Head of Business Development Transactions

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

Corporate Development contributes 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 VP Head of Business Development (BD) Transactions will be responsible for building, supervising and mentoring a team of transactional professionals. The VP will also interface with and influence therapeutic area heads, search and evaluation, alliance management, RPComm, executive management, and potentially board of directors. The VP will represent Novo's partnership interests with potential partners. The VP will devise, recommend and implement new innovation sourcing activities together with LoB and in collaboration relevant stakeholders, ensuring that synergies are leveraged across the pillars of Novo Nordisk R&D external innovation strategy. The VP will function as a Novo Nordisk cross organizational strategy advisor to the CSO, management, strategy and other select functions in R&D and other areas, providing input to portfolio, technology, and innovation strategies etc.

Relationships

The VP manages a number of direct reports and works with colleagues through a matrix organization. The VP will report to the GVP, Head of BD and M&A. Key stakeholders include employees located in Novo Nordisk A/S, members of executive management, members of management in Research and Development and other EVP areas, as well as stakeholders located within global Novo Nordisk locations. External collaborators include industry peers and executives, and academic researchers.

Essential Functions

• Has responsibility for representing the transactional interests of Novo Nordisk
• Builds, supervises and mentors a team of transactional professionals, as well as, develops, institutes and maintains a standardized system to educate transactional and other corporate functions about business development principles
• Introduces standardized training within the team to increase the quality of deals completed
• Works with search and evaluation and therapeutic area heads to improve the identification of deals of interest and drive diligence to more quickly stop deals that should not move forward and quickly close on deals that should move forward
• Has the gravitas and experience of deal making across multiple geographies, diligences run, and creating therapeutic strategies to be a credible voice to recommend moving forward or stopping deals to therapeutic area heads, search and evaluation, alliance management, RPComm, executive management, and the board of directors
• Works diligently to build trusting relationships across multiple functional areas, including finance, legal, research, etc.
• Works very closely with internal and external partners to balance the partners’ and company’s interests while executing deals

Physical Requirements

20-30% 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

• M.B.A; some scientific knowledge preferred
• At least 12 years pharma experience from leadership roles a within the pharmaceutical or biopharmaceutical industry
• Strong international experience in deal execution
• In and out-licensing along with collaboration experience, including negotiations and re-negotiations
• Unparalleled experience in understanding and teaching the intricacies of licensing
• M&A experience
• Proven ability to build and mentor a business development transactional team
• Has a significant network of business development contacts within the biotech ecosystem
• Excellent presentation skills, including to senior management and the board of directors
• Demonstrated abilities to work across multiple functional areas
• Demonstrated abilities to drive consensus among and influence decisions, including among senior management
• Proven ability to lead all elements of due diligence and deal negotiation
• Strategic and visionary thinker at top pharma level
• Ability to continuously interact with top level stakeholders
• Solid collaboration and communication skills
• Ability to execute complex project tasks through others under tight deadlines and many stakeholders
• High level of skills in strategy analyses and organizational and operational development
• High level project management skills as an owner of strategic projects
• Excellent business understanding of the pharma industry and R&D value chain

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.