Head of AI

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: The Head of AI & Data is responsible for leading a Takeda-wide, global AI & Data function to transform how the company operates and competes, ensuring AI & data are harnessed to create business value and strategic advantage. This position manages and leads a function that is a strategic business enabler, building on Takeda’s strong digital and data foundation to drive innovation, efficiency, and growth through AI at scale while maintaining trust, ethics, and compliance. This role must bring visionary leadership and strategic thinking, strong business acumen and partnership skills, deep fluency across emerging AI technologies, including generative AI and agentic AI, and the capacity to drive organizational change and adoption at scale. How you will contribute: Lead and drive Takeda’s enterprise-wide AI-Forward ambition end-to-end, ensuring the organization fully leverages data and AI to deliver innovation, operational excellence, and competitive advantage Partner closely with business leaders to develop and implement an enterprise AI strategy and transformation, defining areas to pursue and overseeing progress and impact delivery for AI across Takeda  Ensure all AI solutions are built and run on the approved set of tools, models, and compliance guardrails, eliminating silos and maximizing impact across the enterprise  Guide data management and governance, setting standards for data quality, security, and accessibility. Oversee data acquisition, storage, processing, and availability. Ensure data is managed effectively across its lifecycle and is AI-ready. Establish robust AI governance frameworks and champion the ethical and responsible use of AI (including generative and agentic AI) in partnership with Takeda’s Ethics & Compliance organization to manage risks (e.g., bias, privacy) while accelerating AI-driven opportunities Be an attractor and developer of AI & data talent, cultivating a followership of technical, strategic, and business-oriented professionals who embrace change and embed AI- and data-driven technologies across Takeda.  Set the overall AI & data strategy for Takeda in alignment with business priorities and the overarching Data, Digital & Technology (DD&T) strategy. Engage with stakeholders to identify and prioritize high-impact AI opportunities, ensure initiatives align with business needs, and drive impact and value delivery from AI initiatives.  Facilitate Takeda’s AI & data transformation by partnering with DD&T leads in each Business Unit and Business Function to eliminate roadblocks and ensure progress. Lead the AI-Forward Control Tower to govern intake of use cases and demand management, build/buy framework (e.g., partner selection, use of ICCs resourcing), technology selection, and overall transformation and value delivery. Represent the AI-Forward Transformation effort at the highest levels of the company, engaging with the Takeda Executive Team to communicate strategy, progress, risks, and opportunities related to AI & data, as well as influencing decision-making and investments in these areas. Lead cross-functional councils/committees focused on AI & data (as needed) to coordinate and prioritize initiatives across business units/functions, ensure alignment with enterprise standards, and monitor the overall AI transformation roadmap and outcomes to ensure value delivery  Form and manage external relationships to strengthen AI & data outcomes, from engaging with strategic, technology, and data vendors to serving as a subject matter expert in AI, data analytics, and digital innovation in executive leadership forums internally and a visible thought leader externally, enhancing Takeda’s reputation as a pioneer in the ethical and impactful use of AI in the industry. Set standards and best practices for Analytics as a Service, Advanced AI, etc. Stay ahead of emerging AI trends and technologies, including advancements like generative AI and agentic AI, by continuously scanning the external landscape and proactively evaluating new tools/techniques – integrating transformative innovations responsibly and at scale to maintain a competitive edge.  Set standards and best practices for the full-stack development, deployment, and scaling of AI solutions. Oversee AI engineering talent (product owners, AI orchestration engineers, full-stack AI engineers, business SMEs), coordinating upskilling for existing talent as needed.  Unify fragmented AI & data capabilities across the organization by establishing a single governance and leadership structure, ensuring an integrated approach to AI strategy and execution across all functions with defined roles and responsibilities (governing body, AI & data stewardship, AI & data custodians). Partner with Ethics & Compliance to enable responsible and ethical use of AI & data and ensure compliance with global data and AI regulations and standards (e.g. data privacy laws, GxP in pharma, and emerging AI legislation such as the EU AI Act) in all AI & data activities. Serve as a key member in driving the Global Data Council and other DD&T governance bodies.  Develop and implement enterprise-wide data governance, quality, and control policies and practices such as data purchasing, data ingestion, data integration, data security, data warehousing, data analytics, metadata management, and data quality and ensure data governance processes in the BU/BFs are aligned with enterprise practices. Ensure there is a performance reporting structure to manage compliance with policies, measure overall data governance effectiveness, and measure consumption and input into master data management.  Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree  20+ years of driving large-scale business transformations by reimagining processes using data, analytics, or digital technology functions  15+ years of people leadership experience  Expertise in emerging AI & data technologies with a hands-on approach to experimenting, applying, and championing their use to drive innovation, productivity, and organizational transformation  Strong business acumen to translating business strategy into data and AI opportunities and to drive data-driven and AI-enabled transformation with agility  Familiarity with driving effective collaboration across a business for large-scale data and AI implementations, ensuring adoption and impact  Extensive experience delivering large, complex initiatives in advanced analytics and AI (e.g. machine learning, GenAI, agentic AI), with a track record of delivering P&L impact  Deep knowledge of data management practices, data quality principles, and data governance frameworks  Knowledge of global and emerging regulatory requirements and technologies relevant to data & AI (such as GxP, GDPR, data privacy laws, and AI governance frameworks)  Proven analytical, strategic thinking, communication, collaboration, leadership, and management skills  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: Boston, MA U.S. Base Salary Range: $345,600.00 - $475,200.00 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 Boston, MA 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.