Associate Director - R&D External Innovation

About the Department

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. 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

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 NN 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. The role includes relevant NPI/LoB interfaces (potentially Diabetes, Obesity and related comorbidities) and focuses on understanding what is next for the pipeline, translating R&D/NPI/LoB priorities into external sourcing and scouting focus areas, shaping selected opportunities into actionable project proposals, and preparing governance-ready recommendations. The role is not of a due diligence owner; detailed diligence and transaction processes sit with the relevant assessment, SME, GBD/Search & Evaluation, and governance stakeholders.

 

Relationships

Reports to: Sr Director - Pipeline Filling & Sourcing. Works in a matrix structure with EI&A (External Innovation and Assessments), SP&I (Scientific Partnerships & Integration), NPIs, R&D LoB resources and Global business development/search and evaluation.

 

Internal stakeholders: External innovation, Pipeline Filling & Sourcing colleagues; relevant NPI/LoB stakeholders; R&D Executive Office; GBD/Search & Evaluation; Ex-ternal Innovation China where relevant; R&D SMEs; Legal; Patents/IP; Finance; P&O; Compliance; R&D EI Decision Group where applicable.

 

External stakeholders:  Biotech companies; academic groups; incubators; accelerators; platform companies; principal investigators; external scientific experts; venture/start-up ecosystem contacts and other partners relevant to sourcing, scouting and opportunity shaping.

 

Essential Functions

• 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 our partnerships team and assist in managing collaborations, ensuring alignment with Novo Nordisk's strategic goals
• Act as