Director, Search & Evaluation

Novo Nordisk; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 187,000 - 328,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Long-term incentives

Company vehicles

Job summary

Novo Cambridge, the headquarters for Global Business Development, seeks a senior leader to drive external drug opportunities and partnerships across therapeutic areas. Based in Cambridge, MA, you will lead evaluation, licensing negotiations, and cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Commercial and external stakeholders.

The role requires a Master’s degree (MD/ PhD preferred) and 12+ years (or 10+ with MD/PhD) of relevant experience, with a strong network in biotech and VC communities.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business or life science required; MD or PhD degree preferred.
• 12+ years' relevant experience with a Master’s degree; 10+ years’ with an MD/PhD.
• Experience in consultancy, M&A, or in-house corporate development or R&D role.
• Business development and licensing experience in pharma preferred.
• Proven track record of project management.

Responsibilities

• Identify pipeline assets and enabling technologies.
• Lead in-depth evaluation and due diligence.
• Support BD during license and collaboration negotiations.
• Collaborate across R&D to Commercial to align priorities.
• Build and maintain BD opportunity landscapes.
• Provide input to BD priorities and therapy area strategies.
• Establish Novo as the preferred partner in its therapy areas.
• Engage with external stakeholders including biotech, VC and large-cap pharma.
• Attend partnering events and scientific conferences.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Project management

Networking

Communication skills

Business acumen

Education

Master’s degree in business or life science

MD or PhD degree

Job description

About The Department

The Novo 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 and venture capitalists 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

About The Department

The Novo 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 and venture capitalists 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

Global Business Development (GBD) 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 and venture capitalists 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 & Intelligence (SE&I) is part of GBD and acts as the primary entry point for external drug and technology opportunities relevant to Novo.

Relationships

The position is part of the global SE&I evaluation team with members located predominantly in Denmark and Cambridge, MA, US. Reports to the Head of Global Evaluation. The role will interact cross-functionally with stakeholders from the entire value chain while working in close collaboration with Novo’s Business Development teams located in Denmark and Cambridge. This position will also leverage their networks and actively engage with external stakeholders including biotech companies, venture capital firms and large-cap pharma communities. The role has no direct or indirect reports.

Essential Functions

• Identify novel pipeline assets and enabling technologies
• Lead in-depth evaluation and due diligence process
• Provide support to Business Development during negotiation of licenses and collaborations in alignment with SE&I
• Work cross-organizationally with stakeholders from R&D to Commercial and beyond to ensure alignment
• Build and maintain BD opportunity landscapes
• Continuously provide input to BD priorities and Therapy area strategies
• Establish Novo as the preferred partner within relevant therapy areas
• Actively engage with external stakeholders particularly venture capital, biotech companies and other large-cap pharma
• Participate in partnering events, scientific conferences and other relevant networking events

Physical Requirements

10-20% overnight travel required; May require international travel.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in business or life science is required; MD or PhD degree preferred
• 12+ years' relevant experience with a Master’s degree; 10+ years’ relevant experience with a MD or PhD. Relevant experience includes prior experience in a consultancy, M&A house, in-house corporate development role or equivalent R&D role
• Relevant experience includes:
• Building extensive professional network in biotech and VC communities particularly related to metabolic diseases
• Research and medical training, preferably in a relevant medical field
• Business development and licensing experience covering aspects of pharmaceutical drug discovery and development preferred
• Proven track record of project management
• Ability to manage ambiguity and manage and be ready for change
• Ability to analyse and digest complex ideas and data to make clear and qualified recommendations to senior stakeholders
• Strong communication skills, both in written and presentation form
• Outgoing with superb networking, collaboration and stakeholder management skills
• Self-driven, solution-focused and goal-oriented who functions well in a dynamic environment
• Strong strategic business and financial acumen coupled with deep interest and curiosity about life sciences and medicine

The base compensation range for this position is $187,100 to $327,500. 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 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, 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, 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 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.

If you are interested in applying to Novo and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.