Associate Director, Global Search & Evaluation

Novo Nordisk A/S; Cambridge (MA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental and vision coverage

Life insurance

401(k) savings plan

Job summary

Novo Nordisk is seeking an Associate Director for Global Search & Evaluation in Cambridge, MA. This role drives scouting for external drug and technology opportunities, building networks with universities, biotech firms and investors, and shaping strategic partnerships across global teams.

The position reports to the Head of Regional Scouts and requires a Master’s in business or life sciences (medical degree preferred) with 8+ years in BD/R&D; a proven track record in licensing, stakeholder

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business or life sciences is required.
• 8+ years of consultancy, R&D business development or equivalent experience.
• Research, medical training and experience in metabolic space preferred.
• Proven track-record of project management, search and evaluation, BD or equivalent.
• Ability to network across pharma/biotech ecosystems including VC communities.
• Experience in business development and licensing; pharma drug discovery and development.
• Ability to identify opportunities not previously identified for various therapeutic areas.
• Proven record of stakeholder management towards senior external parties.
• Ability to link innovation, science and strategy; strong communication skills.
• Outgoing, analytical and a good communicator in a dynamic environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead scouting activities by identifying early and academic opportunities and engagement models.
• Build and maintain networks across pharma/biotech ecosystems with universities and investors.
• Share Novo Nordisk priorities with external stakeholders.
• Arrange and participate in university- or Novo Nordisk-sponsored events and congresses.
• Meet biotech and investors at partnering events and communicate priorities to accelerators and incubators.
• Engage VC firms and participate in VC conferences and events.
• Scout opportunities through networks, literature and patent searches; track per internal procedures.
• Report scouting results and assist in initial evaluation with global S&E teams.
• Support due diligence and negotiations for licenses, collaborations, and feasibility studies.
• Present opportunities to therapy-area delegates and governance boards as needed.

Skills

Networking

Project management

Business development

Licensing

Stakeholder management

Communication

Analytical

Opportunity identification

Education

Master’s degree in business or life sciences

Medical degree preferred

Job description

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Associate Director, Global Search & Evaluation

Facility: Business Development & Strategy

Location: Cambridge, MA, US

About the Department

The Novo Nordisk Cambridge location is the headquarters for Global Business Development across all of our therapeutic and technology areas. We contribute to innovation in one of the world's largest life sciences ecosystems by participating in events and discussions with renowned and upcoming scientists looking for the next scientific breakthrough to bring transformative treatments to patients. We work with start-ups, established companies, venture capitalists, teaching hospitals, and academic institutions to support the development of innovation for mutual benefit, and to help patients in all of our current therapy areas. Through a variety of partnership models, we accelerate ideas from the lab and clinic to advance and expand our product portfolio and to improve outcomes for the patients we serve

The Position

Corporate Development contributes to innovation in one of the world's largest life sciences ecosystems by participating in events and discussions with renowned and upcoming scientists–looking for the next scientific breakthrough to bring transformative treatments to patients. We work with start-ups, established companies, venture capitalists, teaching hospitals and academic institutions to support the development of innovation for mutual benefit and to help patients in all of our current therapy areas. Through a variety of partnership models, we accelerate ideas from the lab and clinic to advance and expand our product portfolio and to improve outcomes for the patients we serve. Search & Evaluation (S&E) is part of Corporate Development and acts as the primary entry point for external drug and technology opportunities relevant to Novo Nordisk at Global Drug Discovery, Global Technology Research, Global Development and Corporate level. S&E conducts pro-active scouting campaigns to identify relevant opportunities by targeting universities, biotechnology companies and venture capital firms, by means of partnering events, road shows and commissioned meetings or events.

The search for novel therapeutics focuses on our core areas: diabetes, obesity, as well as MASH, CVD CKD and rare blood and endocrine disorders. Besides our therapeutic areas of interest, S&E supports the identification of cutting-edge enabling technologies within oligonucleotides, protein and peptide engineering and gene editing/therapy. Working cross-functionally, S&E supports the assessment of such external opportunities all the way to due diligence and contractual negotiation. The role is a driver for change in executing Novo Nordisk's strategy and business development activities on a global scale and has the following responsibilities: Identification of novel pipeline assets and enabling technologies. Strategic overview of internal, as well as BD, pipeline assets. Evaluation of novel pipeline assets and enabling technologies.

Relationships

The position is part of the global S&E team with members located predominantly in Denmark and Cambridge, MA, US. The role reports to the Head of Regional Scouts. This position will build networks and actively engage with external stakeholders including biotech companies, venture capital firms and large-cap pharma communities, to ensure that Novo Nordisk becomes the preferred partner within our areas of interest. The role has no direct or indirect reports.

Essential Functions

• Lead scouting activities by independently identifying early and academic opportunities and engagement models to expand and transform Novo Nordisk’s pipeline
• Assists in building and maintaining professional networks across the pharma/biotech ecosystem including within academic, biotech, venture capital (VC)/investors and pharma communities by contacting and meeting with university technology transfer/licensing offices, key opinion leaders and university researchers
• Proactively share and describe Novo Nordisk business development and scouting priorities to external stakeholders
• Assist in arranging and participate in university- or Novo Nordisk-sponsored events and meetings and participate in external scientific congresses or symposia
• Meet biotech, pharma companies and investors at biotech/pharma/investors partnering events; visit and share Novo Nordisk business development and scouting priorities to accelerators, incubators and the like
• Meet VC firms and participate in VC conferences and events
• Systematically scout for opportunities through professional networks, literature searches, databases and patent searches within relevant therapy areas; track and report opportunities according to established internal procedures
• Systematically report scouting and assist in the initial evaluation of identified opportunities in close collaboration with the S&E evaluator teams and other relevant stakeholders globally
• Occasionally supports the further evaluation process according to established procedures up to and including due diligence occasionally to secure proposed collaborations and licenses for products and technology opportunities
• Presents opportunities to therapy area delegates and may support the presentation of selected opportunities to relevant governance boards by providing additional data and information as needed
• Assists in providing support to transaction colleagues during negotiation of licenses, collaborations agreements, sponsored research agreements and feasibility studies

Physical Requirements

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business or life sciences is required; a medical degree is preferred
• 8+ years of experience in a consultancy, R&D Business development, or equivalent role
• Research, medical training and experience are preferably within the metabolic space
• Proven track‑record of project management, search and evaluation, business development or an equivalent role in R&D
• Ability to network across the pharma/biotech ecosystem including VC/investor communities, particularly related to (insert specific TAs here)
• Experience in business development and licensing, covering aspects of pharmaceutical drug discovery and development
• Ability to identify opportunities not previously identified for various therapeutic areas leading to collaboration
• Proven record of strong stakeholder management towards senior stakeholders and external parties and networking skills
• Ability to link innovation, science and strategy, as well as the ability to communicate issues
• Outgoing, analytical and a good communicator who functions well in a dynamic environment

The base compensation range for this position is $160,000 to $250,000. 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
• Group legal
• Critical illness
• Identity theft protection
• Pet insurance
• Auto/home insurance

The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy and parental leave policy.

• Sick time policy
• Flex‑able vacation policy
• 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.