Associate Vice President, R&D Process Orchestration

Novo Nordisk A/S; Søborg; On-site; DKK 1,400,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk A/S in Søborg, Denmark, seeks an Associate Vice President, R&D Process Orchestration to accelerate how medicines are developed by redesigning workflows across the R&D value chain. You will partner with senior leaders to drive strategy, enable data-driven decisions, and implement AI-enabled processes.

The role demands senior leadership experience in pharma, a track record of enterprise-wide transformation, and a passion for collaboration, execution, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Masters or higher in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, or related field (preferred).
• Senior leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Proven track record leading enterprise-wide transformation and operational excellence.
• Experience redesigning operating models and cross-functional initiatives with measurable impact.

Responsibilities

• Define strategic direction for R&D process orchestration across R&D.
• Own and improve key portfolio management processes and the Global Project Framework.
• Drive process excellence by redesigning workflows and improving end-to-end efficiency.
• Collaborate with senior leaders across R&D, Quality, CMC, Digital, and business areas to align and accelerate asset strategy and development.
• Work with AI and Digital teams to accelerate digital transformation and enable fast downstream execution.
• Build high-performing teams and foster continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Digital transformation

Process optimization

Change management

Education

Master's degree (Life Sciences / Engineering / Business)

Tools

AI

Automation

Process mining

Analytics

Job description

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Associate Vice President, R&D Process Orchestration

Category: Project Management & Agile

Location: Søborg, Capital Region of Denmark, DK

Are you passionate about transforming how global R&D organisations operate? Do you thrive at the intersection of strategy, operational excellence, digital transformation, and cross-functional leadership?

If so, this is a unique opportunity to shape the future of R&D at Novo Nordisk.

The Position

As Associate Vice President, R&DProcessOrchestration, you will play a pivotal role in accelerating the way Novo Nordisk develops medicines by improving howthework flowsacross the entire R&D value chain;from earlydevelopmentstrategy through protocol development, clinical studies, andsubmission.

Reporting to the GroupVicePresidentof Portfolio Strategy & Project Leadership, you will lead the newly established R&DProcessOrchestration function and act as a strategic partner to the R&D Leadership Team. Your mission is to simplify complexity, improve speed, strengthen collaboration, and enable data-driven decision-making acrossR&D.

You will work acrossorganisationalboundaries to redesign workflows,optimiseprocesses, and introduce digital and AI-enabled solutions that improve productivity and reduce time to market.

Position to be based in Søborg, Denmark.

Your Key Responsibilities

You will:

Define the strategic direction forprocessorchestrationareaacross R&D.

Own and continuously improve key portfolio management processes andoptimisethe Global Project Framework.

Driveandfacilitateprocess excellenceby redesigning workflows, simplifying handovers,manageinterdependencies,and improving end-to-end process efficiency.

Partner with senior leadersand subject matter expertsacross R&D, Quality, CMC, Digital, and other business areas to drive enterprise-wide alignment and changeto accelerate development of asset strategy, clinical trial planning,executionand submission.

Work with ourAI and Digital area toaccelerate digital transformationofhow weset asset strategyand enableseamless and fastdownstream execution

Buildorganisationalcapability by developing a high-performing team and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Represent Novo Nordisk externally in relevant industry forums and benchmarkemergingbest practices in R&D operations.

Qualifications

To succeed in this role, you are likely to bring:

Amaster'sdegreeor other advanced degreein Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, or related discipline,preferred.

Senior leadership experience inthepharmaceuticalindustry.

A strongtrack recordof leading enterprise-wide transformation and operational excellence initiatives acrossacomplexpharmaceuticalorganisation

Demonstrated success delivering cross-functional transformation across complex value chains, aligning teams, processes, and outcomes.

Experience redesigning operating models, workflows, or business processes with measurable business impactfor R&D functions of a pharmaceutical company

Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority.

Experience implementing digital solutions such as AI, automation, process mining, or advanced analytics to improve business performance.

Strong program and portfolio management capabilities.

Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.

About You

We imagine that you:

Area strong communicator with excellent collaboration skills.

Think strategically whileremaininghighlyexecution oriented.

Are naturally curious,andchallengeestablishedways of working.

Enjoy solving complexorganisationalchallenges through collaboration and influence.

Build trust quickly and create alignment across diverse stakeholders.

Lead change with confidence and inspire others to embrace new ways of working.

Have a passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and creating lastingorganisationalimpact.

Deadline

Sunday 17 September 2026.

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

Working at Novo Nordisk

At Novo Nordisk, you will join a company driven by purpose and a commitment to improving the lives of millions of people living with serious chronic diseases. We offer an opportunity to influence one of the world's leading R&Dorganisationsand help shape how future medicines are developed through innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence.