Senior Director Research Competitive Intelligence

Zealand Pharma; Sabro; On-site; DKK 1,500,000 - 2,100,000; Full time

Job summary

Zealand Pharma A/S invites applications for a Sr. Director, Research Competitive Intelligence to turn external data in obesity and metabolic health into strategic insights. You will lead data-driven analyses and narratives to shape Zealand’s research trajectory.

The role requires deep scientific knowledge and the ability to present complex findings to senior executives, collaborating with Research, Medical, Development, IR, and Commercial teams to drive portfolio implications.

Qualifications

• PhD in a life sciences or quantitative field with drug discovery or CI context.
• 10–15+ years in biopharma, with R&D strategy or competitive intelligence.
• Deep knowledge of obesity and metabolic disease biology and landscape.
• Ability to influence in a matrix, delivering executive-ready recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Track and synthesize CI across metabolic health and adjacencies.
• Internalize external data and develop analyses, narratives, and implications.
• Apply quantitative methods to analyze and visualize complex datasets.
• Develop high‑impact communications for senior leadership.
• Partner across Research, Medical, Development, IR, and Commercial teams.
• Build repeatable CI products and operating rhythms for leadership decisions.

Skills

Quantitative analysis

Data visualization

Executive communication

Matrix leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

External partner engagement

Education

PhD in life sciences or quantitative discipline

Job description

Does it excite you to shape research strategy by turning breaking external datainobesity and metabolic health into actionable insights? Do you have experience withresearchcompetitive 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.

Your new position

As Sr. Director, Research Competitive Intelligence , this role will shapeZealandPharma’s research direction by integrating externallandscapetoinfluenceresearchportfolio. The position will stay on top of the rapidly evolving landscape (peer reviewedpublications, press releases, patents, and congress readouts) and develop independent,data‑driveninsights in close collaboration with internalor externalsubject matter experts.

The role currently reports to Chief Scientific Officer & EVP, Dr. Utpal Singh , and partners closely with Research, Medical, Development, IR, and Commercial stakeholders. This is a hands ‑ onscientific leadership role requiringdeep understanding of discovery chemistry, pharmacology,advancedquantitative methods,datavisualization, andexecutive‑readycommunication.

We offer exciting responsibilities

• Track and synthesize competitive intelligence acrossmetabolic healthand adjacencies, including competitor readouts, publications, and patent literature in areas aligned to oradjacent toZealand’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.,preclinicaland clinical data), translating findings into actionable recommendations

• Develophigh‑impact,communications (briefings, presentations, written summaries) as a primary research competitive intelligence point of contact

• Partneracross‑functionallywith 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 (e.g., landscape monitoring, event coverage, thematicdeep‑dives) to support leadershipdecision‑making

Your profile

This role suits a scientifically rigorous, externally oriented leader whooperateswith urgency, curiosity, and sound judgment. Successrequirescomfort working independently on ambiguous problems while collaborating effectively in a matrixed environment. The ideal profile combines deep scientific acumen in metabolic disease with strong analytical thinking and crisp communication for senior audiences.

• PhD (or equivalent advanced degree) in a relevant life sciences or quantitative discipline, withdemonstratedunderstanding of drugchemistry, pharmacology,and development

• 10–15+ years of biopharma experience, includingsignificant experiencein 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 familiaritywith multiple modalities (e.g., peptides, antibodies, oligonucleotides) and theirdiscovery anddevelopment considerations

• Strong quantitative anddata‑visualizationcapabilities to independently analyze complex datasets and build coherent narratives (e.g., clinical trial data, preclinical results, Bayesian/statistical approaches)

• Partner with Research Data & Tech as well as IT to develop automated workflows and incorporate agentic AI systems to accelerate internalization of external insights

• Proven ability to influence in a matrix and deliver clear,high‑impactpresentations and written recommendations to senior executives

Your new team

The position currently sits within the Research organization and reports to the Chief Scientific Officer & EVP. The role will work closely with senior scientific leaders and subject matter experts across research disciplines (including chemistry/computational sciences and biology) and collaborate broadly with Medical, Development, IR, and Commercial colleagues to ensure external insights are rapidly translated into strategic and portfolio implications.While the role involves a high degree of independent thinking, we value and encourage regularon‑sitecollaborationas a way tosupport open dialogue, shared learning, and strong connections across teams.

Let’sbond and be bold

We have a unique culture, characterized by excellent teamwork and strong engagement across the organization. And we want you to help us strengthen this culture.

Making bonds is at the core of everything we do. From discovering and developing the best new peptide drugs for patients, to engaging with our partners or connecting with each other. We bond through curiosity and playfulness as a team, allowing ourselves to challenge common thinking and drive future innovation. Join us andlet’sbond and be bold.

About Zealand Pharma A/S

Zealand Pharma A/S (Nasdaq: ZEAL) is a biotechnology company focused on advancing medicines for obesity and metabolic health. Combining more than 25 years of peptide R&D expertise with a proprietary data platform that leverages advanced datadriven and AI/ML approaches, Zealand Pharma aims to lead a new era in obesity and metabolic health. To date, more than ten Zealand Pharma invented drug candidates have entered clinical development, of which two products have reached the market and three candidates are in late-stage development. The Company has collaborations with global pharmaceutical and biotechnology partners for research, development, and commercialization. Founded in 1998, Zealand Pharma is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, with a U.S. presence in Boston, Massachusetts. Learn more at www.zealandpharma.com.

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