Associate Director, Engineering Projects

Novo Nordisk A/S; Lexington, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 175,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) & flexible spending accounts

Job summary

The candidate will guide capital planning, prioritization, and program execution, with a strong emphasis on regulatory and quality requirements and organizational transformation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 9+ years of experience, or Master's and 7+ years.
• Proven experience in operations leadership in a multi-site environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Experience in project management, process improvement, and change management.
• Proven track record delivering capital projects on time and within budget.
• Familiarity with building codes, life safety, and safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead PMO and controls for the IPG CAPEX program.
• Establish delivery processes for predictable execution.
• Coordinate delivery across design, procurement, construction, and operations.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and governance updates.
• Provide engineering governance for operations-driven initiatives.

Skills

Operations leadership

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Facility: Business Support & Administration

Location: Lexington, MA, US

About the Department

Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Plainsboro reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.

The Position

The Associate Director (US R&D Operations) will be a key contributor to (1) delivery of the IPG (Investment Portfolio Group) CAPEX program currently in execution and (2) ongoing Operations portfolio leadership. The role will initially be predominantly dedicated to the IPG program (approximately 60-80%), leading PMO and project execution controls (scope, schedule, cost, risk, change control and performance reporting). In parallel (approximately 20-40%), the role will support US R&D Operations as an engineering, project and strategy lead driving operational project planning, prioritization and portfolio execution. As the IPG program concludes, the role will transition to a primarily Operations-focused remit, owning Operations Engineering and planning strategy while maintaining strong governance and delivery discipline. As a member of the US R&D Facilities Leadership Team, the Associate Director is accountable for capital strategy, operations engineering governance and project oversight ensuring projects progress from concept through approval, execution and close-out while meeting business, regulatory, quality and operational requirements.

Relationships

This role has direct reporting line to the Head of US R&D Operations and a dotted reporting line to Head of R&D Investments (CAPEX) and will have collaborative and cross‑functional relationships/responsibilities with onsite Facilities and Lab Operations, Global R&D IPG, North America and NN Global teams. Works with Facilities team and lab operations teams, EH&S, Workplace Services and operations contract support. External relationships include those with business partners, AHJ’s and valued vendors.

Essential Functions

• Lead PMO and project controls for the IPG CAPEX program, including integrated scope, schedule, cost, risk, change control and performance reporting, supporting the Project Director
• Establish and maintain effective delivery processes (planning cadence, forecasting, issue/risk escalation, corrective actions) to ensure predictable execution
• Coordinate and integrate delivery across design, procurement, construction, commissioning and operational readiness to align dependencies, decisions and outcomes
• Drive stakeholder engagement and communications across functions and regions; prepare concise, executive‑level updates for governance and steering forums
• Support the Project Director as needed through direct/indirect leadership of CAPEX workstreams/projects, including active construction activities
• Contribute to continuous improvement of project management and controls practices, tools and templates
• Provide engineering governance and project leadership for operations‑driven initiatives (capital and non‑capital) across sites, aligned to operational strategy and long‑term infrastructure planning
• Lead early project development: define business needs, develop concepts, perform feasibility/estimate work and build business justification to enable prioritization and approvals
• Partner closely with Operations and the IPG program organization to align priorities, multi‑year capital planning and execution strategy, including operational readiness
• Manage strategic relationships with key design and construction partners (architecture, engineering, contractors/construction managers) to support safe, high‑quality, compliant delivery
• Provide engineering governance and project leadership for operations‑driven initiatives (capital and non‑capital) across sites, aligned to operational strategy and long‑term infrastructure planning
• Lead early project development: define business needs, develop concepts, perform feasibility/estimate work and build business justification to enable prioritization and approvals
• Partner closely with Operations and the IPG program organization to align priorities, multi‑year capital planning and execution strategy, including operational readiness
• Manage strategic relationships with key design and construction partners (architecture, engineering, contractors/construction managers) to support safe, high‑quality, compliant delivery
• Lead project PMO and execution controls activities of a CAPEX project
• Manage and develop the engineering teams, ensuring necessary skillsets and training
• Develop and maintain a capital project plan and execute capital projects, support capital process (IPG)
• Ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, scope and as designed
• Develop and maintain relationships with contractors, vendors, NN customer base and other stakeholders
• Provide technical expertise, strategic guidance and support to facility operations, R&D, EH&S as required
• Drive Stakeholder Management and Communication
• Manage budgets and expenses related to the engineering department and capital projects
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities, manage changing requirements & adjusted priorities

Physical Requirements

Occasionally, equipment and/or supplies weighing up to 50 pounds within the facility using various body positions. Constantly operates a computer & other office equipment using hands. Able to travel domestically & internationally as needed, up to 15% of time. Able to work in an open office environment with the possibility of frequent distraction. Role is in‑office or on‑site.

Development Of People

Supervisory. Ensure that reporting personnel have individual development plans (IDP), with annual goals and measurements that are consistent with the priorities of the business and that interim reviews are held so that their work is focused on those priorities and they understand their level of accountability for results and the measurement process. Ensure that the IDP forms include completed learning and aspiration plans and are in place for all reporting personnel to enable the achievement of goals and capability to assume increased levels of responsibility. Manage the application and communication of all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures and Novo Nordisk Way.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and 9+ years of experience or a Master's degree and 7+ years of experience is required
• Proven experience in operations leadership roles, preferably in a multi‑site environment
• Excellent communication, presentation and negotiation skills, complemented by strong leadership abilities, strategic thinking and a results‑oriented approach
• Experience in project management & process improvement methodologies, change management and driving organizational transformation
• Proven track record of delivering capital projects on time, within budget and to the required standard
• Familiarity of building codes, life safety, health and safety regulations
• Experience as owner’s rep for pharmaceutical or biotech R&D lab design & operations and lab/office space optimization preferred
• Strong leadership and team management skills, among distributed teams in a dynamic environment
• Ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities

The base compensation range for this position is $175,000 to $225,000. Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. Novo Nordisk offers long-term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position’s level or other company factors.

Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flexible vacation policy and parental leave policy.

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 defeating 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.

Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.