Associate Director, Search & Evaluation

About the Department

The Novo Cambridge location is the headquarters for Global Business Development across all of our therapeutic and technology areas. We contribute to innovation in one of the world's largest life sciences ecosystems by participating in events and discussions with renowned and upcoming scientists looking for the next scientific breakthrough to bring transformative treatments to patients. We work with start-ups, established companies and venture capitalists to support the development of innovation for mutual benefit, and to help patients in all of our current therapy areas. Through a variety of partnership models, we accelerate ideas from the lab and clinic to advance and expand our product portfolio and to improve outcomes for the patients we serve.

The Position

Global Business Development is responsible for Novo corporate business development activities related to establishing external partnerships, collaborations and acquisitions, as well as integration and alliance management. The Group Vice President (GVP) area consists of units covering business development from end-to-end with Search, Evaluation & Intelligence, BD and M&A Transactions, Integration and Alliance Management. Search, Evaluation & Intelligence (SE&I) is part of GBD and acts as the primary entry point for external drug and technology opportunities relevant to Novo. SE&I conducts proactive scouting campaigns to identify relevant opportunities by targeting universities, biotechnology companies and venture capital firms, by means of partnering events, road shows and commissioned meetings or events. The search for novel therapeutics focuses on our core areas: diabetes, obesity, as well as MASH, CVD CKD and rare blood and endocrine disorders. Besides our therapeutic areas of interest, SE&I supports the identification of cutting-edge enabling technologies within oligonucleotides, protein and peptide engineering and gene editing/therapy. Working cross-functionally, SE&I supports the assessment of such external opportunities all the way to due diligence and contractual negotiation.

The role is a driver for change in executing Novo strategy and business development activities on a global scale and has the following responsibilities: Identification of novel pipeline assets and enabling technologies. Strategic overview of internal, as well as BD, pipeline assets. Evaluation of novel pipeline assets and enabling technologies. Independence: Moderate. Works independently on specific projects, requiring guidance and input from manager/senior team members for broader strategy or significant issues. Decision-making: Moderate. Responsible for making decisions within defined parameters, leading projects, but often seeks approval from the manager for larger decisions.

Relationships

The position is part of the global SE&I evaluation team with members located predominantly in Denmark and Cambridge, MA, US.  Reports to the Sr. Director, Global Evaluation. The role will interact cross-functionally with stakeholders from the entire value chain while working in close collaboration with Novo Business Development teams located in Denmark and Cambridge. This position will also leverage their networks and actively engage with external stakeholders including biotech companies, venture capital firms and large-cap pharma communities. The role has no direct or indirect reports.

Essential Functions

• Contribute to and support identification of novel pipeline assets and enabling technologies
• Drive in-depth evaluation and due diligence process
• Establish Novo as the preferred partner within relevant therapy areas
• Provide support to Business Development during negotiation of licenses and collaborations in alignment with SE&I
• Work cross-organizationally with stakeholders from R&D to Commercial and beyond to ensure alignment
• Build and maintain BD opportunity landscapes
• Establish Novo as the preferred partner within relevant therapy areas
• Actively engage with external stakeholders particularly venture capital, biotech companies and other large-cap pharma
• Participate in partnering events, scientific conferences and other relevant networking events

Physical Requirements

10-20% overnight travel required; May require international travel.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business or life sciences is required; a medical degree is preferred
• 8+ years of experience in R&D Business development, or equivalent role
• Proven project management skills and experience
• Solid knowledge of or experience in clinical drug development in relevant therapeutic areas is an advantage
• Ability to analyse and digest complex ideas and data to make clear and qualified recommendations to senior stakeholders
• Experience working as part of cross-functional teams, ensuring clear communication and teamwork
• Strong communication skills, both in written and presentation form
• Outgoing with strong networking, collaboration and stakeholder management skills
• Curious, self-driven, solution- and goal-oriented individual who functions well in a dynamic environment
• Strategic business and financial acumen coupled with deep interest and curiosity about life sciences and medicine

The base compensation range for this position is $152,700 to $267,300. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. Novo offers long-term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors.

Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy and parental leave policy.

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

At Novo, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.

Novo 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 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.