Job Description
About the role
The Senior Director, Head of R&D Global Capability Centers (GCC) is a senior leadership role accountable for shaping, establishing, and scaling Takeda’s globally integrated, multi‑hub R&D delivery model. The role provides centralized leadership for R&D GCC strategy, operating model design, and execution, and serves as the primary R&D liaison to enterprise partners and R&D leadership during hub establishment and early maturity phases.
Operating with significant strategic scope and influence, this leader partners closely with R&D functions, Therapeutic Areas, and enterprise stakeholders to ensure the global hub in India is successfully established and integrated into Takeda R&D, delivering sustainable capabilities, talent pipelines, and long‑term value.
How you will contribute:
Takeda is seeking an experienced leader to own the R&D Global Capability Center (GCC) vision and coordinate GCC activities across the enterprise. This role is accountable for leading the establishment and scaling of R&D hub location in India, aligned to a multi‑hub, globally integrated R&D delivery model.
The Senior Director serves as the central, cross‑R&D point of coordination for GCC strategy, execution, and integration, and acts as a key R&D interface to the Enterprise Transformation Office and R&D leadership during hub stand‑up and early maturity phases.
This position reports to the Head of R&D Operational Excellence and requires strong matrix leadership, influencing without direct line authority across R&D functions, Therapeutic Areas, and enterprise teams.
Strategic context:
This role supports Takeda’s evolution toward a globally integrated, multi‑hub R&D model that:
- Support Cambridge, MA, Poland, and Bengaluru, India as interconnected R&D hubs
- Focus on sustainable capability and talent development
- Enables hybrid Global Program Team (GPT) execution across hubs
- Requires strong central coordination for governance, integration, and change management
Key responsibilities:
R&D & Enterprise Partnership
- Serve as the R&D GCC lead, accountable for strategy alignment, execution oversight, and continuous evolution
- Act as a primary R&D partner to the Enterprise Transformation Office and R&D leadership during GCC stand‑up and early growth phases
- Contribute GCC perspectives into R&D and enterprise governance discussions
GCC Strategy & Operating Model
- Define and maintain the multi‑year R&D GCC vision and roadmap
- Design, implement, and refine the multi‑hub GCC operating model
- Ensure alignment with R&D functional strategies, governance, and ways of working
Hub Establishment & Scale‑Up
- Lead R&D input and coordination for hub establishment activities
- Partner with enterprise teams on infrastructure planning, talent strategy, and change management
- Enable phased capability development and operational maturity across hubs
Cross‑Functional Coordination
- Coordinate activities across R&D functions and Therapeutic Areas
- Manage cross‑functional dependencies and integration risks
- Clarify roles, responsibilities, and decision rights within the GCC model
Talent, Capability & Culture
- Shape leadership and talent models in partnership with HR and R&D leaders
- Support development of sustainable, diverse talent pipelines across hubs
- Promote Takeda values and a unified, inclusive R&D culture
Minimum requirements / qualifications:
Required
- 12+ years of leadership experience within life sciences R&D
- Experience working across multiple R&D functions
- Demonstrated leadership in large‑scale transformation and change initiatives
- Experience working with Global Capability Centers or globally distributed delivery models
Preferred
- Direct experience establishing or scaling global delivery hubs or GCCs
- Exposure to hybrid or matrix operating models
- Experience with digital, data, or AI‑enabled R&D transformation
- Advanced degree in a scientific, technical, or business discipline
Additional information:
- Travel: Approximately 30%
- Work arrangement: Hybrid, in accordance with Takeda’s Hybrid and Remote Work policy
Locations
IND - Bengaluru
Worker Type
Employee
Worker Sub-Type
Regular
Time Type
Full time
