Director, Architecture

Cari; København; Hybrid; DKK 941,000 - 1,449,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk, based in Søborg, Denmark, seeks a senior IT architecture leader to translate AI ambitions into clear technical priorities and roadmaps for R&D IT. You will guide governance and standardisation while shaping scalable architecture across applications, platforms and data.

You will lead about ten architecture specialists, collaborating with executives and stakeholders to drive AI initiatives and business value in a global health context.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in IT, CS, engineering or related discipline (Biology with 10+ IT years also welcome).
• Proven track record leading a specialised function or senior staff with organisational design and measurable business impact.
• Deep expertise in IT architecture strategy, governance, roadmaps and processes; design of IT systems and implementations.
• Strong knowledge across infrastructure (cloud/servers), integration (APIs/streaming/events), scalability and cloud design, plus proven AI experience.
• Excellent communication skills for executive storytelling and presentations.
• Strong business acumen with strategic thinking, problem-solving, project management, and a drive for continuous learning.

Responsibilities

• Set the overall direction for R&D IT architecture and communicate a shared technical vision across the organisation.
• Build roadmaps and align IT governance, architecture processes and technical strategy across applications, platforms and data.
• Lead and plan the work of around 10 architecture specialists and oversee contributions from up to five consultants.
• Shape AI and innovation initiatives, ensuring architecture supports current and new business opportunities.
• Influence technology decisions by surfacing trade-offs, prioritising clearly and linking technical choices to business value.

Skills

IT architecture

AI experience

Executive communication

Strategic thinking

Project management

Cloud & infrastructure

Education

Master's degree in IT/CS/engineering (or Biology with 10+ IT years)

Tools

APIs & integration

Cloud platforms

IT governance

Job description

Location: Søborg - Denmark Salary: Competitive Type: Permanent Main Industry: Search Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry Jobs Other Industries & Skills: Education & Training, Engineering, Information Technology, Management & Executive, Media Job ID: 133559944 Posted On: 06 October 2026

What you’ll bring

• A master’s degree in information technology, computer science, engineering, architecture or a related discipline. A degree in Biological Sciences combined with 10+ years of IT experience is also welcome.
• A proven track record of leading a specialised function or highly specialised senior employees, including organisational design and development, and of creating business results with functional impact.
• Deep expertise in IT architecture strategy, governance, roadmaps and processes, and in the design of IT systems and implementations.
• Strong technical knowledge across infrastructure (including cloud and servers), integration (APIs, streaming, events and batch patterns), and scalability and cloud design, plus proven AI experience.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to build clear storylines and presentations for executive management.
• Strong business acumen and value-chain understanding, with strategic thinking, problem-solving and project management skills, and a drive for continuous learning.

Desirable, not essential

• Experience in an R&D environment is strongly preferred. If you come from another regulated industry, we will also consider strong transferable experience.

What you’ll do

You will lead the architecture sub-function in R&D, turning future business direction and AI ambitions into clear technical priorities.

• Set the overall direction for R&D IT architecture and communicate a shared technical and architectural vision across the organisation.
• Build roadmaps and align IT governance, architecture processes and technical strategy across applications, platforms and data, with a focus on standardisation, reusability and scalability.
• Lead, develop and plan the work of 10 architecture specialists and oversee contributions from up to five consultants.
• Shape AI and innovation initiatives, making sure the architecture can use existing and new technologies for current and new business opportunities.
• Influence technology decisions by surfacing trade-offs, prioritising clearly and connecting technical choices to business value.

Who you’ll work with

In Research & Development, colleagues explore scientific ideas and advance them towards clinical testing, bringing together data, technology and collaboration to meet future health needs.

You will lead a team of around ten internal architecture specialists who mainly work independently while collaborating on cross-functional activities and shared initiatives. Your key partners will include senior leaders and decision-makers, business stakeholders, engineering and technology colleagues, and multifunctional strategic project groups. The scope is global, and your ability to treat stakeholders as partners and create shared goals will help decisions move forward with clarity and speed.

What you can expect here

You will help build the technology foundations R&D relies on in the years ahead and take part in AI and innovation initiatives that shape how we work. You will have real influence on technology direction and decision-making, and the opportunity to develop a team of highly skilled specialists.

You will be trusted to own decisions, encouraged to stay curious and learn from the world outside Novo Nordisk, and supported to keep your expertise current in a fast-moving field.

Salary: For this role, the Annual Base Salary ranges from 940,800 to 1,448,700 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.

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.

Learn more about our Reward Philosophyhere

Application deadline: 19 October 2026

We are an equal opportunities employer and are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all applicants. If you require adjustments during the application or selection process, zovcnovonordisk and include your name, the role you are applying for and the adjustment you require.