Associate Director, Nonclinical Project Management - Small Molecules

Novo Nordisk A/S; Måløv; Remote; DKK 847,000 - 1,245,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk A/S in Denmark seeks an Associate Director to lead nonclinical project management for small-molecule programmes from lead candidate through clinical development to regulatory submission. You will align science, timelines and regulatory expectations, enabling robust nonclinical data packages and milestone progress.

You'll collaborate across toxicology, pharmacokinetics, safety pharmacology and bioanalysis, drive integrated plans, and mentor cross-functional teams in a highly matrixed

Qualifications

• Academic degree in a life-science field.
• Several years of pharma/biotech drug development experience.
• Experience in nonclinical project management or cross-functional drug development roles.
• Strong planning, prioritisation, risk-management and stakeholder-management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Lead nonclinical project management for a portfolio of small-molecule projects from lead candidate through clinical development and regulatory submission.
• Coordinate work across toxicology, safety pharmacology, metabolism, pharmacokinetics and bioanalysis.
• Establish and maintain integrated project plans covering timelines, budgets, risks, dependencies and resources.
• Drive teams to resolve issues, maintain momentum and prepare milestones.
• Prepare high-quality nonclinical data packages and regulatory submission content.
• Plan and facilitate nonclinical design reviews and regulatory interactions.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

English communication

Regulatory awareness

Strategic planning

Education

Academic degree in veterinary medicine, pharmacology, toxicology or pharmaceutical sciences

PhD in a relevant discipline (optional)

Job description

Associate Director, Nonclinical Project Management - Small Molecules

Category: Project Management & Agile

Location: Måløv, Capital Region of Denmark, DK

Your impact begins here

You will lead the nonclinical project management of small-molecule programmes from lead candidate selection through clinical development and towards regulatory submission and approval. By connecting scientific disciplines, project priorities and regulatory requirements, you will help teams build robust nonclinical data packages and progress important milestones. Your leadership will create clarity across complex programmes and support their path towards first-in-human studies and beyond.

What you’ll bring

You combine a strong scientific foundation with the ability to bring structure, momentum, and alignment to complex drug-development programmes. You communicate clearly across disciplines and can deliver results through collaboration and influence.

• An academic degree in veterinary medicine, pharmacology, toxicology, pharmaceutical sciences or another relevant life-science discipline.
• Several years of experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology drug development, including experience with small-molecule development.
• At least three years of experience in nonclinical project management or a comparable cross-functional drug development role.
• A strong understanding of nonclinical small-molecule development, including drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, safety pharmacology and toxicology
• In-depth knowledge of relevant nonclinical regulatory guidance and expectations.
• Strong planning, prioritisation, risk-management and stakeholder-management skills, together with excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Useful, but not essential: A PhD in a relevant discipline. Equivalent, relevant industry experience will also be considered.

What you’ll do

• Lead nonclinical project management for a portfolio of small-molecule projects, from lead candidate selection through clinical development and towards market.
• Coordinate work across toxicology, safety pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, bioanalysis and related development disciplines.
• Establish and maintain integrated project plans covering timelines, budgets, risks, dependencies, resources, and key deliverables.
• Bring teams together to identify and resolve issues, maintain momentum, and prepare projects for important development milestones.
• Drive the preparation of high-quality nonclinical data packages and documentation, including content supporting Investigator’s Brochures and global regulatory submissions.
• Plan and facilitate nonclinical design reviews and the first Safety Committee Meeting before the first human dose trial, while supporting regulatory interactions throughout development.

Who you’ll work with

You will join Nonclinical Project Management within Global Discovery & Development Sciences in Research and Development. The function coordinates nonclinical work across the project lifecycle, from lead candidate selection through clinical development to regulatory submission and approval.

You will work closely with nonclinical development teams, external partners and specialists across toxicology, safety pharmacology, drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, bioanalysis and related functions. As a key point of contact for nonclinical development, you will also contribute as an integrated member of Global Project Teams or Clinical Development Teams for late-stage projects. Your role will be to connect perspectives, clarify priorities, and help multidisciplinary teams deliver together.

What you can expect here

You can expect a role with broad scientific exposure and responsibility across complex, cross-functional projects. You will have the opportunity to shape how nonclinical programmes are planned and delivered, contribute your expertise to global project decisions, and strengthen your experience across the drug-development lifecycle.

You will work in an environment where curiosity, collaboration, and diverse thinking support long-term progress in health. You will be trusted to take ownership, make your expertise count, and help teams move forward with clarity.

Salary: For this role, the Annual Base Salary ranges from 847,000 to 1,245,100 DKK, corresponding to the level of the position.

The placement within the salary range will be assessed during the recruitment process based on the candidate’s skills, competencies, knowledge, and relevant experience. The figures are the documented annual minimum and maximum for Job Level 9.

Incentives and Benefits: The salary package may include short-term and/or long-term incentives as well as other employee benefits based on position level, location, functional area, and relevant market benchmarks.

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