Lead Counsel, Data Protection

**Job description**

**Digital Ethics & Compliance (DE&C) is part of Takeda’s Ethics & Compliance (E&C) organization** and focuses on what the organization needs by ensuring ethical behavior plays a fundamental role in risk mitigation and that Takeda remains a forward-thinking leader in risk identification and mitigation. By working in an agile manner, E&C ensures the balance between stable structures (governance, processes, and systems) and dynamic approaches to delivering innovative solutions to appropriately manage our risks.

Within this framework, **Takeda’s DE&C department is seeking Lead Counsel, Data Protection & AI (Global, ex-U.S.)**to guide, advise, and support the organization, outside of the United States, on global data protection and artificial intelligence matters. The role will report to the Global DPO and AI Trust Head Counsel, serving as a trusted partner to internal stakeholders, ensuring that Takeda continues to operate ethically, responsibly, and in compliance with global data privacy requirements and emerging AI regulations.

**E&C COMMITS TO**
- ** Act as a role model** for Takeda’s values, ethics, and values-based decision-making, fostering this mindset in clients, partners, and teams.
- ** Enable the organization** to take decisions that are ethical and aligned with Takeda’s priorities of **Patient, Trust, Reputation, and Business**.
- ** Collaborate across all E&C teams** and partner with Global Data & Technology (GD&T) stakeholders to embed ethics and compliance as part of the way everyone works at Takeda.
- ** Maintain agility** in responding to a rapidly changing environment and business needs, encouraging ethical behavior consistent with Takeda’s values.

The **Lead Counsel, Data Protection & AI (Global, ex-U.S.)**will exemplify these commitments by driving and upholding high ethical standards and a values-based approach to data protection and AI initiatives across Takeda’s global operations (excluding the U.S.).

**DE&C TEAM ADDRESSES DIGITAL, DATA & COMPLIANCE RISKS BY**

**Providing a risk, ethics, and compliance (RE&C) framework, SOPs, and other tools** that enable GD&T (and other relevant teams) to incorporate Ethics and Privacy by Design into their Data and Technology programs and platforms. **Deploying global E&C programs** that strengthen Takeda’s ethical culture, risk management, and regulatory compliance. **Acting as an E&C authority and trusted partner** to ensure all digital operations are compliant and ethical while leveraging the latest technologies to drive innovation and growth. **Working cross-divisionally** (Business Units / Business Functions and GD&T) to ensure that data, AI, and digital technologies embed ethics and compliance into product and platform design.

Within this context, the Lead Counsel, Data Protection & AI (Global, ex-U.S.) will ensure that Takeda remains compliant with global data protection laws and emerging AI regulations by integrating these principles into Takeda’s broader digital ethics strategy.

**_ RESPONSIBILITIES _**

**Advisory & Guidance**
- Provide prompt, reliable, and solutions-oriented advice on global, regional, and local data protection and AI-related matters.
- Act as an E&C business partner to Legal, offering strategic input on initiatives impacting data protection and AI compliance.

**Global Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs)**
- Lead and execute Global PIAs, identifying risks and recommending mitigation strategies.
- Ensure PIAs are conducted as needed, maintaining transparency and lawfulness in data processing.

**Policy & Governance**
- Develop and maintain data protection and AI policies, standards, and best practices aligned with evolving regulations.
- Collaborate with the DE&C global program team to incorporate regulatory updates into corporate policies, SOPs, and assessment tools.

**Risk Management & Incident Handling**
- Assess and mitigate data privacy and AI risks, escalating issues when necessary.
- Oversee standard contractual clauses for international data transfers and coordinate with Legal on embedding privacy and AI-focused clauses in vendor contracts.
- Manage privacy incidents and investigations in coordination with regional DPOs and external authorities.

**Regulatory Compliance**
- Monitor and track global data protection and AI regulations, conducting timely Regulatory Impact Assessments (RiAs).
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements through corporate privacy and AI operations, tools, and processes (e.g., Subject Requests, ROPA, PIA, AI ethical assessments).
- Oversee privacy investigations and reporting, coordinating with BU/BF leads.
- Support the design and delivery of training on digital ethics, privacy, and AI for relevant stakeholders.

**Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement**
- Partner with IT, Legal, HR, Info Security, and other teams to embed data protection and AI compliance across Takeda.
- Act as a key SME in global data and digital strategy, advising senior management and p