Senior Counsel

Novo Nordisk; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 153,000 - 267,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) plan

Flexible spending accounts

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Novo Nordisk is seeking a Senior Counsel in Cambridge, MA to provide strategic legal support to Global Business Development, drafting and negotiating diverse agreements, and partnering with BD, Global R&D, and finance teams. The role requires a J.D.

and substantial life sciences experience, with international collaboration across regions. You will lead transactions from term sheets through closing, supervise outside counsel, and contribute to global legal initiatives.

Qualifications

• J.D. law degree from a recognized university is required.
• State bar admission is required.
• Experience providing legal advice to life sciences/healthcare/pharmaceutical industry preferred.
• Experience drafting and negotiating life sciences/pharmaceutical agreements preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Advise on and manage critical legal issues across BD, R&D, Patents, Finance and other functions.
• Identify risks and mitigation actions across legal and business teams.
• Manage outside counsel relationships and drive cross-functional collaboration.

Skills

Strong communications

Interpersonal skills

International mindset

Work ethic

Business judgment

Ability to work under pressure

Independent work

Can-do attitude

Education

J.D. Law degree

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

The Senior Counsel provides legal advice and support to Global Business Development. The work focuses on drafting and negotiating various types of key strategic agreements for Novo Nordisk such as research and development collaborations and partnerships, license agreements, M&A agreements, equity investments and support on various transactional intellectual property matters. The Senior Counsel engages with a diverse range of stakeholders within the business and across Global Legal. This role will work closely with Business Development, Global R&D teams located in Denmark and Massachusetts, as well as other Novo Nordisk functions in Denmark and globally. As part of the Global Legal organization, this position is also involved with cross-functional global legal projects and has opportunities, both in the United States and abroad, for further professional development.

The Senior Counsel serves as a strategic legal partner to Global Business Development, helping shape and execute transactions that advance Novo Nordisk’s external innovation and growth objectives. Acting as the lead attorney on transactions, the Senior Counsel takes ownership of the legal work from initial assessment and term sheet through due diligence, negotiation, signing and closing. The role combines hands‑on drafting and negotiation with advice on transaction structures, business terms and risk allocation. The Senior Counsel is expected to understand the commercial and scientific objectives for the transactions, exercise sound judgment and provide clear recommendations that enable informed business decisions.

A strong project ownership mindset is important. The Senior Counsel coordinates legal workstreams, brings together specialist expertise, anticipates obstacles and drives issues to resolution within transaction timelines. The role also directs external counsel, taking responsibility for the scope, quality, timeliness of their work. The Senior Counsel also contributes to shared transaction knowledge, templates and best practices that strengthen the team’s effectiveness. The position offers exposure to strategically important global transactions, cross-functional legal initiatives and opportunities for international collaboration and professional development.

Relationships

The position reports to the Associate Vice President, Legal Business Development & Competition Law, based in Denmark, and is a key member of a collaborative, high-performing team located at Novo Nordisk’s headquarters in Denmark and in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Senior Counsel works closely with Business Development and R&D colleagues in Cambridge and Denmark, as well as colleagues across R&D, Finance, Tax, Commercial and Global Legal, including intellectual property and other legal specialists. The role builds productive relationships with external counsel and counterparties and requires the ability to influence across functions, communicate complex issues clearly and align stakeholders around practical solutions. Novo Nordisk’s Global Legal organization has more than 250 global legal colleagues situated at 40+ locations around the world.

Essential Functions

• Advise on and manage critical legal issues and work closely with other Novo Nordisk functions such as BD, R&D, Patents, Finance


• Proactively identify risks, opportunities and mitigating actions and collaborate across legal and business functions


• Manages outside counsel relationships

Physical Requirements

0-10% overnight travel required. This position is onsite in Cambridge, MA.

Qualifications

• A J.D. Law degree from a recognized university and state bar admission required


• 6+ years relevant legal experience from a major law firm or in-house legal department required


• Relevant experience providing legal advice to the life sciences/within the healthcare/pharmaceutical industry is preferred


• Experience in drafting and negotiating life sciences/pharmaceutical industry agreements preferred


• Strong communications and interpersonal skills with the ability to interact effectively with all levels of the organization


• Has personal drive, "can-do" approach and results-oriented attitude, which enables you to establish strong professional relations internally and externally


• International mind-set and enjoy being part of a global work environment


• Strong work ethic and business judgement and ability to access risk and think strategically


• Ability to work under pressure, manage numerous and changing priorities effectively and solid attention to detail


• Ability to work independently as well as in a team environment

The base compensation range for this position is $152,700K to $267,300K. 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.

• Medical, dental and vision coverage


• Life insurance


• Disability insurance


• 401(k) savings plan


• Flexible spending accounts


• Employee assistance program


• Tuition reimbursement program


• Voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance


• Time off pursuant to its sick time policy


• Flexible 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.

If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk 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.