Associate Director, Project Management (Biologics)

Company: Takeda
Location: Boston
Posted on: November 20, 2023

Job Description:

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Job Description

About the role:

At Takeda, we are a forward-looking, world-class R&D organization that unlocks innovation and delivers transformative therapies to patients. By focusing R&D efforts on four therapeutic areas and other targeted investments, we push the boundaries of what is possible in order to bring life-changing therapies to patients worldwide.

Join Takeda as an Associate Direct, Project Management where you will leverage background expertise in biologics development, including antibodies, conjugates, fusions, delivery technologies, etc. to provide expert planning and risk identification insights into inform early program planning and strategy for discovery stage programs as they move toward early clinical development. You will also be a proactive voice and the "single source of truth" for monitoring and reporting of project issues, plans, budgets, milestones, and resources. As part of the Project Management and Business Operations team, you will report to the Head of the team and provide expert project management and matrixed leadership to global, cross-functional, and cross-division research teams to deliver novel drug candidates from ideation through Candidate Selection for the GI Drug Discovery Unit (GI DDU).

How you will contribute:

• Collaborate with research teams to enable/support planning and logistics, establish/manage contracts, CRO management, data delivery, and final disposition.
• Manage contracting and procurement process to enable rapid contract drafting/review/initiation/resolution.
• Resolve and troubleshoot internal/external accounting and payment issues associated with contracted work.
• Support project teams to enable achievement of project objectives and maintain focus on critical path activities with project leaders for projects assigned to this role.
• Set project planning disciplines and deliver all planning work products required to manage GI DDU projects assigned to this role.
• Support/manage cross-functional meetings, including scheduling logistics, the creation and distribution of meeting agendas and minutes, and drive completion of action items.
• Ensure good meeting disciplines are continuously maintained (with supporting documentation) so that there is a clear logical record of events for each project or partnership.
• Support and maintain project infrastructure - including library/repositories of data and actions, project Gantt charts, and budgets.
• Ensure data integrity to support accurate reporting and communications.
• Track progress against project plans and ensures project teams/stakeholders have the tools necessary to deliver assays/contracts/decisions etc.
• Implement, support and maintain operations infrastructure - including library/repositories of contracts and procurement documentation, reporting and curating financial data, etc.
• Support project reporting via DDU, Research, and Enterprise-wide reporting functions including Interact, ImPact, PowerBI, etc.
• Manage stakeholder communication in support of project execution.
• Coach and support Scientific Project Leaders to drive projects to stage gates and ensure KPIs are met. Highlight and resolve project risks and issues with project team.
• Ensure smooth cross-functional liaisons with critical functions for project success (Legal, Finance, Sourcing, HR, and across all scientific functions as necessary).
• Be accountable for good budgetary disciplines and adherence to contractual commitments.
• Drive continuous improvement activities for all project management processes.
• Provide direction and mentorship to junior colleagues to further develop and elevate project management capabilities in Research.
• Provide expert support for program logistics, budget planning/tracking, procurement and contracting troubleshooting and issue resolution.
• Initiate and manage highly collaborative cross-functional relationships within Takeda and outside with Takeda partners and service providers in support of GI DDU projects.
• Collaborate with project leaders to refine and implement project plans and support project execution covering reporting, project planning, documentation workflow, budgeting, and risk management.
• Identify and drive innovative process improvements with significant organizational impact and manages, as needed, non-project responsibilities, which can include processes and system optimizations.
• Energetically engage with the entire DDU team to assure visibility of all DDU KPIs and make critical contributions to project operations to accelerate delivery and meet overall DDU performance goals.
• Drive financial planning and tracking for Research Platform teams to ensure alignment of spending with platform and DDU goals.
• Develop, drive, and mature processes supporting research planning, forecasting, and portfolio reporting to ensure alignment and visibility to portfolio progression in alignment with department and Research level goals.
• Support communications efforts via key department meetings and communication channels.
• Support business operations activities in collaboration with functional and operations teams.
  
  Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:
  
  
  • Sound scientific knowledge with Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Science or Management related discipline with
  • Minimum of 7+ years experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry with a preference for work in drug discovery.
  • Minimum of 5 years of program management experience leading multi-disciplinary teams.
  • Expertise in biologics drug discovery and/or early clinical development is a must.
  • Project Management Professional certification with PMI desired, but not required.
  • Focused on problem solving, troubleshooting, and issue resolution.
  • Demonstrated track record of taking initiative to resolve problems rapidly in large cross functional environments.
  • Structured thinker, strong organizational bias with the ability to implement structure without impacting efficiency of team.
  • Core planning skills with high level of discipline and thorough attention to detail.
  • Solid analytical thinking with preference for analysis to support decisions and a good process orientation---
  • Focus on results and ability to focus upon bigger picture/departmental objectives.
  • Self motivated and self directing to deliver the core responsibilities of the role and motivated to learn and expand skill-set beyond the scope of the role.
  • Solid financial knowledge of cost-based budgeting (internal and external costs) and ability to seek out savings/efficiencies.
  • Strong communication skills with excellent written and verbal proficiency to communicate information succinctly, in English (required).
  • Strong competence in using PowerPoint, project, and excel to above average proficiency.
  • Entrepreneurial: Demonstrates perseverance, identifies and actively pursues potential opportunities.
    
    What Takeda can offer you:
    
    
    • Comprehensive Healthcare: Medical, Dental, and Vision
    • Financial Planning & Stability: 401(k) with company match and Annual Retirement Contribution Plan
    • Health & Wellness programs including onsite flu shots and health screenings
    • Generous time off for vacation and the option to purchase additional vacation days
    • Community Outreach Programs and company match of charitable contributions
    • Family Planning Support
    • Flexible Ways of Working
    • Tuition reimbursement
      
      More about us:
      
      At Takeda, we are transforming patient care through the development of novel specialty pharmaceuticals and best in class patient support programs. Takeda is a patient-focused company that will inspire and empower you to grow through life-changing work.
      
      Certified as a Global Top Employer, Takeda offers stimulating careers, encourages innovation, and strives for excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our teams are united by an unwavering commitment to deliver Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.
      
      This position is currently classified as "hybrid" in accordance with Takeda's Hybrid and Remote Work policy.
      
      Base Salary Range: $143,500.00 to $205,000, based on candidate professional experience level. Employees may also be eligible for Short-term and Long-Term Incentive benefits as well. Employees are eligible to participate in Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401(k), Charitable Contribution Match, Holidays, Personal Days & Vacation, Tuition Reimbursement Program and Paid Volunteer Time Off. The final salary offered for this position may take into account a number of factors including, but not limited to, location, skills, education, and experience.
      
      In accordance with the CO Equal Pay Act, Colorado Applicants Are Not Permitted to Apply.
      
      #LI-SGM
      
      #LI-Hybrid
      
      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

Keywords: Takeda, Boston , Associate Director, Project Management (Biologics), Executive , Boston, Massachusetts