Head, China External Innovation

Head of China External Innovation 

About the Role 

Takeda is seeking a strategic and externally oriented leader to drive external innovation activities in China and help translate emerging opportunities into portfolio and enterprise value. This role will identify, assess, and advance external opportunities across assets, platforms, and technologies aligned with Takeda’s therapeutic area and capability priorities. 

This role sits within Strategy and Portfolio Development (SPD) and reports to the Head of External Portfolio Innovation. As part of SPD, the Head of China External Innovation will help shape Takeda’s external innovation strategy in China by proactively scouting opportunities, generating actionable market and portfolio insight, leading or supporting evaluation and diligence activities, and partnering closely with stakeholders across Research, Development, Commercial, Global Business Development, and regional and global leadership teams. 

This is a highly visible role for a leader who combines strong scientific and business judgment, deep knowledge of the China biopharma ecosystem, excellent external presence, and the ability to influence internal prioritization in a highly matrixed global environment. The role serves as a strategic partner to global transaction leads and is responsible for recommending opportunities and influencing prioritization of China-originated external innovation opportunities. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Lead Takeda’s external innovation activities in China, aligned with enterprise strategy and portfolio priorities. 

• Build and maintain a strong network across the China biopharma, academic, investor, and innovation ecosystem to enhance Takeda’s access to high-value opportunities and strengthen Takeda’s position as a partner of choice. 

• Proactively scout, identify, and evaluate external opportunities across assets, platforms, and technologies relevant to Takeda’s therapeutic area and capability priorities. 

• Generate and synthesize scientific, clinical, commercial, and ecosystem insights to inform strategic planning and portfolio decision-making. 

• Lead or support search and evaluation activities, including opportunity landscaping, competitive intelligence, technical assessment, and strategic fit analysis. 

• Recommend partnership, licensing, collaboration, investment, and other external innovation opportunities supported by clear scientific and strategic rationale. 

• Recommend opportunities and influence prioritization of China-originated external innovation opportunities. 

• Partner closely with global transaction leads by providing China market insight, scientific perspective, ecosystem connectivity, and support during opportunity assessment, diligence, and transaction shaping. 

• Represent Takeda at scientific, business, and partnering forums in China and internationally, acting as an ambassador for Takeda’s strategic interests and external innovation priorities. 

What Success Looks Like 

In this role, success will include: 

• Building a high-quality pipeline of China-originated external opportunities aligned with Takeda’s strategic priorities 

• Generating clear and actionable insight to inform portfolio and external innovation strategy 

• Enabling rigorous, efficient evaluation and due diligence for prioritized opportunities 

• Influencing prioritization and governance decisions through strong recommendations and stakeholder engagement 

• Strengthening Takeda’s reputation and visibility in the China innovation ecosystem 

• Advancing external opportunities in close partnership with global transaction leads and cross-functional stakeholders 

Required Qualifications 

• Advanced degree required, such as PhD, MD, or equivalent advanced scientific, medical, or business qualification 

• Minimum of 15 years of relevant industry experience, including leadership roles spanning China and global or regional responsibilities 

• Significant experience in biotech, biopharma, venture capital, business development, consulting, or related life sciences environments 

• Strong understanding of drug discovery, development, and external innovation, with the ability to assess assets, platforms, and technologies 

• Demonstrated experience in search and evaluation, external innovation, business development support, due diligence, or related strategic activities 

• Deep knowledge of the China biopharma ecosystem and a strong external network across relevant stakeholders 

• Proven ability to lead complex, cross-functional initiatives and influence senior stakeholders in a matrixed organization 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex assessments into clear recommendations for leadership 

• Fluency in English and Mandarin; Mandarin speaking capability is required 

Preferred Qualifications 

• MBA or other additional business qualification 

• Experience supporting governance discussions and portfolio prioritization for external opportunities 

• Experience assessing clinical-stage and/or platform-based opportunities across multiple therapeutic or technology areas 

• Experience working across China, regional, and global organizations in a highly collaborative environment 

• Demonstrated success representing an organization externally in partnering, scientific, or investor settings 

Leadership Capabilities 

• Strategic thinker with strong scientific, business, and ecosystem judgment 

• Able to identify high-potential opportunities and translate complex external signals into actionable recommendations 

• Effective collaborator across scientific, business, and regional/global stakeholder groups 

• Skilled at influencing without authority in highly matrixed environments 

• Strong executive presence and credibility internally and externally 

• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, competing priorities, and evolving strategic needs 

• Demonstrates initiative, sound judgment, resilience, and high ethical standards 

Location and Travel 

This role is based in China. Travel is expected domestically and internationally based on business needs.