Associate Director - External Innovation

Our Research & Development organization brings together the best minds in life science innovation. The teams located in facilities in Lexington, Watertown, Cambridge and Plainsboro reflect the full R&D continuum, from early research through late-stage clinical development. Here, we are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple modalities and therapeutic areas.

About the role

The Associate Director, External Innovation is accountable for providing scientific expertise to support R&D External Innovation Partnerships and in driving an externally anchored project portfolio from sourcing of innovative opportunities, early-stage R&D partnerships and driving opportunities to decision group ensuring alignment with Novo Nordisk R&D Lines of Business (LoBs). By sourcing and assessing potential pipeline opportunities, the role ensures that Novo Nordisk can capitalize on collaborations that enhance its capabilities.

• Identify, scout, shape and mature external innovation opportunities within TAs of Novo Nordisk interest in the pipeline filling and sourcing team with NPI alignment.
• Translate R&D/NPI/LoB priorities into external sourcing and scouting focus areas, shaping selected opportunities into actionable project proposals, and preparing governance-ready recommendations.
• Focus on understanding what is next for the pipeline, including relevant NPI/LoB interfaces (potentially Diabetes, Obesity and related comorbidities).

The role is not a due diligence owner; detailed diligence and transaction processes sit with the relevant assessment, SME, GBD/Search & Evaluation, and governance stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Support ecosystem stimulation, scouting, evaluation, due diligence, and execution for external innovation opportunities for research and therapeutic discovery.
• Drive efforts to identify, assess, and integrate cutting-edge science and technology into Novo Nordisk's innovation pipeline.
• Monitor industry trends to ensure the organization maintains a competitive edge in scientific advancements.
• Recommend strategies to leverage external innovation for transformative research and drug discovery solutions.
• Prepare concise decision materials for EI&A leadership, NPI/LoB stakeholders, and relevant governance forums.
• Maintain transparency on assigned sourcing/scouting pipeline, open questions, decisions, and follow-up actions.
• Evaluate emerging technologies/platforms to support external innovation in drug discovery.
• Assess the feasibility, scalability, and impact of new technologies/platforms on R&D objectives.
• Recommend opportunities based on alignment with organizational goals and potential value creation.
• Foster and sustain strategic partnerships with external stakeholders to advance new science and technology in drug discovery.
• Nurture relationships with VCs, incubators, start-ups, and technology providers.
• Work with the partnerships team and assist in managing collaborations, ensuring alignment with Novo Nordisk's strategic goals.
• Act as a liaison to foster trust and mutual understanding between external partners and internal teams.
• Translate advancements into actionable business solutions for drug discovery.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to adapt innovation for practical applications in R&D.
• Contribute to developing frameworks to measure the impact and success of potential partnerships/acquisitions.
• Support that scientific advancements are effectively communicated and translated into value-driven outcomes.
• Collaborate with internal teams and the R&D External Innovation team to align on recommendations for evaluation and external partnership opportunities.
• Partner with NPIs and internal stakeholders to ensure external innovation efforts complement existing projects and priorities.
• Share knowledge of external insights into internal processes.
• Align recommendations with internal teams and the R&D EI team to ensure cohesive decision-making on partnerships.
• Identify R&D LoB needs and gaps to help prioritize EI focus areas.
• Analyze R&D Line of Business (LoB) requirements to identify unmet needs and gaps.
• Collaborate with internal teams and NPIs to define priorities for innovation adoption.
• Provide insights to guide strategic planning and resource allocation for addressing identified gaps.
• Scout for external opportunities to support pipeline needs.
• Conduct systematic scouting for external innovations that align with pipeline requirements.
• Evaluate potential opportunities for their ability to address specific organizational challenges.
• Maintain a database of promising external opportunities for future consideration.
• Build and maintain an external network in scientific expertise area.
• Develop and maintain a robust network of experts, innovators, and organizations in scientific expertise area.
• Participate in industry events and forums to strengthen Novo Nordisk's presence in the innovation ecosystem.
• Leverage the external network to identify collaboration opportunities and gain early access to emerging technologies.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders across departments to align external innovation initiatives with organizational goals.
• Act as a liaison with external partners, VCs, and scientific institutions.
• Represent Novo Nordisk in early scientific or strategic partner discussions related to assigned opportunities, in coordination with EI&A leadership, NPI/LoB stakeholders, and GBD/Search & Evaluation.
• Represent Novo Nordisk in external forums, conferences, and partnership discussions, showcasing the company’s commitment to scientific and business advancements.

Qualifications

• PhD and 5+ years of experience, OR MD/DO and 1+ years of experience preferred. Equivalent experience requirements may be considered.
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and 9+ years of experience or a Master's degree and 7+ years of experience.
• Experience in pharmaceutical R&D, external innovation, sourcing/scouting, strategic partnerships, scientific project shaping, portfolio strategy, business development support, or early collaboration development.
• Strong understanding of early R&D, NPI/LoB priorities, portfolio gaps, and how external opportunities can contribute to future pipeline needs.
• Experience translating scientific or portfolio needs into sourcing themes, opportunity briefs, project plans, collaboration proposals, or governance-ready recommendations.
• Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders across R&D, GBD/Search & Evaluation, Legal, Finance, IP, and scientific/technical SMEs.
• Experience preparing senior-level materials, including opportunity summaries, project plans, risk/mitigation views, budget/resource implications, and decision asks.
• High degree of personal motivation and proactivity, able to influence without authority, and operate comfortably in ambiguity.
• Ability to spot emerging trends and external innovation opportunities.
• Analytical skills for conducting cost-benefit analyses.
• Experience interacting with external partners, biotech companies, academic groups, incubators, accelerators, or external scientific experts during sourcing/scouting or opportunity shaping.
• Experience developing or improving sourcing/scouting playbooks, NPI interface models, templates, operating models, or governance processes is an advantage.
• Strategic and structured, with strong ability to translate ambiguity into clear next steps.
• Strong external orientation and ability to spot relevant opportunities aligned to R&D needs.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to align across NPI/LoB, EI&A, and enabling functions.
• Clear written and verbal communication, including concise executive-level materials.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Life insurance and disability insurance.
• 401(k) savings plan and flexible spending accounts.
• Employee assistance program and tuition reimbursement program.
• Voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance, and auto/home insurance.
• Time off pursuant to sick time policy, flexible vacation policy, and parental leave policy.

Pay

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

Schedule

Less than 10% overnight domestic and international travel required.