Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry

Senior Director, Medicinal Chemistry at Takeda

Base pay range: $/yr - $/yr

Job Description

We are seeking a seasoned and visionary Senior Director of Medicinal Chemistry to join our leadership team. This individual will play a pivotal role in shaping the future direction of our company by providing strategic guidance and oversight to our medicinal chemistry efforts. The ideal candidate will be instrumental in driving our drug discovery initiatives forward, ensuring their successful progression and alignment with our company's overall goals and objectives.

By leveraging their expertise, they will significantly influence our strategic decisions and contribute to the advancement of our scientific and commercial endeavors. Additionally, this person will oversee external programs at CROs, managing the design, execution, and progression of medicinal chemistry projects conducted exclusively at these organizations.

Accountabilities

• Create business development opportunities that meet the strategic scientific, therapeutic, and commercial needs of the organization or specific Therapeutic Area (TA).

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight to the medicinal chemistry department, aligning with the company's overall goals and objectives.

• Oversee the design, execution, and management of medicinal chemistry projects conducted exclusively at CROs, ensuring timely progress and high-quality outcomes.

• Mentor and develop a team of internal chemists, fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment.

• Work closely with cross‑functional teams, including biology, pharmacology, and clinical development, to advance drug candidates from discovery through development.

• Drive innovation in medicinal chemistry through the integration of new technologies, methodologies, and best practices.

• Ensure all activities comply with relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards.

• Build and maintain relationships with external partners, including academic institutions, industry collaborators, and contract research organizations.

Education & Competencies (Technical and Behavioral)

• PhD degree in Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry or related discipline with 15+ years experience in small molecule projects.

• Proven track record of leading successful drug discovery programs, preferably in large pharma.

• Strong leadership and managerial skills with experience leading and developing high‑performing teams.

• Deep understanding of medicinal chemistry principles, drug design, and optimization processes.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to a broad audience.

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with a proactive and innovative approach to challenges.

• Proven ability to work collaboratively in a cross‑functional team environment.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a fast‑paced and dynamic environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a leadership role within a large pharmaceutical or biotechnology company.

• Proven track record of leading fully outsourced projects.

• Strong publication record in medicinal chemistry or related fields.

• Experience with patent filings and intellectual property management.

• Established network within the scientific and pharmaceutical community.

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.

U.S. Base Salary Range: $ - $. The actual base salary offered will depend on qualifications, experience, unique skills, education, certifications, licenses, location, and will comply with local minimum wage requirements.

U.S. employees may be eligible for short‑term and/or long‑term incentives, medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company match, short‑term and long‑term disability coverage, basic life insurance, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer time, company holidays, well‑being benefits, up to 80 hours of sick time, and up to 120 hours of paid vacation (new hires).

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