Sourcing Director, China External Innovation

Role purpose

The Sourcing Director of China External Innovation (EI) is accountable for originating, evaluating, and driving biotech collaboration deals that create pipeline value for Novo Nordisk through biotech partnership and co-development.

Operating as a senior contributor, the role focuses on biotech engagement, scientific evaluation, and deal shaping within the China biotech ecosystem, progressing opportunities toward internal decision milestones and integration into R&D Lines of Business (LoB), in alignment with Global R&D External Innovation processes.

Key accountabilities

Sourcing, evaluation & deal shaping

• Coordinate structured gap analysis with internal stakeholders, including:

• Therapeutic Areas, Target Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, and other relevant functions
• Identification of biology, chemistry, capability, or capacity gaps in the internal pipeline
• Translation of those gaps into clear sourcing hypotheses and partnership requirements
• Proactively source and triage biotech opportunities across the China ecosystem based on the gap analysis outcome.
• Lead deep scientific evaluation covering:
• Medicinal Chemistry quality and design hypotheses
• CADD/AIDD drug design maturity and real‑world impact
• translational relevance and execution risk

•  Drive opportunities through EI pipeline‑filling processes, including:

• internal alignment and framing
• pre‑due diligence and due diligence input
• preparation of decision materials for EI and LoB forums
• Actively shape the scientific and structural aspects of deals, while partnering with alliance management and BD on contracting and execution

Pipeline integration & value realization

• Ensure collaborations generate outputs that are aligned with global pipeline needs
• Enable smooth handover and absorption of externally generated assets into NN programs

Qualifications

• PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Life Sciences, or related discipline
• 8+ years experience in:
• small‑molecule drug development
• biotech collaborations or external innovation
• Medicinal Chemistry and CADD/AIDD‑enabled programs
• Demonstrated experience evaluating and advancing deals involving:
• early biotech pipelines
• platform‑based drug development collaborations
• Strong ability to assess chemistry‑driven programs and AI‑enabled design claims with scientific rigor

• High degree of personal motivation and proactivity, able to influence without authority, and operate comfortably in ambiguity

Core competencies

Gap‑driven sourcing mindset
Ability to translate internal pipeline and capability gaps into focused sourcing priorities and partnership hypotheses.

Scientific deal judgment
Strong judgment to assess early, incomplete biotech data and determine partnership value beyond headline claims.

Collaboration & deal shaping
Ability to structure clear, executable collaboration models with defined value‑creation logic and success criteria.

Matrix influence
Proven capability to align and influence cross‑functional stakeholders without formal authority.

External credibility
Trusted peer‑level engagement with biotech scientific leaders and founders.

Decision framing
Ability to synthesize complexity into clear, decision‑ready recommendations for governance forums.

Pipeline impact focus
Strong ownership mindset, measured by downstream pipeline contribution.

Working conditions

• Based in Shanghai
• Up to ~20% travel, primarily within China, as required for partner and project engagement

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 preventing 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.