Senior Director Scientific Data Strategy and Systems

Novonesis (Novozymes); Hørsholm; On-site; DKK 1,800,000 - 2,600,000; Full time

Job summary

Novonesis seeks a (Senior) Director, Scientific Data Strategy and Systems to shape the strategy for scientific data, AI, and digitalization across R&D and interfaces to stakeholders. You will lead a team, align roadmaps, and drive AI-enabled research across the organization.

The role emphasizes visionary leadership, collaboration with IT, and external partnerships to accelerate innovation and provide measurable business value.

Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Set the strategic direction for scientific data, AI, and digitalization across R&D.
• Own and evolve the portfolio of scientific digital products and systems, data platforms, and AI capabilities.
• Lead the transformation of R&D into an AI-enabled organization by embedding AI and advanced analytics in workflows.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Communication

People leadership

Education

Masters or PhD in Life Sciences / related field

Job description

Interested in a career that matters?

Are you ready to shape the future of scientific data and digital innovation at Novonesis?

As (Senior) Director, Scientific Data Strategy and Systems, you will define and drive the strategy for scientific data, AI, and digitalization across R&D and within interfaces to key stakeholders, enabling faster innovation and greater business impact.

You will own the strategic and operational leadership of the scientific digital ecosystem supporting Novonesis R&D, including scientific applications, data platforms, AI capabilities, digital governance, and enabling technology foundations. Working closely with stakeholders across R&D, Application Research, Technical Service, and IT, you will create alignment around a shared digital vision, translate strategic ambitions into actionable roadmaps, and drive implementation across the organization. Through visionary leadership, strong stakeholder engagement, and a passion for innovation, you will position Novonesis at the forefront of scientific digitalization.

The Role & Your Impact

As (Senior) Director, you will lead the Scientific Data Strategy and Systems team that consists of 4 Department Managers and a Strategy Manager. You will lead the strategic agenda for scientific data, AI, and digital capabilities across R&D and within interfaces to key stakeholders in our commercial divisions, by connecting strategy, technology and people to accelerate innovation and create business value. The role also includes responsibility for the Strain Approval Support team and certain policy and technology strategy issues for the wider Novonesis R&D.

Key responsibilities include:

• Set the strategic direction for scientific data, AI, and digitalization across R&D, ensuring alignment with business priorities and long-term innovation goals.
• Own and evolve the portfolio of scientific digital products and systems, data platforms, and AI capabilities underpinning research, discovery, and development activities across R&D.
• Lead the transformation of Novonesis R&D into an AI-enabled scientific organization by embedding AI, machine learning and advanced analytics into research workflows and decision making.
• Create alignment across R&D, AR, TS, and IT by developing shared roadmaps, establishing priorities, and ensuring successful development and execution of strategic initiatives and investment plans
• Lead enterprise governance forums and investment prioritization processes for scientific digitalization, scalable operating models, and AI initiatives across R&D.
• Build strategic external partnerships and identify emerging technologies to ensure Novonesis remains at the forefront of scientific data, AI, and digital innovation.
• Partner closely with R&D Leadership teams to ensure that data, AI and digital scientific capabilities have a real, direct and quantifiable effect on product discovery & development speed and quality.
• Ensure timely filing of regulatory approval documents through the efficient generation of production strain dossiers in collaboration with Regulatory Affairs.
• Lead and develop leaders and teams, empowering a culture of collaboration, innovation, trust, and continuous improvement.

What You'll Need to Be Successful

Success in this role requires visionary leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to create followership around a shared vision. You combine strategic vision with the ability to drive execution and are comfortable shaping long-term direction, influencing stakeholders, and leading transformational change.

• Masters or Phd degree within Life Sciences, Biotechnology, Data Science, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Experience leading digital, data, AI, or scientific informatics organizations within life sciences, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or related R&D-intensive industries.
• Strong understanding of scientific data ecosystems, digital platforms, data infrastructure, and AI technologies.
• Demonstrated success translating scientific challenges into scalable digital, data, and AI solutions.
• Strong stakeholder management skills and demonstrated ability to build followership through vision, collaboration, and influence.
• Proven experience leading leaders and driving performance through others with clarity and accountability.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to adapt messages and create engagement at all levels of the organization.

What We Offer

In this role, you will step into a unique leadership position with the opportunity to shape the future of scientific data, AI, and digitalization at Novonesis. You will influence strategic direction across R&D - working alongside talented colleagues across science, technology, and business, and lead an organization that plays an important role in enabling future innovation.

You will join a collaborative and trust-based culture that values strong partnerships, diverse perspectives, and shared success. At the same time, you will have the opportunity to develop leaders and capabilities, challenge established ways of working and drive meaningful transformation with lasting impact across the organization.

Relevant information:

Deadline: 25th of September 2026

Location: Lyngby, Denmark

Travel Requirements: 2-4 weeks per year

Contact: Jens Erik Nielsen, Senior Vice President, Enzyme, Protein & Strain Engineering – on [e-mail]

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Location:

Lyngby

Additional location:

• Hørsholm, Gammel Venlighedsvej
• Bagsværd