Director of Business Development

Initial Therapeutics, Inc.; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 187,000 - 279,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) savings plan

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance program

Tuition reimbursement program

Voluntary benefits such as group legal

Job summary

Novo Nordisk Cambridge is seeking a Director of Business Development to lead cross-functional evaluations and negotiations across therapeutic areas, partnering with legal, finance, commercial, clinical and scientific teams. You will report to the Senior Director, Business Development and work within a matrix organization.

This role drives deal identification and diligence, shapes strategic investment choices, and supports the expansion of Novo Nordisk's portfolio, with 5–10% overnight travel as

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• Experience in pharmaceutical/biotech deals and partnerships.
• Proven record of presenting to senior management on opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional evaluations of therapeutic programs from preclinical to clinical stages.
• Negotiate and structure business transactions with external partners.
• Partner with legal, finance, and R&D teams to drive diligence and strategic decisions.
• Present insights and recommendations to senior management for go/no-go decisions.
• Support strategy planning for financial investments and portfolio prioritization.

Skills

Deal negotiation

Due diligence

Cross-functional collaboration

Financial evaluation

Executive presentation

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

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.

Relationships

The Director of Business Development is a member of the global transactions group and reports to the Senior Director, Business Development. The Director works with colleagues through a matrix organization. Key stakeholders include members of executive management and global members of management in Research and Development and Commercial organizations. External collaborators include, industry peers and executives, and academic researchers. External collaborators include, industry peers and executives, and academic researchers.

Essential Functions

• Partners with Search & Evaluation team and the therapeutic area heads to improve identification of deals of interest and drive diligence to quickly come to “go” or “no go” decisions
• Leads cross-functional evaluations of all aspects of therapeutic drug programs from preclinical through clinical stages across the relevant assessment areas: proposed clinical benefit, mechanism, preclinical data, manufacturing, regulatory strategy, clinical development path, intellectual property and commercial potential
• Participates in and, ideally leads negotiations in business transactions
• Works effectively with legal, finance, commercial, clinical and scientific teams and make business development proposals to senior management
• Considers broad corporate priorities and participate in strategy planning for financial investment trade-off decisions required

Physical Requirements

5-10% overnight travel required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferredExperience Level: 8+ years of relevant experience required.
• Experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology organizations preferred.
• Advanced degree may be substituted for experience as appropriate
• Demonstrated record of presenting to senior management of partnership opportunities
• Demonstrated ability to build rapport with therapeutic and functional area leader
• Strong analytical skills required to provide sound inputs into financial evaluations
• Strong presentation skills
• Proven ability to lead all elements of due diligence and deal negotiation
• Ability to identify and prioritize risks across functional areas, weigh those appropriately with benefits of investment, and effectively frame business decisions for senior management
• Ability to successfully navigate internal dynamics, experience working in a matrix organization preferred

The base compensation range for this position is $187,000 to $279,000. 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.

• 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, flex-able 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.