Lead, R&D Leadership Communications & Employee Engagement

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Job Description

The Lead, R&D Leadership Communications & Employee Engagement, Director level, will serve as a strategic partner to the President of R&D and the R&D Management Committee, driving communications and engagement programs that connect employees, amplify leadership voices, and align R&D priorities with enterprise goals. This person will craft compelling, story-driven communications and lead high-impact initiatives of strategic importance to R&D. They will also manage executive thought leadership platforms, oversee internal channels, and champion innovation through emerging technologies like AI and automation – all while fostering a culture of inclusion, empowerment, and continuous improvement. 

Technical/Functional (Line) Expertise 

• Comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical industry 

• Demonstrated ability to work across functions, regions and cultures 

• Enterprise level leadership with the ability to inspire, motivate and drive results 

• Ability to present complex information clearly and with confidence 

• Excellent communicator, able to persuasively convey both ideas and data, verbally and in writing 

• Proven skills as an effective team player who can engender trust, credibility and confidence within and outside the company 

• Ability to distil complex issues and ideas down to simple comprehensible terms 

• Embraces and demonstrates a diversity and inclusion mindset and role models these behaviors for the organization 

Decision-making and Autonomy 

• Broad decision-making responsibilities: 

• Ability to make highly complex decisions that impact the enterprise. 

• Ability to seek diverse input from multiple constituents and stakeholders to drive innovative solutions. 

• Ability to incorporate feedback and ensure decisions are made swiftly to yield flawless execution. 

• Accountable for designing and implementing vision and strategy for designated scope. 

Interaction 

• Foster solutions-oriented thinking by fostering a culture of performance, accountability, simplicity, empowerment, external orientation and curiosity. 

• Effectively navigates the changing external and internal environment and leads others through change by creating and inspiring and engaging workplace. 

• Effectively negotiates and collaborates with business partners and demonstrates the ability to resolve conflict in a constructive manner. 

• Ability to build strong partnerships and drive role clarity with other interfacing Takeda functions, including but not limited to R&D, DD&T, Finance, IT, Procurement, HR, Legal/Compliance, Global Corporate Affairs, Public Affairs, external vendors, and others. 

Innovation 

• Visionary and forward thinking with the ability to influence and effectively drive organizational change and continuous innovation. Comfortable challenging the status quo and bringing forward innovative solutions. 

• Ability to take risks implementing innovative solutions, accelerating time to market. 

• Ability to identify areas for process and systems innovation and implement change that will enhance the overall effectiveness of the team. Digital-minded leader continually seeking ways to incorporate AI and new technologies into daily work. 

Complexity 

• Ability to work in a global and highly matrixed ecosystem (internal and external) with a high degree of complexity. 

EDUCATION, BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS: 

• Bachelor's degree – BS/BA Majors in Journalism, Communications or public policy/public affairs preferred. 

• A minimum of 12+ years with demonstrated increased level of responsibility of professional experience required. 

• Executive commun