Senior Director - Data Science

Novo Nordisk; Plainsboro Township (NJ); On-site; USD 181,000 - 318,000; Full time

Job summary

Novo Nordisk is seeking a director for AI and Advanced Analytics who will lead a team to develop innovative solutions enhancing business execution. This role involves collaboration with various teams within the organization and focuses on delivering measurable outcomes in healthcare analytics through advanced methodologies. Candidates should have extensive experience in analytics, deep knowledge of AI technologies, and excellent leadership skills to foster a culture of creativity and innovation.

Benefits

Flexible spending accounts

Tuition reimbursement program

Health insurance

401(k) savings plan

Time off and parental leave policies

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in relevant fields is required.
• 10+ years of experience leading analytics teams.
• Deep understanding of pharma/life sciences analytics.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a high-performing team of data scientists.
• Develop AI solutions to enhance business insights and decision-making.
• Collaborate across departments to drive analytics-driven strategies.

Skills

Leadership

Data Science

AI/ML

Advanced Analytics

Communication

Education

Master’s or Ph.D. in a quantitative field

Job description

About the Department

The Finance & Operations department brings insights and intelligence to inform decision making & drives digitalization and business solutions to attain NNI goals. Finance & Operations works closely across the organization to guide enterprise-wide resource allocations, investment choices, drive core operations and develop insights to drive growth and operational excellence across the value chain while innovating for future capabilities. Our focus on innovation ensures we're constantly building future capabilities. We're responsible for regulating accounting, upholding workplace safety, managing our supply chain and sampling, supporting technological and data innovation, maintaining our facilities and assuring the integrity and completeness of all business transactions. At Novo Nordisk, you will have the opportunity to build a life-changing career in a global business environment. We encourage our employees to make the most of their talent, and we reward hard work and dedication with opportunities for continuous learning and personal development. Are you ready to maximize your potential with us?

The Position

This role reports directly to the Vice President of Enterprise Data & Advanced Analytics (ED&AA) and serves as a key member of the Novo Nordisk US Operations (USO) AI Center of Excellence. The individual will lead and manage a team of data scientists, including AI/ML experts and statisticians, and is tasked with developing cutting-edge advanced analytics and AI solutions to deliver business insights and help drive business execution effectiveness and efficiency across the enterprise. Aside from delivering analytical insights, they will also collaborate with the rest of the AI CoE and provide input for the vision and direction of AI product deployment and governance to ensure responsible and efficient application of AI technologies.

To help drive the Center of Excellence's mission, this role will manage, mentor, and expand a high-performing organization that:

• Attracts and cultivates essential skills needed for data science and AI, ensuring the team remains at the forefront of industry advancements.
• Accelerates innovation by harnessing a diverse range of advanced analytics/AI methodologies and technologies to deliver actionable insights and propel data-driven decision-making.
• Promotes a culture of creativity and risk-taking, alongside developing processes that encourage experimentation and innovative thinking.

Relationships

The role interacts with various levels of leadership within Novo Nordisk US Operations, serving as a key advisor to the leadership teams and all levels of the business regarding advanced analytics and AI development & consumption. This leader and their team work closely with various business functions across the Novo Nordisk US Operations, including but not limited to - Commercial, Patient Services, CMR (Clinical, Medical, Regulatory), Finance, and Novo Nordisk global colleagues, to deliver data-driven insights and transformative business value. They collaborate extensively within the Enterprise Data & Advanced Analytics (ED&AA) department, as well as with Enterprise Insights, IT, and other teams to deliver and scale innovative solutions that leverage Data Science and AI capabilities. Externally, this role interacts with and manages various vendors.

Essential Functions:

Leadership and Management

• Strong business acumen; trusted advisor on Advanced Analytics/AI to Novo Nordisk US Operations business teams.
• Skilled communicator and collaborator with influence across functions.
• Active contributor to ED&AA leadership—shaping strategy, culture, and vision.
• Build and evolve the Data Science team to meet internal and market needs.
• Lead a high-performing, collaborative team environment.
• Core member of the AI Center of Excellence, guiding AI initiatives.

Analysis and Insights

• Expand AI/ML capabilities by hiring and developing top talent.
• Foster a culture of innovation and excellence for analytics professionals.
• Oversee competency models, career paths, onboarding, training, and rotations.
• Demonstrate analytics’ value in solving complex business challenges.
• Engage senior leaders to drive strategic analytics transformations.
• Partner with Data Strategy, AI Engineering, and IT teams to ensure a strong data and technology foundation.
• Lead opportunity analyses and business case development using advanced modeling.

Physical Requirements: 10-20% overnight travel required

Development Of People:

• Ensure all direct reports have Individual Development Plans (IDPs) with annual goals aligned to business priorities, including interim reviews to maintain focus and accountability.
• Confirm IDPs include completed learning and aspiration plans to support goal achievement and readiness for greater responsibility.
• Communicate and enforce all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and the Novo Nordisk Way.

Qualifications:

• Master’s or Ph.D. degree in a quantitative field (such as Mathematics, Statistics, Economics or Computer Science) with 15+ years of relevant experience.

• 10+ years leading analytics teams, especially in high-impact advanced analytics.
• Deep understanding of pharma/life sciences/healthcare analytics and applications of AI.
• Proven track record in developing advanced analytics/AI solutions to deliver measurable business outcomes in pharma/life sciences/healthcare industry.
• Skilled in mentoring, team development, and cross-functional leadership.

• Proven success in applying advanced analytics and AI to drive business decisions, especially in the areas of patient analytics, HCP engagement, and commercial campaign effectiveness measurement.
• Deep knowledge of AI/ML, Deep Learning, Generative AI (LLMs), econometrics and statistical modeling.
• Proficiency in healthcare Real-World Data (RWD), especially patient-level data.
• Experience with MLOps and ModelOps; familiar with software engineering principles.
• Strong analytical skills for large, complex datasets.

• Experienced in managing multiple teams and workstreams with strategic alignment.
• Effective in fast-paced environments with a focus on quality and documentation.
• Skilled in change management and guiding teams through transitions.

• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills with clear ability to impact and influence without authority
• Excellent at presenting complex analytics to senior stakeholders.
• Creative problem-solver with a track record of process improvement.

The base compensation range for this position is $ 181,670 to $ 317,920. 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, 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 recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

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.