R&D Process Director (Denmark, Søborg)

Novo Nordisk A/S; Søborg; On-site; DKK 941,000 - 1,449,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk A/S in Søborg, Denmark, seeks an R&D Process Director to orchestrate priority development processes across a global value chain. You will lead end-to-end process orchestration, owning key processes such as TPP, Global project framework, and Development Portfolio Strategy, driving speed, quality and resource transparency.

You will operate with independence and enterprise impact, align leaders, translate diagnostics into an orchestration roadmap, and monitor performance with R&D and

Qualifications

• Master’s, PhD, or equivalent in life sciences, business, strategy, data/digital or related discipline preferred.
• 10+ years in the pharmaceutical industry with exposure to drug development.
• Strong toolbox in process excellence (LEAN/Six Sigma, root-cause analysis, performance management, digital enablement).
• Proven expertise diagnosing complex process challenges and translating insights into scalable end-to-end solutions.
• Ability to influence without formal authority, align stakeholders, and lead in a matrix environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end process orchestration for priority R&D development processes.
• Own key processes (e.g., TPP, Global project framework, Development Portfolio Strategy).
• Set direction, build alignment and ensure improvements translate into measurable outcomes.
• Define and monitor process performance indicators, dependencies and escalation triggers.
• Provide enterprise-level sparring to leaders and mentor junior colleagues.

Skills

Process excellence

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Influence without authority

Education

Master’s or PhD in life sciences/related

Tools

LEAN/Six Sigma

Root-cause analysis

Performance management

Digital enablement

Job description

Jobbeskrivelse

Placering

Søborg, Denmark

Jobkategori

Business Development & Strategy

Strategy and Project Management Office

Are you ready to shape how complex R&D development processes are orchestrated across a global value chain? As R&D Process Director, you will help create clarity, speed and alignment across priority development processes, working with senior stakeholders to optimise how we bring meaningful innovation forward.

Your new role:

In this role, you will lead end-to-end process orchestration for priority R&D development processes, including ownership of key processes e.g TPP, Global project framework, Development Portfolio Strategy and Management. You will operate with a high degree of independence and enterprise impact, setting direction, building alignment and ensuring that process improvements translate into measurable outcomes.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Establishing and maturing the E2E process orchestration remit, including scope, operating model, deliverables and interfaces to existing governance bodies and line-of-business process owners.
• Challenging current ways of working and supporting leaders in simplifying, harmonising and digitalising key processes while maintaining compliance, quality and business continuity.
• Translating diagnostics, internal and external insights, and R&D priorities into an orchestration roadmap focused on speed, quality, predictability and resource transparency.
• Driving senior-level alignment on process optimisation choices, timeline expectations, trade-offs and implementation approaches across the value chain.
• Defining and monitoring process performance indicators, critical-path dependencies and escalation triggers in collaboration with R&D and cross-functional stakeholders.

You will also provide enterprise-level sparring to leaders and process owners, mentor more junior colleagues where relevant, and influence senior stakeholders without relying on direct line authority.

Your new department

You will join Strategy and Project Management Office within R&D Portfolio, Strategy and Operations, reporting to the Head of Strategy and Project Management. The team works closely with senior stakeholders across R&D and the Novo Nordisk value chain to strengthen execution, alignment and visibility across critical development processes.

In Research & Development, you’ll be part of a unit that explores bold scientific ideas and advances them into clinical testing. We combine curiosity, AI tools, and human data to develop transformative therapies. Through collaboration and operational excellence, we shape and deliver an innovative pipeline to meet future patient needs.

Your skills and qualifications:

We are looking for an experienced process and strategy leader who can work across complexity, influence senior stakeholders and turn insights into scalable solutions.

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• A master’s, PhD or equivalent experience in life sciences, business, strategy, data/digital or a related discipline is preferred.
• 10+ years of experience within the pharmaceutical industry, with exposure to drug development.
• A strong process excellence toolbox, such as LEAN/Six Sigma, root-cause analysis, performance management, continuous improvement and digital enablement of processes.
• Proven expertise in diagnosing complex process challenges and translating insights into scalable E2E solutions.
• The ability to influence without formal authority, drive stakeholder alignment across the value chain, and lead effectively in a matrix environment.

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health. One where diverse thinking, shared purpose and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. When you join us, you're not just starting a job – you're becoming part of a story that spans generations.

What we offer

There is, of course, more on offer here than the uniqueness of our culture and the extraordinary results we produce. Being part of a global healthcare company means opportunities to learn and develop are all around us, while our benefits are designed with your career and life stage in mind.

Salary: For this role, the Annual Base Salary ranges from 940,800 to 1,448,700 DKK (DK), 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 Philosophy here.

Deadline:

31. August 2026

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.