Senior Director, Global R&D External Innovation & Pipeline Filling and Sourcing
BioSpace, Cambridge, MA, United States
About The Department
Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge, and Plainsboro reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late‑stage clinical development. We build for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting‑edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. Our R&D hub merges biotech speed and agility with large pharmaceutical company quality, resources, and stability, uniting the best of both worlds to develop new medicines for patients.
The Position Reports to the Associate Vice President of External Innovation & Assessments. The Senior Director, Global R&D External Innovation & Pipeline Filling and Sourcing is responsible for identifying, assessing, and establishing pre‑G1 and technology‑focused partnerships that strengthen Novo Nordisk’s R&D pipeline. This includes collaborating with external companies to deliver direct pipeline impact and creating engagement models to capture early innovation and breakthrough science from start‑ups, venture partners, and incubators. The role drives partnerships that can help meet our product development targets, with projects expected to contribute 20‑30% of the preclinical pipeline.
Responsibilities
Lead a global team of Innovation Leads in the US, UK, and China who source, assess, and establish strategic collaboration agreements to fill the pipeline.
Directly manage a people leader in China to coordinate external innovation activities across the country.
Act as the interface between R&D External Innovation and other Global Research and Therapeutics Discovery organizations in Europe, China, and the US.
Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders including Global Research, Therapeutics Discovery, Medical and Translational Science, senior R&D management, Corporate Patents, and Global Business Development.
Engage external partners such as biopharma companies, venture capital firms, universities, and investigators to develop a diversified external research pipeline.
Secure idea inflow, prioritize new ideas, and implement the R&D plan with scientific expertise.
Foster a high‑performing team culture across Denmark, the US, and China in accordance with the Novo Nordisk way.
Hire scientific/technical experts in biology, technology, medicinal chemistry, and translational medicine.
Drive the innovation agenda, challenge existing processes, and pursue higher performance.
Develop and maintain relationships with global biopharma companies, academic institutions, and venture partners to stay ahead of emerging opportunities.
Provide expert insights to executive leadership on pipeline gaps and recommend high‑impact opportunities.
Source, assess, and establish collaborations contributing 20‑30% of the preclinical pipeline, targeting 5 G0s per year and 2 G1s.
Secure inflow channels across the innovation ecosystem, ideate and prioritize product concept ideas with partners, and develop collaboration frameworks.
Recommend and negotiate strategies, plans, and budgets for new initiatives.
Represent the company at relevant meetings and events, positioning the organization as a preferred partner in therapeutic innovation.
Operate sourcing activities across the US, Europe, and China.
Lead the scientific agenda for pre‑G1 partner engagements; final deal terms and approvals rest with the EI Decision Group/Deal Group.
Physical Requirements 20‑30% domestic and international travel required. Based in Cambridge, MA with travel to Denmark and China.
Development of People Supervisory role; ensures reporting personnel have individual development plans with annual goals, interim reviews, learning and aspiration plans, and alignment with business priorities. Manages application and communication of Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and the Novo Nordisk Way.
Qualifications
MS degree with 14+ years of relevant experience or M.D./Ph.D. with 11+ years of relevant experience.
Minimum of 15 years of experience in R&D, External Innovation, or BD.
Demonstrated leadership or people‑management experience in industry, biotech, or academic research environments.
Track record of effectively managing multiple projects or roles in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
Adeptness in navigating scientific domains with high uncertainty, rapidly assimilating new knowledge.
Comprehensive scientific knowledge within metabolic disease or drug discovery and technology development.
Robust understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and ability to formulate and implement scientific strategies.
Solid scientific and business acumen across R&D, with desirable experience in pre‑clinical drug development.
Experience executing and managing R&D projects with external partners, using varied partnership models, ideally on a global scale.
Experience working in cross‑functional matrixed teams, orchestrating mutually beneficial solutions in complex stakeholder landscapes.
Exceptional collaboration capabilities, both internally and externally.
Excellent communication and leadership skills, able to influence senior management and stakeholders.
Compensation and Benefits Base compensation range: $229,200 to $401,100. Eligible for company bonus, long‑term incentive compensation, or company vehicles.
Employees are eligible to participate in company benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k) savings plan, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance, auto/home insurance. The company also offers time off under sick time, flexible vacation, and parental leave policies.
EEO Statement We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all applicants. 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.
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The Position Reports to the Associate Vice President of External Innovation & Assessments. The Senior Director, Global R&D External Innovation & Pipeline Filling and Sourcing is responsible for identifying, assessing, and establishing pre‑G1 and technology‑focused partnerships that strengthen Novo Nordisk’s R&D pipeline. This includes collaborating with external companies to deliver direct pipeline impact and creating engagement models to capture early innovation and breakthrough science from start‑ups, venture partners, and incubators. The role drives partnerships that can help meet our product development targets, with projects expected to contribute 20‑30% of the preclinical pipeline.
Responsibilities
Lead a global team of Innovation Leads in the US, UK, and China who source, assess, and establish strategic collaboration agreements to fill the pipeline.
Directly manage a people leader in China to coordinate external innovation activities across the country.
Act as the interface between R&D External Innovation and other Global Research and Therapeutics Discovery organizations in Europe, China, and the US.
Build and maintain relationships with internal stakeholders including Global Research, Therapeutics Discovery, Medical and Translational Science, senior R&D management, Corporate Patents, and Global Business Development.
Engage external partners such as biopharma companies, venture capital firms, universities, and investigators to develop a diversified external research pipeline.
Secure idea inflow, prioritize new ideas, and implement the R&D plan with scientific expertise.
Foster a high‑performing team culture across Denmark, the US, and China in accordance with the Novo Nordisk way.
Hire scientific/technical experts in biology, technology, medicinal chemistry, and translational medicine.
Drive the innovation agenda, challenge existing processes, and pursue higher performance.
Develop and maintain relationships with global biopharma companies, academic institutions, and venture partners to stay ahead of emerging opportunities.
Provide expert insights to executive leadership on pipeline gaps and recommend high‑impact opportunities.
Source, assess, and establish collaborations contributing 20‑30% of the preclinical pipeline, targeting 5 G0s per year and 2 G1s.
Secure inflow channels across the innovation ecosystem, ideate and prioritize product concept ideas with partners, and develop collaboration frameworks.
Recommend and negotiate strategies, plans, and budgets for new initiatives.
Represent the company at relevant meetings and events, positioning the organization as a preferred partner in therapeutic innovation.
Operate sourcing activities across the US, Europe, and China.
Lead the scientific agenda for pre‑G1 partner engagements; final deal terms and approvals rest with the EI Decision Group/Deal Group.
Physical Requirements 20‑30% domestic and international travel required. Based in Cambridge, MA with travel to Denmark and China.
Development of People Supervisory role; ensures reporting personnel have individual development plans with annual goals, interim reviews, learning and aspiration plans, and alignment with business priorities. Manages application and communication of Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and the Novo Nordisk Way.
Qualifications
MS degree with 14+ years of relevant experience or M.D./Ph.D. with 11+ years of relevant experience.
Minimum of 15 years of experience in R&D, External Innovation, or BD.
Demonstrated leadership or people‑management experience in industry, biotech, or academic research environments.
Track record of effectively managing multiple projects or roles in a dynamic, fast‑paced environment.
Adeptness in navigating scientific domains with high uncertainty, rapidly assimilating new knowledge.
Comprehensive scientific knowledge within metabolic disease or drug discovery and technology development.
Robust understanding of the pharmaceutical industry and ability to formulate and implement scientific strategies.
Solid scientific and business acumen across R&D, with desirable experience in pre‑clinical drug development.
Experience executing and managing R&D projects with external partners, using varied partnership models, ideally on a global scale.
Experience working in cross‑functional matrixed teams, orchestrating mutually beneficial solutions in complex stakeholder landscapes.
Exceptional collaboration capabilities, both internally and externally.
Excellent communication and leadership skills, able to influence senior management and stakeholders.
Compensation and Benefits Base compensation range: $229,200 to $401,100. Eligible for company bonus, long‑term incentive compensation, or company vehicles.
Employees are eligible to participate in company benefit programs: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k) savings plan, flexible spending accounts, employee assistance program, tuition reimbursement, group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance, auto/home insurance. The company also offers time off under sick time, flexible vacation, and parental leave policies.
EEO Statement We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all applicants. 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.
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