Associate Director - Engineering & Projects

About the Department                                                                                                                                             

Our Boston Research & Development hub, anchored in the greater Boston area, brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown and Cambridge reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our greater Boston R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources,and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.

The Position

This role is responsible for leading and managing the engineering department, providing strategic direction, technical expertise and support to site operations. This role is responsible for business cases, planning and executing capital projects, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget and to the required standards, regulations and quality. This is a leadership role integrated within the Facility Management operations team, responsible for:

Strategic Operational Leadership: Provide strategic Engineering, Project Management and Space Management governance across multiple sites, driving operational excellence, efficiency, and effectiveness. Maintaining relationships with preferred design & construction suppliers, Architecture, MEPFP, GC & CM's. Capital Process, budget monitoring & forecasting. Develop and implement strategic initiatives to meet short-term and long-term objectives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams within NN to align operational goals with overall business objectives.

Operational Excellence and Compliance: US R&D Site ESG targets support, reporting, strategy, provide expertise to and participate in risk assessments. MA Hub Space Planning Team Oversight & Capacity vs Demand, Stakeholder engagement, Reporting, Space Strategy. Develop and implement operational strategies to optimize processes and resources, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the operations group, analyzing data and performance metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions.

Relationship Management and Decision Making: Act as a liaison between peer site locations, facilitating communication and sharing best practices, while representing the operations group in negotiations with vendors, partners, and stakeholders. Make informed decisions independently, considering both tactical needs and broader strategic objectives. Provide clear effective communications to articulate needs, strategies, and objectives to stakeholders at all levels. Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to support operational goals and objectives.

It is the intent of the entire US FM operations organization to provide a consistent, collaborative experience, based on a single set of operating principles. The site operations teams, behaviors and responsibilities are structured to ensure a safe, efficient, and streamlined delivery of site services, consistent customer experience, business continuity, fiscal accountability, and environmental responsibility through an open, collaborative, engaging, empowering and inclusive team culture.

The facilities operations team is an cohesive, high-performing group, equipped to be accountable for individual goals aligned with department, site and business objectives. The work environment and team collaboration approach to operations and service delivery targets open, supportive, approachable, positive attitudes to build trust, create innovation and set an example. Team members are required to have development goals to enhance their skills, knowledge, and expertise through training programs, workshops, collaboration and professional development. The Facility operations team model combines a mix of employees, contractors, and service providers to maintain a single outcome-based delivery of site infrastructure, operations, services, amenities, and stakeholder experience.

Relationships

This role reports to the Head of US R&D Facilities and will have collaborative and cross-functional relationships/responsibilities with onsite Facilities and Lab Operations, North America and NN Global teams. Works with Facilities team and lab operations teams, EH&S, Workplace Services, and operations contract support. External relationships include those with business partners, AHJ’s and valued vendors.

Essential Functions

• Develop and implement policies & procedures to ensure efficient and effective operation & project delivery
• Manage and develop the engineering & space teams, ensuring necessary skillsets and training
• Develop and maintain a capital project plan and execute capital projects, support capital process (IPG)
• Ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, scope and as designed
• Develop and maintain relationships with contractors, vendors, NN customer base and other stakeholders
• Provide technical expertise, strategic guidance and support to facility operations, R&D, EH&S as required
• Keep abreast of current regulations, legislation, codes and industry trends
• Manage budgets and expenses related to the engineering department and capital projects
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities, manage changing requirements & adjusted priorities

Physical Requirements

Occasionally moves equipment and/or supplies weighing up to 50 pounds within the facility using various body positions. Constantly operates a computer & other office equipment using hands. Able to travel domestically & internationally, up to 15% of the time. Able to work in an open office environment with the possibility of frequent distraction. Role is in-office or on-site with occasional remote work, typically not exceeding 20% of working hours.

Development of People

Ensure that reporting personnel have individual development plans (IDP), with annual goals and measurements that are consistent with the priorities of the business, and that interim reviews are held so that their work is focused on those priorities, and they understand their level of accountability for results and the measurement process.

Ensure that the IDP forms include completed learning and aspiration plans and are in place for all reporting personnel to enable the achievement of goals and capability to assume increased levels of responsibility.

Manage the application and communication of all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and Novo Nordisk Way.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in a technical field (e.g., Engineering, Chemistry, Biology or Environmental Sciences, or related field). Advanced degree preferred. Advanced degree may be substituted for experience as appropriate
• 10 years’ experience in managing an engineering program and leading capital projects within a facility management or construction environment preferred
• Proven experience in operations leadership roles, preferably in a multi-site environment
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, complemented by strong leadership abilities, strategic thinking, and a results-oriented approach
• Experience in project management & process improvement methodologies, change management, and driving organizational transformation
• Proven track record of delivering capital projects on time, within budget, and to the required standard
• Knowledge of building codes, life safety, health and safety regulations and legislation
• Experience as owner’s rep for pharmaceutical, biotech R&D lab design & operations, clinical/GMP facilities, and lab/office space optimization preferred
• Strong leadership and team management skills, among distributed teams in a dynamic environment
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.