Senior Director Research Competitive Intelligence

Zealand Pharma A/S; Gladsaxe Kommune; On-site; DKK 833,868 - 1,154,586; Full time

Job summary

Zealand Pharma A/S in Gladsaxe Kommune is seeking a Sr. Director of Research Competitive Intelligence to shape the company's research direction by integrating external data into actionable insights. You will collaborate closely with senior leaders and various departments, ensuring alignment on strategic decisions.

The ideal candidate will have a PhD, over 10 years of biopharma experience, and strong analytical capabilities, particularly in obesity and metabolic health. The role emphasizes independent thinking while fostering collaboration across research disciplines.

Qualifications

• 10–15+ years of biopharma experience, including significant experience in R&D strategy and/or competitive intelligence.
• Deep knowledge of obesity and metabolic disease biology and therapeutic landscape.
• Strong quantitative and data‑visualization capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Track and synthesize competitive intelligence across metabolic health and adjacent areas.
• Rapidly internalize breaking external data and independently develop analyses.
• Develop communications as the primary research competitive intelligence point of contact.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Research competitive intelligence

Data visualization

Drug chemistry

Pharmacology

Communication skills

Education

PhD or equivalent advanced degree in life sciences or quantitative discipline

Job description

Does it excite you to shape research strategy by turning breaking external data in obesity and metabolic health into actionable insights? Do you have experience with research competitive intelligence and quantitative analysis? If this sounds like you, and you are ready to take on a broad area of responsibilities, then you could be our new colleague.

About the Role

As Sr. Director, Research Competitive Intelligence, you will shape Zealand Pharma’s research direction by integrating the external landscape to influence the research portfolio. The position remains at the forefront of rapidly evolving scientific developments—including peer‑reviewed publications, press releases, patents, and congress readouts—and develops independent, data‑driven insights in close collaboration with internal and external subject‑matter experts. You report to the Chief Scientific Officer & EVP, Dr. Utpal Singh, and partner closely with Research, Medical, Development, IR, and Commercial stakeholders.

This hands‑on scientific leadership role requires a deep understanding of discovery chemistry, pharmacology, advanced quantitative methods, data visualization, and executive‑ready communication.

Responsibilities

• Track and synthesize competitive intelligence across metabolic health and adjacent areas, including competitor readouts, publications, and patent literature aligned to Zealand’s strategy and portfolio.
• Rapidly internalize breaking external data and independently develop analyses, narratives, and implications for Zealand’s research strategy and portfolio choices.
• Apply quantitative methods to capture, analyze, and visualize complex datasets (e.g., preclinical and clinical data), translating findings into actionable recommendations.
• Develop high‑impact communications—briefings, presentations, written summaries—as the primary research competitive intelligence point of contact.
• Partner across‑functionally with Research, Medical, Development, IR, and Commercial teams to align on key questions, decision points, and strategic options.
• Build repeatable competitive intelligence products and operating rhythms (landscape monitoring, event coverage, thematic deep‑dives) to support leadership decision‑making.

Qualifications

• PhD (or equivalent advanced degree) in a relevant life sciences or quantitative discipline, with a demonstrated understanding of drug chemistry, pharmacology, and development.
• 10–15+ years of biopharma experience, including significant experience in R&D strategy and/or competitive intelligence.
• Deep knowledge of obesity and metabolic disease biology and therapeutic landscape; ability to evaluate emerging science critically.
• High learning agility and familiarity with multiple modalities (peptides, antibodies, oligonucleotides) and their discovery and development considerations.
• Strong quantitative and data‑visualization capabilities to independently analyze complex datasets and build coherent narratives (clinical trial data, preclinical results, Bayesian/statistical approaches).
• Proven ability to partner with Research Data & Tech and IT to develop automated workflows and incorporate AI systems to accelerate internalization of external insights.
• Proven ability to influence in a matrixed environment and deliver clear, high‑impact presentations and written recommendations to senior executives.

About the Team

The position sits within the Research organization and reports to the Chief Scientific Officer & EVP. The role works closely with senior scientific leaders and subject‑matter experts across research disciplines—including chemistry, computational sciences, and biology—and collaborates broadly with Medical, Development, IR, and Commercial colleagues. It requires independent thinking with strong collaboration and communication across teams.

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from all job applicants.