Head of AI and Data Science Foundation

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Job Description

Takeda is on an exciting journey to transform the organization by harnessing the power of data, analytics, artificial intelligence, agentic and intelligent automation. The Head of AI and Data Science will set and drive the strategic direction, execution, and enterprise impact of Takeda’s AI Forward programs and AI initiatives (Agentic, Generative, and Data Science), translating these capabilities into an AI-enabled organization at scale. 

Reporting to the Head of AI and Data within the Data, Digital and Technology (DD&T) organization, this leader will shape and oversee the AI roadmap from concept through delivery across the Takeda Pharma Value Chain, BioLife Value Chain processes, and enterprise programmatic solutions.

The role combines visionary technology leadership with hands-on execution, ensuring AI initiatives are prioritized, delivered at scale, and embedded into business workflows.

Working closely with business and technology stakeholders, this leader will ensure AI solutions are aligned to strategic priorities, adopted by end users, and measured against clear business outcomes.

The role will uphold Takeda’s standards for responsible, compliant, secure, and trustworthy AI throughout the solution lifecycle.

Driving Takeda’s AI Transformation

• Lead Takeda’s enterprise AI strategy and roadmap, translating business priorities into scalable AI-enabled capabilities that create measurable impact across the organization.

• Shape the direction, operating model, and execution cadence for enterprise AI initiatives, ensuring focus, accountability, and sustained value delivery.

• Build and lead an AI Center of Excellence that serves as a catalyst for transformation by sharing best practices, enabling communities of practice, and mobilizing cross-functional expertise.

• Connect strategy to execution through clear value cases, adoption goals, outcome metrics, and compelling executive communication.

Scaling AI Across the Enterprise

• Guide a portfolio of transformational AI initiatives (Game Changing and Process AI) across agentic AI, generative AI, intelligent automation, and data science, from ideation through deployment and enterprise scaling.

• Champion the use of AI to improve productivity, decision-making, customer experience, and operational effectiveness across Takeda’s global business functions with People experience function. 

• Promote innovation through AI Labs, rapid experimentation, pilots, and MVPs, while scaling successful solutions into sustainable production capabilities.

• Co-Own the end-to-end AI product lifecycle with Head of AI & Data Products, including selection of the technology stack, data organization, context and prompt engineering, and model training.

• Partner with Head of AI and Data Governance to evolve enterprise AI & Data governance structures and processes.

• Partners with Data & AI engineering, architecture, data platforms, MLOps, AIOps, and LLMOps teams to establish reusable patterns for secure, reliable, and scalable AI delivery.

• Own practice level financials, including revenue, pipeline development, profitability and operating model design

• Ensure AI capabilities are scalable, reliable, and embedded effectively into operational processes. Evaluate and manage third-party vendors, tools, and platforms related to AI, automation, and data infrastructure. Oversee all BI, AI, Reporting and Visualization processes and governance.

Collaborating Across Takeda

• Work closely with business, product, technology, data science, risk, legal, compliance, privacy, quality, security, and external partner teams to embed AI into everyday ways of working.

• Engage executive leaders, councils, and cross-functional teams to build alignment, secure investment, and create shared ownership for AI-enabled transformation.

• Partner with domain experts and business units to identify high-value opportunities where AI can accelerate decision-making, automation, and innovation.

• Communicate AI strategy, progress, outcomes, and lessons learned in a clear and compelli