Director, AIRx External Partnership Management Lead

Takeda is a global biopharmaceutical leader committed to advancing transformative medicines to improve the health and well-being of patients worldwide. With a rich history rooted in research and innovation, Takeda has established itself as a trusted name in the healthcare industry, focusing on delivering differentiated medicines through cutting-edge science and collaboration. Operating at the intersection of life sciences and technology, Takeda fosters a dynamic environment that values creativity, integrity, and patient-centric approaches. The company offers a comprehensive benefits package and a culture that supports employee growth and well-being, underscoring its dedication to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Takeda Research is currently undertaking a groundbreaking initiative known as the Lab of Tomorrow, which leverages artificial intelligence (AI), automation, novel working methods, and specialized talent to accelerate the discovery and delivery of novel therapeutics. Within this framework, two complementary units—AI Research Accelerator (AIRx) and Discovery Automation & Robotics (DAR)—play pivotal roles. AIRx is designed as an autonomous, biotech-like entity backed by the scale and resources of a leading pharmaceutical company. This setup empowers AIRx to pioneer AI-driven models that enhance drug discovery success rates and expedite candidate progression to clinical trials.

The role of Director, AIRx CRO & External Partnerships is a strategic leadership position based in Cambridge, MA, classified as a hybrid work arrangement. This full-time, exempt role is critical to managing all Contract Research Organization (CRO) relationships for AIRx, ensuring these external partners operate as seamless extensions of the internal team. This is not merely a vendor management or contracting position; it demands active oversight, clear communication, rigorous performance management, and accountability for quality and milestone delivery. The Director steers daily coordination with CRO teams, frequently visits key domestic and international CROs to cement strong partnerships and resolve issues in real-time, and works closely with AIRx scientific leads to maintain tight integration.

The Director oversees the entire external execution lifecycle—from identifying and evaluating CRO partners with expertise spanning chemistry, biology, and drug metabolism/pharmacokinetics (DMPK), to managing contracts, statements of work (SOWs), budgets, and quality standards. This individual also ensures that CRO outputs are timely and compatible with AI/ML pipelines by coordinating standardized data handoffs into AIRx data systems like TetraScience and SAIL. By maintaining a preferred supplier network capable of supporting AIRx's speed and quality expectations and monitoring evolving CRO and innovation landscapes, the Director plays a crucial role in sustaining AIRx's competitive edge.

With a salary range of $177,000 to $278,080, this position offers the opportunity to work at the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation, supporting AI/ML-enabled drug discovery programs. The ideal candidate should possess extensive experience in pharmaceutical outsourcing or CRO management, an established network of CRO relationships, strong contract negotiation skills, operational acumen, and a proven ability to manage complex multi-partner collaborations effectively. Willingness to travel domestically and internationally is essential to foster close collaborations with critical partners. Joining Takeda means contributing to a mission-driven environment dedicated to advancing healthcare while benefiting from robust compensation and comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and more.