Associate Director, R&D Ethics & Compliance

Novo Nordisk; Oxford; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk is seeking an experienced Ethics & Compliance leader to build, oversee and evolve the R&D UK Ethics & Compliance programme from Oxford, covering medicines law, data privacy and AI requirements. You will establish a Governance Committee to drive oversight and accountability, and advise senior leaders on complex regulatory matters in a global matrix.

You’ll translate requirements into practical guidance, develop SOPs and manage compliance risks across UK operations, liaising with

Qualifications

• A relevant degree in Law, Medicine, Pharmacy or an equivalent discipline.
• Foundational qualification in data privacy.
• Detailed knowledge of UK and European pharmaceutical law, ABPI Code, EFPIA standards, MHRA guidance and data-privacy regulation.
• Substantial pharmaceutical-industry experience leading or advising on complex compliance matters at a senior level.
• The ability to influence without direct authority and build alignment across global and cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical, project leadership and stakeholder-management skills.
• Confidence presenting to directors and senior leadership, as well as delivering effective compliance training.

Responsibilities

• Build, implement and oversee the Novo Nordisk R&D UK Ethics & Compliance programme, covering UK medicines law, industry standards, data privacy and AI requirements.
• Establish and drive the Novo Nordisk R&D UK Ethics & Compliance Governance Committee, creating a clear forum for oversight, decisions and accountability.
• Advise colleagues and senior managers on complex regulatory and compliance matters, translating requirements into practical, proportionate guidance.
• Lead the development of standard operating procedures, compliance risk management and corrective action plans arising from audits or complaints.
• Establish effective transfer-of-value processes for interactions with healthcare professionals, healthcare organisations and patient organisations, including tracking, reporting and annual disclosures.
• Work with Legal and Ethics & Compliance colleagues at global headquarters in Denmark to support the consistent application of global guidance across the UK site.
• Explore appropriate uses of artificial intelligence to strengthen compliance monitoring and improve the efficiency of relevant processes and procedures.

Skills

Pharma law UK/EU

Data privacy

Compliance leadership

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Executive communication

Education

Law/Medicine/Pharmacy degree

Foundational data privacy qualification

Job description

Department: R&D Quality, Ethics & Compliance
Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

What you’ll bring

You are an experienced pharmaceutical Ethics & Compliance professional who can combine regulatory expertise with sound judgement, pragmatism and a strong business focus. You are comfortable advising senior leaders, challenging constructively and influencing decisions across a complex matrix organisation.

You will bring:

• A relevant degree in Law, Medicine, Pharmacy or an equivalent discipline, together with a foundational qualification in data privacy.
• Detailed knowledge of UK and European pharmaceutical law, the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Code of Practice, European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations standards, Medicines and Healthcare products, Regulatory Agency guidance and data-privacy regulation.
• Substantial pharmaceutical-industry experience leading or advising on complex compliance matters at a senior level.
• The ability to influence without direct authority and build alignment across global and cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical, project leadership and stakeholder-management skills.
• Confidence presenting to directors and senior leadership, as well as delivering effective compliance training both online and face to face. Experience reviewing promotional and non-promotional materials against the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry Code of Practice is considered an advantage.

What you’ll do

• Build, implement and oversee the Novo Nordisk R&D UK Ethics & Compliance programme, covering UK medicines law, industry standards, data privacy and relevant artificial intelligence requirements.
• Establish and drive the Novo Nordisk R&D UK Ethics & Compliance Governance Committee, creating a clear forum for oversight, decisions and accountability.
• Advise colleagues and senior managers on complex regulatory and compliance matters, translating requirements into practical, proportionate guidance.
• Lead the development of standard operating procedures, compliance risk management and corrective action plans arising from audits or complaints.
• Establish effective transfer-of-value processes for interactions with healthcare professionals, healthcare organisations and patient organisations, including tracking, reporting and annual disclosures.
• Work with Legal and Ethics & Compliance colleagues at global headquarters in Denmark to support the consistent application of global guidance across the UK site.
• Explore appropriate uses of artificial intelligence to strengthen compliance monitoring and improve the efficiency of relevant processes and procedures.

Who you’ll work with

You will report to the R&D Quality, Ethics & Compliance function within Novo Nordisk R&D in Denmark but will be based out of Oxford site in UK.

Your closest partners will include Novo Nordisk R&D UK site colleagues and R&D Legal. You will work across organisational boundaries, bringing together specialist perspectives and helping leaders move from regulatory complexity to clear, responsible action.

What you can expect here

This is an opportunity to shape an Ethics & Compliance programme with meaningful visibility and strategic scope. You will be trusted to apply your expertise and judgement, advise senior decision-makers and establish governance structures that support compliant R&D delivery.

You can expect close collaboration across the UK and Denmark, direct engagement with management and the opportunity to influence how compliance evolves in areas including data privacy and artificial intelligence.

Application Support

We are an equal opportunities employer, and we commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants. If you're a person with a disability, if you're neurodivergent, and need any adjustments to be made during the application and selection process, please send an email to [e-mail]. Please include your name, the role you are interested in and the type of adjustment your need.

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We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.