with discovery, development, and manufacturing needs across small and mid molecules (Oligo, small molecules and peptides). Implement, optimize, and apply cutting-edge techniques (e.g., MS, NMR, microscopy) to strengthen understanding of drug substance and product properties, stability, and quality. Identify and integrate emerging technologies and digital tools to modernize characterization platforms and improve efficiency and scientific impact. Create and sustain a high-performing team through hiring, mentoring, resource planning, and talent development. Partner with analytical, DS/DP, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure characterization insights are embedded into development and production decisions. Build external collaborations and enhance scientific reputation through publications, conferences, and industry engagement. ACCOUNTABILITIES: Define, lead, and deliver the extended characterization strategy across the CMC portfolio to support drug discovery, development, and manufacturing. Oversee the implementation, optimization, and application of advanced analytical platforms (e.g., MS, NMR, microscopy, bioassays) to enable deep process and product understanding. Identify, evaluate, and integrate emerging analytical and digital technologies to modernize characterization capabilities and improve efficiency and scientific impact. Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing scientific organization, including talent development, succession planning, budgeting, and resource allocation. Partner with analytical, DS, DP, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure characterization insights are embedded into development, scale-up, and production decisions. Establish and manage strategic external partnerships and enhance organizational reputation through publications, conferences, and thought leadership. CORE ELEMENTS RELATED TO THIS ROLE: Set enterprise strategy for extended characterization across the CMC portfolio Enable deep product and process understanding using advanced analytical technologies Build and sustain best‑in‑class analytical capability through talent, platforms, and innovation Embed characterization insights into development and manufacturing decisions DIMENSIONS AND ASPECTS: Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise: Deep expertise in mass spectrometry (MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and advanced microscopy applied to drug discovery, development, and manufacturing. Ability to generate in‑depth understanding of molecular attributes, structure, stability, and quality for small and/or large molecules across the CMC lifecycle. Oversight of advanced bioassay platforms to support product characterization and performance understanding. Strong grounding in analytical characterization within pharmaceutical CMC, including support of development, scale‑up, and manufacturing. Capability to evaluate, implement, and scale emerging analytical technologies to strengthen characterization depth and efficiency. Experience with crystallography, particle science, and physical chemistry applied to pharmaceutical products. Hands‑on experience implementing modelling, digital tools, and advanced data analytics in characterization workflows. Experience managing external analytical partners and supporting transfer of methods to manufacturing environments. Technical experience supporting regulatory submissions and approval processes from an analytical characterization perspective. Leadership: Strategic and scientific leadership: Set direction for extended characterization and provide credible thought leadership in advanced analytical science People and capability building: Build, mentor, and sustain a high‑performing, future‑ready scientific organization Cross‑functional influence: Align and partner effectively across CMC, DS, DP, manufacturing, and quality to drive impact Change and innovation leadership: Lead modernization of analytical platforms and adoption of emerging technologies Decision-making and Autonomy: Full authority to define and drive the extended characterization vision, priorities, and roadmap across the CMC portfolio. Autonomy to select, implement, and evolve advanced analytical technologies and digital tools. Decision rights over team structure, hiring, talent development, budgeting, and resource prioritization. Authority to establish external collaborations and set the depth and direction of characterization that informs development and manufacturing decisions. Interaction: Work closely with ADQC, DS, DP, manufacturing, and quality teams to align characterization efforts with development and production needs. Provide direction, coaching, and prioritization to internal scientific teams to ensure delivery and capability growth. Engage with senior scientific and functional leaders to shape priorities, strategy, and investment decisions through analytical insight. Build strategic relationships with external partners and represent the organization through publications and scientific forums. Innovation: Modernize and evolve characterization platforms to maintain cutting‑edge analytical depth and efficiency Adopt emerging and digital and modelling technologies to enhance data quality, insight generation, and decision‑making Leverage external innovation through academic and industry partnerships to accelerate scientific advancement Complexity: Enterprise and portfolio complexity: Oversight of extended characterization across diverse programs spanning discovery, development, and manufacturing. High scientific and technical complexity: Integration of multiple advanced analytical platforms applied to varied molecules and modalities. Cross‑functional and stakeholder complexity: Managing interdependencies across analytical, DS, DP, manufacturing, quality, and external partners. Change and regulatory complexity: Driving innovation and modernization within a highly regulated, risk‑sensitive environment. EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS: Ph.D. with 5-7+ years, MSc with 10-13+ years, BSc with 12-15+ years of industry experience in a relevant life sciences discipline with in analytical development and characterization. Deep experience with advanced characterization techniques (e.g., MS, NMR, microscopy) applied within CMC. Strong understanding of analytical development supporting discovery, development, manufacturing, and regulatory submissions. Proven scientific leadership, strong communication and collaboration skills, and ability to manage complex priorities and stakeholders. Experience supporting regulatory submissions and approval processes. Track record in modernizing analytical platforms or introducing new technologies at scale. Leadership: Proven track record of leading teams, developing talent, and driving strategic initiatives. Strategic thinking: analyses current and future scenarios, disrupts the status quo with innovation, while remaining pragmatic and focused on priorities Results oriented: Demonstrated ability to drive initiatives from concept to execution Structured, goal-oriented and highly motivated Fluent in English. Japanese is a plus Strong and proven ability to work transversally on a local and global level 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.  #LI-JT1 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.  For information about our benefits, please click here. 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.