T

Head, Environmental Sustainability Operations and Performance

Takeda United States Added on Jul 30, 2026
Apply →

This senior leadership role oversees the operational engine of the Planet Imperative, Takeda’s ambitious environmental transformation program. You will own the governance structures, data analytics, and strategic planning processes that translate high-level climate commitments into measurable results across the global enterprise. Your work ensures that net-zero roadmaps are not just aspirations but operational realities backed by robust budgeting and performance tracking.

In the complex world of pharmaceutical manufacturing, environmental impact is deeply tied to supply chains and energy-intensive laboratories. By leading this function, you directly influence how one of the world’s largest healthcare companies decouples its life-saving mission from its carbon footprint. It is a rare opportunity to bridge the gap between strategic ESG vision and the rigorous operational discipline required to achieve planetary goals in a highly regulated industry.

This suits someone who possesses a masterly grasp of sustainability data systems and the political acumen to align diverse global stakeholders. You should be a structured thinker who finds professional satisfaction in building clarity out of corporate complexity.

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The Head of Environmental Sustainability Operations and Performance is responsible for the strategic engine of the company's 'Planet Imperative'. This involves creating a comprehensive governance structure that enables the enterprise to move toward its environmental objectives in a unified manner. You will lead the long-range planning and annual initiative cycles to ensure alignment across manufacturing, R&D, and corporate functions. A significant portion of the role focuses on data integrity and systems. You will lead the analytics team to ensure that KPIs are robust, automated, and capable of driving executive-level business decisions. Additionally, managing the global budget for environmental programs and overseeing the maturity model for various sustainability initiatives fall under your core remit.

Key learning opportunities for this job

In this position, you will gain deep expertise in large-scale sustainability transformation within the pharmaceutical sector. You will be at the forefront of implementing net-zero roadmaps in a complex manufacturing environment, gaining insights into the intersection of healthcare logistics and decarbonization. Exposure to enterprise-grade data systems and digital transformation (DD&T) will sharpen your technical literacy in ESG reporting and forecasting. Furthermore, the role provides a platform for high-level leadership development through frequent interactions with executive sponsors and global functional heads.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings over 10 years of experience in corporate sustainability or consultancy, with at least 5 years specifically in program management. A background in a complex, regulated industry like biotechnology or pharmaceutical manufacturing is highly preferred to navigate the technical and compliance landscape effectively. Technically, you should be an expert in sustainability data measurement and analytics tools. Beyond the numbers, Takeda values 'soft' leadership skills—the ability to influence diverse teams without direct authority and the capacity to translate complex environmental data into a compelling business value story for senior management.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

To stand out, move beyond listing your sustainability credentials and demonstrate your operational rigor. Takeda is looking for a 'builder' of systems, so provide specific examples of where you have implemented governance frameworks or data analytics platforms that led to measurable carbon reductions or efficiency gains. Highlight your experience in cross-functional alignment. In a company of 37,000 people, the ability to coordinate between Finance, Supply Chain, and R&D is critical. Tailoring your application to show you understand the specific tensions of pharmaceutical manufacturing—such as maintaining product quality while reducing energy intensity—will position you as a specialist rather than a generalist.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

The role primary focus is Takeda's Planet Imperative, which centers on achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the entire value chain. This includes addressing Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions through strategic planning and stakeholder engagement. You will also focus on governance and transparency. This involves ensuring that environmental standards and SOPs are integrated into the company's daily operations, moving sustainability from a 'side project' to a core business metric that is reported to stakeholders with the same rigor as financial data.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges will be driving consistency across a vast, decentralized organization. Aligning the environmental goals of diverse departments like R&D and Global Manufacturing requires constant negotiation and a high tolerance for organizational complexity. Another challenge lies in data granularity. Moving from high-level estimates to automated, actionable forecasting in a global supply chain is technically demanding. You will likely face the common 'ambiguity' of evolving global reporting standards and must maintain a steady course for the internal team during these shifts.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day involves a mix of high-level strategic oversight and technical problem-solving. You might start your morning facilitating a workshop with regional environmental leads to resolve resource conflicts, followed by a mid-day session with the Digital Data & Tech team to review the architecture of a new ESG tracking dashboard. Afternoons are often dedicated to executive communication, such as preparing presentations for the Global Head of Environment or reviewing budget allocations for the next fiscal year. You will also spend significant time coaching your direct reports, ensuring the team stays aligned with the maturity model of the various sustainability programs.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

As a 'Head of' role in a major multinational, this position is a gateway to executive leadership in the sustainability space. Success here proves your ability to lead global change management in a Fortune 500 environment. Opportunities for growth include moving into more senior Global Sustainability leadership roles or transitioning into operational leadership within supply chain or manufacturing, where sustainability expertise is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for Chief Operating Officer-track candidates.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact with a wide array of internal functional leaders, including those in Global Finance, Global Manufacturing & Supply, and Corporate Affairs. These relationships are critical for ensuring that sustainability targets are backed by the necessary capital and operational buy-in. Externally, you will represent Takeda in industry benchmarking forums and sustainability coalitions. You will also work closely with third-party consultants and technology partners who provide the tools and data necessary for tracking the company's environmental performance globally.

CSR Jobs newsletter

Never miss the next opportunity

Get a curated selection of new CSR, ESG, and sustainability roles in your inbox. No daily noise, just useful opportunities.

Free to join. Unsubscribe anytime.