Takeda

Director, External Scientific Engagement

Takeda

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Office

Location: Fujisawa • 🇯🇵 Japan

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Job Level

Lead

About the role

  • Define and lead the long-term strategy for external scientific engagement in Japan, ensuring alignment with Takeda’s global R&D vision and business objectives under supervision of Head of External Scientific Engagement.
  • Represent Takeda at the highest levels in industry associations, government advisory panels, and academic forums.
  • Drive policy initiatives that support innovation, regulatory science, and public-private partnerships.
  • Identify, negotiate, and oversee complex, high-value collaborations across R&D value chain with external stakeholders, including academic institutions, government agencies, and consortia.
  • Lead cross-functional teams and influence internal stakeholders especially in R&D Japan Region and JPBU to integrate external insights into R&D strategy and decision-making.
  • Enhance Takeda’s visibility and reputation as a scientific leader through strategic event participation, thought leadership, and public engagement.
  • Monitor and interpret scientific, regulatory, and policy trends to proactively shape Takeda’s external engagement strategy and provide actionable insights to senior leadership.

Requirements

  • Advanced degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in life sciences, medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related field.
  • 12+ years of experience in pharmaceutical R&D, scientific affairs, external engagement, or related leadership roles.
  • Proven track record of leading strategic partnerships and influencing science policy at a national or international level.
  • Deep understanding of Japan’s healthcare, regulatory, and innovation ecosystem, with strong networks across government, academia, and industry.
  • Demonstrated experience in high-level stakeholder engagement, including with JPMA, MHLW, AMED, and PMDA.
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, and negotiation skills in both Japanese and English.
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to translate complex external dynamics into internal opportunities.
  • Experience managing teams and budgets is a plus.
  • High integrity, cultural sensitivity, and a collaborative mindset.
Benefits
  • Allowances: Commutation, Housing, Overtime Work etc.
  • Salary Increase: Annually
  • Bonus Payment: Twice a year
  • Working Hours: Headquarters (Osaka/ Tokyo) 9:00-17:30, Production Sites (Osaka/ Yamaguchi) 8:00-16:45, (Narita) 8:30-17:15, Research Site (Kanagawa) 9:00-17:45
  • Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, National Holidays, May Day, Year-End Holidays etc. (approx. 123 days in a year)
  • Paid Leaves: Annual Paid Leave, Special Paid Leave, Sick Leave, Family Support Leave, Maternity Leave, Childcare Leave, Family Nursing Leave.
  • Flexible Work Styles: Flextime, Telework
  • Benefits: Social Insurance, Retirement and Corporate Pension, Employee Stock Ownership Program, etc.

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard skills
PhDMDlife sciencespharmaceutical sciencesscientific affairsstrategic partnershipsstakeholder engagementregulatory sciencepolicy initiativesbudget management
Soft skills
leadershipcommunicationnegotiationstrategic thinkingcollaborative mindsetcultural sensitivityinfluencingteam managementvisibility enhancementpublic engagement