Head of GSQ Business Development

Company: Takeda
Location: Lexington
Posted on: April 2, 2026

Job Description:

By clicking the “Apply” button, I understand that my employment application process with Takeda will commence and that the information I provide in my application will be processed in line with Takeda’s Privacy Notice and Terms of Use . I further attest that all information I submit in my employment application is true to the best of my knowledge. Job Description About the role: TheHead of GSQ Business Development is the senior Enterprise Audit and Risk Management leader responsible forend-to-end GSQ leadership of business development diligence and execution readinessacross a portfolio weighted towardin-licensing/M&A internalizations, out-licensing and divestments. This role ensures the “voice of GSQ”—spanningmanufacturing, supply chain, CMC, and quality—is consistently incorporated into opportunity assessment, governance decisions, and operationalization planning. This leaderdoes not serve as the primary deal negotiator. Instead, the Head of Business Development & Licensing works closely to Global Business Development and providesGSQ deal leadershipby mobilizing cross-functional SMEs rapidly, driving rigorous risk identification and mitigation strategies, ensuring completeness/quality of GSQ deliverables, aligning GSQ positions into governance materials, and enabling smooth transition from diligence to execution teams. Role design is grounded in existing Takeda BD/DD and divestiture operating expectations across GSQ. Primary Objectives: Lead GSQ due diligence and execution readinessfor BD opportunities, with emphasis oninternalizations (in-licensing / acquisitions)and emphasis onout-licensing and divestments, ensuring patient, compliance, and supply continuity outcomes. Ensure GSQ risks, requirements, costs, and mitigationsare identified early, quantified where possible, and clearly reflected in governance materials and decisions (e.g., PRC/BSC). Own GSQ deal shaping, stage gates, and independent assurance for BD opportunities (internalizations, out-licensing, divestments), ensuring evidence-based risk decisions and audit-ready diligence outputs. Own GSQ licensing lifecycle governance for out-licensing/alliance supply obligations, including partner operating models, oversight cadence, and performance management. Drive post-sign stabilization and value delivery by governing GSQ execution outcomes against the diligence thesis, including value-capture tracking and enterprise risk monitoring. Own and continuously improve GSQ BD operating capabilities, including standardized deliverables, playbooks, training, and performance metrics, across the global GSQ network. Serve as the senior integrator across GSQ for BD-related activities, aligning stakeholders across sites/regions/functions to deliver consistent outcomes and decision quality. Enable seamless transition to executionby establishing strong handoffs, knowledge transfer, and post-sign governance mechanisms (e.g., TSA governance for divestments). How you will contribute: Deliver GSQ diligence and execution readiness leadership — across internalizations, out-licensing, divestments Own GSQ diligence execution and deliverables for internalizations (in-licensing/M&A), ensuring CMC, supply, manufacturing readiness, and quality & compliance requirements are assessed rigorously and consistently. Own GSQ deal shaping for BD opportunities before diligence launch: define GSQ “what must be true” assumptions (network strategy, CMC manufacturability, quality system posture, supply resilience) to guide BD strategy and prioritization. Internalizations (In-licensing/M&A) – GSQ Integration Readiness Lead ensures internal stakeholders are informed/consulted of site/network strategy implications, tech transfer / validation readiness, quality system bridging plan, supply launch readiness, and Day-1/Day-100 readiness artifacts. Own the GSQ framework for out-licensing operational obligations : supply commitments, release strategy, change-control interface, complaint handling touchpoints, quality oversight model, audit cadence, and performance monitoring. Lead GSQ diligence execution for divestments and out-licensing , including entanglement/separation considerations, supply continuity risks, and quality system impacts; ensure the GSQ position is clear, decision-useful, and actionable. Mobilize and coordinate cross-functional GSQ SMEs rapidly for deal execution, ensuring the right capabilities are engaged (including selective external expertise where needed). Ensure GSQ risk identification and mitigation planning is proactive, including identification of potential “deal breakers,” pragmatic mitigation options, and residual risk acceptance pathways. Drive cost/resource inputs from GSQ into the enterprise deal model (e.g., COGS estimates, quality and supply chain costs, one-time implementation costs, and resourcing), ensuring transparency and traceability. Process owner for GSQ Internalization Operating Model (IOM) and Externalization Operating Model (EOM) , including governance, templates, training, and KPI reporting. Establish and own GSQ stage gates (e.g., “GSQ Entry Criteria to DD,” “GSQ DD Exit Criteria,” “Execution Readiness Gate”) including required evidence, sign-offs, and escalation paths. Create and maintain a GSQ BD portfolio heatmap (complexity, compliance exposure, supply continuity risk, site/network impact) used in executive prioritization and capacity planning. *Out-of-scope, this role does not own commercial terms, price, or definitive agreement negotiation. This role provides an independent assessment, identifies potential risk, develops execution readiness and mitigation actions that together with Global BD negotiations, are presented to Takeda management for decision. Interfaces with Legal/BD for contract, MSA, TSA, Quality Agreement etc. to ensure alignment on language implications with Global negotiated terms. Governance, decision support, and stakeholder leadership Represent GSQ at governance forums (e.g., PRC/BSC as applicable), ensuring GSQ diligence findings are accurately reflected in governance documents and understood by decision makers. Maintain executive-level visibility of the GSQ BD portfolio , including status, escalation paths, and closure discipline (e.g., diligence closure, TSA exit tracking for divestments) through periodic governance meetings. Partner closely with enterprise BD organizations (e.g., Global Business Development and/or Center for External Innovation) and relevant corporate functions (Finance/Legal/HR/Regulatory/Pharmscience) to ensure GSQ diligence output is decision-relevant and operationally implementable. Ensures residual significant identified risk are mapped/approved as part of the risk acceptance process, and informed/tracked through Enterprise Risk Management Governance process (patient/compliance/supply continuity/reputation). Ensures risk statements, residual risk rationale, compensating controls, monitoring plan, and ERM traceability. Define GSQ licensing lifecycle governance from pre-sign assumptions ? post-sign operating model ? renewal/termination readiness (including continuity-of-supply and quality oversight continuity). Operating models, process ownership, and continuous improvement (GSQ-wide) Own/oversee GSQ Internalization Operating Model (IOM) and Externalization Operating Model (EOM) alignment, ensuring practical and development of digital tools to drive governance, accountability across GSQ and interfaces with partner organizations. Own a GSQ BD digital toolkit (evidence repository, risk register automation, dashboards, TSA tracking, standardized data requests). Drive portfolio analytics and benchmarking across deals to improve cycle time, decision quality, and post-sign outcomes. Ensures the establishment and continuously improvement of standardized GSQ BD deliverables (e.g., due diligence reports, entanglement maps, separation plans, templates/playbooks) and ensure adoption across GSQ. Build a GSQ BD capability program and talent development (training, community of practice, lessons learned, and competency development) to develop a scalable network of diligence leaders and SMEs across the organization. Drive performance management for GSQ BD operations through KPIs/metrics (cycle time, deliverable quality, risk closure, post-sign readiness, lessons learned etc), and embed continuous improvement into GSQ BD and Licensing ways of working. Transition to execution / operationalization Ensure strong handoffs to execution leads: transfer plans are developed and ensure complete knowledge transfer from diligence into implementation, enabling seamless transition to operations. Ensure execution discipline and governance , including MSA, TSA, Quality Agreements, governance/closure tracking and alignment across GSQ functions to deliver internalizations and separation outcomes without compromising patient supply or compliance. Leadership/people scope: Leads a small core team (e.g., Directors/Senior Directors) plus a matrixed GSQ diligence network (SMEs across CMC, manufacturing, supply chain, quality, regulatory, engineering). Drives outcomes through formal informal leadership across GSQ and enterprise stakeholders. Minimum Requirements/Qualifications: Minimum requirements Bachelor’s degree in science/engineering (advanced degree preferred: MS/PhD and/or MBA). 15 years experience in biopharmaceutical operations and/or quality, with substantial exposure to business development due diligence (internalizations, licensing, divestments) in a global environment. Demonstrated success leading complex, cross-functional, global programs with senior stakeholder influence (portfolio-level leadership). Fluent English required; additional languages helpful. Preferred Qualifications Direct experience implementing internalization/externalization operating models and/or post-deal operational transitions. Experience establishing playbooks, templates, training, and KPI systems for BD/DD operations. Travel Domestic and international travel as needed Performance Measures: Decision quality & timeliness: GSQ diligence deliverables on time; governance-ready; minimal rework. Risk outcomes: early identification of critical GSQ risks; mitigation plans agreed pre-sign; reduced post-sign surprises. Execution readiness: smooth transition to execution leads; internalization/externalization operating models applied effectively. Capability building: adoption of common standards, templates, and training; measurable improvement in cycle time and consistency across GSQ. Leadership Behaviors Strategic enterprise thinking, finding innovative ways to serve patients build reputation and trust Creating the environment that helps inspire and enable people in the function Focusing on the few priorities and provide superior results, thus advancing the GSQ Roadmap Elevating capabilities for now and the future 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. 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. Takeda 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. For Location: Lexington, MA U.S. Base Salary Range: $255,800.00 - $401,940.00 The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job. The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location. U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/ or long-term incentives. U.S. based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S. based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation. 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 Lexington, MAZurich, Switzerland Worker Type Employee Worker Sub-Type Regular Time Type Full time Job Exempt Yes It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Keywords: Takeda, Waltham , Head of GSQ Business Development, IT / Software / Systems , Lexington, Massachusetts