Head of Ethics and Compliance Europe

Takeda Pharma AG seeks an Executive-level Head of Ethics and Compliance Europe based in Zürich to lead regional strategy, governance, and cultural integrity initiatives across European markets.

This executive position provides strategic oversight of the Ethics and Compliance function for Takeda’s European operations. Acting as a key member of the European Markets Leadership Team, the role partners with senior business leaders to ensure responsible growth, patient-focused decision-making, and robust governance frameworks while managing a team of six direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with senior executives to provide strategic guidance on ethics, governance, risk management, and organizational culture.
• Create and implement the regional Ethics and Compliance strategy, ensuring alignment with global and International Business Unit priorities.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing regional team, focusing on capability building and succession planning.
• Embed compliance and ethical considerations into business planning, transformation projects, launch readiness, and daily operational decisions.
• Identify, assess, mitigate, monitor, and escalate ethics and compliance risks throughout the European region.
• Strengthen governance structures, internal controls, and risk-based programs to support agile and responsible business operations.
• Utilize data, insights, and external trends to enhance decision-making and proactively address emerging regulatory developments.
• Foster a culture of integrity, accountability, inclusion, and open communication across the region.
• Partner with Legal, HR, Finance, Medical, Internal Audit, Privacy, Communications, and other functions to solve complex challenges.
• Oversee monitoring, auditing, investigations, and corrective actions to ensure effective risk management and continuous improvement.
• Modernize and simplify compliance processes using data, technology, digital solutions, and AI-enabled approaches where appropriate.
• Represent European Markets in global and international Ethics and Compliance leadership forums, sharing regional insights and best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
• At least 10 years of leadership experience in Ethics and Compliance, Legal, Risk Management, or a related function within pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare, or another highly regulated industry.
• Proven experience leading regional or multinational compliance organizations within complex, matrixed environments.
• Deep expertise in healthcare compliance, governance, ethics, internal controls, and risk management.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical industry regulations, codes of practice, and compliance requirements across European Markets.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a trusted advisor to senior executives and leadership teams.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to balance risk management and business performance.
• Experience designing and leading compliance program elements, including risk assessment, policy implementation, monitoring, investigations, remediation, governance, and reporting.
• Success in leading and developing diverse, high-performing teams across multiple countries and cultures.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity, exercise sound judgment, and effectively lead through change.
• Strong commitment to ethical leadership, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Fluency in English is required.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree in Law, Business, Healthcare, Compliance, or a related field.
• Additional European languages and international experience are advantageous.

About the company

Takeda Pharma AG views Ethics and Compliance as a strategic enabler of sustainable business growth. The organization fosters a culture where ethical behavior, sound judgment, and compliance excellence support long-term business success.

• Ethics and Compliance are seen as strategic drivers for sustainable growth.
• The company promotes a culture built on ethical behavior, sound judgment, and compliance excellence to ensure long-term success.