Head of Transactions and Contracting Legal

Company: Takeda
Location: Boston
Posted on: January 26, 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: The Head of Transactions and Contracting Legal is a key member of the legal leadership team, acting as a strategic advisor to senior management, including the Head of Business Development, Chief Procurement Officer, and the Global General Counsel. This position leads high-impact legal support for transformative business initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions (M&A), in-licensing and out-licensing, collaborations, and strategic alliances. This position will oversee the transformation and simplification of contracting and is pivotal in driving the legal aspects of transactions and ensuring alignment with business objectives. How you will contribute: • Strategic Transactions: Oversee the drafting, negotiation, and execution of complex agreements, including collaboration, licensing, and asset/share purchase agreements. • Legal Counsel: Advise the Business Development team and executive management on deal strategy and execution. • Due Diligence: Coordinate legal due diligence for potential transactions, collaborating with cross-functional teams. • Contract Management & Oversight: Manage and transform the contracting function (excluding contract operations),maintain contract templates to standardize workflows globally and mitigate risk. • Risk Management & Compliance: Identify legal risks in contractual arrangements and M&A activities, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. • Leadership & Team Management: Build and manage a high-performing legal team as well as oversee external counsel. • Cross-functional Collaboration: Partner with legal colleagues and business units to ensure seamless implementation of contractual commitments. Preferred Qualifications: • Juris Doctor (JD) degree and active license to practice law within the relevant region. • Extensive in-house experience in high-stakes negotiations, transactions, and contracts, with Professional training in pharmaceutical law from a highly regarded law firm. • 15 years of relevant post-qualification legal experience, particularly in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry. • Demonstrated progression of responsibility in in-house pharmaceutical or biotech legal roles. • Significant experience managing attorneys and legal professionals at all seniority levels. • Fluency in spoken and written English at a business level. • Comfortable managing complexity and ambiguity in a dynamic environment. • Strong team player with a proven ability to build effective working relationships globally and cross-functionally. • Business-oriented mindset with a solid understanding of business strategies and financial matters. • Ability to set and drive strategic priorities for the legal team in alignment with business goals and risk management. • Exceptional communication, presentation, interpersonal, and relationship building skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders. 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: $304,000.00 - $418,000.00 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.

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