Associate Vice President, Global Search & Evaluation

About the Department

The Novo Nordisk 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, venture capitalists, teaching hospitals, and academic institutions 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 (GBD) is responsible for Novo Nordisk’s 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 Nordisk. 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, MASH, CVD 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. This position has responsibility for leading Global Search & Evaluation in all of Novo Nordisk’s therapy areas. 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 Nordisk's 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: Very high. Operates with the highest level of autonomy and engaging with senior leaders at VP+ level. Decision-making: Very high. Makes major decisions that affect the direction of the cases and asserts high level of influence on resource allocation from cross-functional teams.

Relationships

Reports to the VP - Search, Evaluation, & Intelligence and will manage a team of Search & Evaluation professionals. This position will also leverage an individual’s network, and actively engage with internal and external stakeholders including biotech companies, venture capital firms and pharma communities, to ensure Novo Nordisk becomes the preferred partner within our areas of interest. Internal stakeholders include: Therapy area heads, the Global Business Development Leadership Team, R&D, Development, CSCA and PS/CMC.

Essential Functions

• Lead global search and evaluation activities by identifying early opportunities and engagement models to build and transform Novo Nordisk’s pipeline
• Lead Global Evaluation team and be part of the SE&I Leadership Team
  • Be an active part of the SE&I LT and the overall strategic direction for SE&I
  • Lead a team of Search & Evaluation professionals in line with the Novo Nordisk Way to ensure optimal employee development, planning and resource utilization
  • Clarify direction and strategy and coordinate and prioritize tasks for the team and contribute to foster an engaged and high performing team
  • Establish and ensure maintenance of the OHS management system for the area. Ensure the unit is in compliance and up-to-date with all applicable quality requirements (QMRs, QAPs, CAPA and training)
  • Responsible for people processes and people development incl. Talk2Grow (Performance appraisal), job descriptions, Individual Development Plans (IDP), salary, bonus and nomination of employees for promotions
  • Ensure skills and competences of the team aligned with the demands and requirements set by present and future development projects and stakeholders

• Ensure strategic overview of internal, as well as BD pipeline assets and needs
  • Through internal and external network explore what assets are needed for the TA as well as how they fit with the existing internal pipeline
  • Setting direction to SE&I efforts within the appointed therapy/technology area
  • Ensure oversight of the external opportunities within the designated therapy area
  • Ensure oversight of the internal pipeline within the designated therapy area
  • Ensure tracking of opportunities in Inova
  • Develop strategy for sourcing innovation and taking proactive initiatives (Innovation Summit; Partnering day; Scientific Fora etc.
  • Branding Novo Nordisk as an attractive partner by active participation at international partnering and scientific events, and speaking as a panelist
• Identification of novel pipeline assets and enabling technologies
  • Ensure a balanced participation in partnering events and scientific conferences
  • Ensure establishment and maintenance of network to potential partners
  • Scout for and report opportunities through professional networks or literature searches, databases or patent searches within Novo Nordisk’s therapy areas
  • Engage with external stakeholders particularly venture capital, biotech companies and pharma

• Evaluation of novel pipeline assets and enabling technologies
  • Drive the technical streams of the Business Development process from strategy, to target identification and initial evaluation to due diligence
  • Ensure presentations of selected opportunities to relevant stakeholders and governance boards
  • Ensure a prioritized and coordinated evaluation of opportunities
  • Ensure due diligence project management, to enable decision-making
  • Provide support to Business Development during negotiation of licenses and collaborations
  • Working cross-organizationally with stakeholders from R&D to Commercial
• Provide leadership, mentorship and functional oversight
  • Work collaboratively with SE&I leadership to drive performance, development and advancement of the area
  • Set and clarify direction and strategy for the Search & Evaluation teams
  • Build capability across the function through mentoring and fostering a high-performance culture
  • Strive to eliminate bottlenecks and remove roadblocks to ensure progress at pace
  • Run activities that support the direction-setting for the area and contribute to fostering an engaged and high performing team, managed in accordance with the Novo Nordisk Way
  • Act as a thought leader, providing expertise and guidance in business development strategy and planning
  • Actively help develop and build succession within the team and the broader GBD area as a member of the SE&I team

Physical Requirements

20-30% international and domestic overnight travel required.

Development of People

Supervisory. 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

• Advanced degree (Master’s) in business, economics, finance, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biology, pharmacology or other related field is required.  Prefer advanced scientific education (e.g. PhD)
• 15+ years of relevant experience required including multiple years of leadership experience. Experience in biopharmaceutical BD/M&A expected
• High capacity for idea generation, hypothesis testing and problem solving, the ability to consolidate large amounts of complex information in a dynamic environment and to think outside the box to arrive at creative solutions
• Strong analytical and financial skills, and the ability to assess and credibly challenge data and concepts across a large span of content, often towards technical expert stakeholders, is critical
• Ability to lead analytical and strategic projects independently and in close cooperation with colleagues across Novo Nordisk to ensure a holistic strategic solution to often multifaceted business problems
• Direct accountability with a high degree of integrity and capable of providing high quality deliverables for projects of strategic importance, at times under considerable pressure and tight deadlines; hence the position requires a highly structured and analytical approach combined with a high capacity and sense of urgency
• Demonstrated ability to present to, influence and build rapport with senior management
• Leadership or people management experience in finance or industry
• Excellent collaboration, influential leadership skills and an ability to learn the Novo Nordisk business and organisation, as well as the general pharma/biotech industry
• Ability to identify and prioritize risks across functional areas, weigh those appropriately with benefits of investment, and effectively frame business decisions for senior management
• Ability to successfully navigate internal dynamics, experience working in a matrix organization preferred
• Ability to motivate others to advance goals, and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects or roles in a rapidly evolving environment

The base compensation range for this position is $280,800 to $491,400. 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 Nordisk 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 Nordisk, 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 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.