Project Director - External Collaboration

Are you passionate about driving innovative partnerships? Do you have a knack for assessing and acquiring non-drug solutions that complement a pharmaceutical pipeline? If so, we invite you to join our External Collaboration Group at Novo Nordisk. Read more and apply today for a life-changing career. 

The position  

As Project Director (PD) in External Collaboration Group you will, together with the internal and external stakeholders, be responsible for the end-to-end process of partnership development for Non-Drug solutions that compliment NovoNordisk Drug pipeline. The key aspects of the role will be focusing on assessment of external assets and/or companies for in-licensing, partnering or acquisition. This role will be focusing on the SaMD for patient facing solutions, solutions developed for the clinical development and Digitally enabled diagnostic solutions.  

Your main responsibilities will be focused on: 

• Responsible for driving the end-to-end process of partnering and/or acquisition of non-drug assets with Medtech industry by interacting with relevant internal stakeholders, while ensuring these assets address key challenges relevant to the Novo Nordisk drug development pipeline, ensuring a portfolio- based approach. 
• Responsible for drive appropriate expert input for technical assessment of partners aligned with the non-drug asset product development plan, from early stage of evaluation through contractual agreement and alliance management. 
• Create transparency and effective communication around the partnering opportunity with the relevant project governance in LoB (SVP/PVP/CVP), Therapeutic Area Strategies (TAS) and, if relevant, across EVP areas.  Ensure a structured,  evidence-based partner selection.  
• Establish and maintain alliance management between external partner and Development organisation throughout the project lifecycle with suitable governance structure involving relevant SVP/PVP/CVP areas and right capabilities to deliver on the projects.  
• Acquire relevant knowledge and keep an industry overview with respect to partnering opportunities within fields of strategic interest. 

Qualifications: 

To be a qualified candidate, you should have: 

Need to have: 

• MA/MSC/PhD or similar degree and 7+ years of relevant experience in Devices (SaMD and Digital Health solutions) and Pharmaceutical business understanding. 
• Successful project management experience from leading cross-functional projects. 
• Thorough business and R&D value chain understanding, with experience from positions within the R&D value chain. 
• Analytical mindset with the ability to identify critical paths and parameters critical for value creation. 
• Medicinal product (SW, SaMD, and Digital Health Solutions) development understanding. 
• Knowledge of the drug development and life cycle management process. 
• Experience presenting to and being challenged by senior management groups and research management professionals. 
• Documented ability to create strong professional networks, including external collaborations. 

Nice to have: 

• Knowledge and insight of the commercialisation of pharmaceuticals, Diagnostics, Devices, and Digital Health through acquired pervious experience 
• Business planning skills – knowledge/experience with project planning tools and processes. 

About the department 

The “External Collaboration” group is anchored in “Development External Innovation” in the “Development EVP area”. The department supports “Development” in internalising external innovation. External Collaboration team focuses on partnering with MedTech and academia in bringing innovation that complement our drug pipeline and the unmet need in Development organisation for developing an integrated treatment solutions for patients. The External Collaboration Group supports the end-to-end process of R&D partnerships: from scouting the right solutions, partner and product assessment, due diligence, contracting and alliance management. We aspire to make Novo Nordisk “Development” the preferred partner for external organisations. You will be part of an inspiring work environment with focus on cross-functional and external collaboration, and personal development. We pride ourselves in being passionate about reaching ambitious goals while having fun together, we are curious and dare to explore new ways of working and we develop people through trust and empowerment. We are based in Søborg, Denmark.  

Working at Novo Nordisk 
Novo Nordisk is its people. We know that life is anything but linear, and balancing what is important at different stages of our career is never easy. That’s why we make room for diverse life situations, always putting people first. We value our employees for the unique skills they bring to the table, and we work continuously to bring out the best in them. Working at Novo Nordisk is working toward something bigger than ourselves, and it’s a collective effort. Novo Nordisk relies on the joint potential and collaboration of its more than 50,000 employees. Together, we go further. Together, we’re life changing. 

Contact 
For further information, please contact Maryam Atakhorrami, Senior Director External Collaborations, at QATM@novonordisk.com.  

Deadline 
1 December 2024.    

To ensure an efficient and fair recruitment process, please refrain from adding a photo in your CV. We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants. 

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.