Senior Program Director - Bio Innovation Hub

About the Department

 

Our Cambridge Innovation Center is an extension of our Novo Nordisk Research Center (NNRC).  We apply cutting-edge technologies to early R&D projects with the goal of bringing real change to People with Diabetes and Obesity.  Your skills, dedication and ambition will help us change lives for the better. In exchange, we’ll offer you an opportunity to work with extraordinary talent, continuously learn and develop, and drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic conditions.   The team is comprised of collaborative, diverse and passionate people who have a true sense of pride in their work and are committed to helping others grow and develop their careers. You’ll also have a platform to engage with key stakeholders on a global scale throughout the entire pipeline process. And while changing the future of diabetes and obesity treatment is no easy task, we also recognize the importance of an enjoyable workplace, which is why we’ve cultivated a culture of fun, ingenuity and innovation. And our competitive compensation package and support of a healthy work-life balance all add to a best-in-class employee experience. We are changing lives for a living. Are you ready to make a difference?

 

The Position

 

As part of the direct scientific interface to our external partners, this role is central for the success of creating a diversified external research pipeline and has the specific purpose of three key areas:

 

• Business: Cross functional program and project responsibility and framework agreements (multimillion USD budgets) and successful alliance management with Bio Innovation Hub (BIH) collaborations and partnerships, maximizing the value to Novo Nordisk
• Science: Accountable for guiding cutting-edge scientific research in the early stages of drug development, with the objective of advancing projects towards IND filing
• Collaboration & Influence: Externally and internally committed role model being anchor person of quality, improvement, and knowledge sharing overall guided by the Novo Nordisk core values (“Novo Nordisk Way”)

 

Relationships

 

• The Senior Program Director reports to the Head of the Novo Nordisk Bio Innovation Hub TRU and works closely with and takes direction from the Sr. Project Director & Team Lead.
• The holder of this role is responsible for managing a portfolio of projects that each require cross-functional teams operating across 2-3 companies, including biotech companies, venture capital firms, and academic institutions typically interacting at C-level in Joint Steering Committees.
• The role will be the interface between the Bio Innovation Hub and the greater NN organization, including engaging with colleagues in Global Drug Discovery and Research Technologies, as well as the wider R&D organization across EVP/SVP areas.

 

Essential Functions

 

• Responsible for managing an envelope of business critical complex cross-functional programs and projects. As an example, managing multiple projects under one or multiple umbrella collaboration agreements
• Impacting decisions at EVP level by shaping and executing complex programs to fit Novo Nordisk's demand for a diversified R&D pipeline where substantial innovation is required, as solutions are not always evident and outside NNs competitive areas
• Actively supporting and challenging the shaping of adaptive partnerships, as well as developing and challenging novel partnership models with the BD function to create win-win situations for all partners
• Set program and project strategy based on cross-functional knowledge and drive deliverables according to R&ED plans for novel product concepts and actively engage internal and external project teams within Novo Nordisk R&D and large-scale partnerships to execute on co-creation plans
• Actively manage alliances incl. budget responsibility (5+ million USD) with the Bio Innovation Hub’s strategic partners and collaborations, and manage and nurture existing business partnerships to maximize the value to Novo Nordisk
• Proactively engage with the core R&D organization to solve scientific challenges identified during product concept development and utilize the DK based Navigators to transfer assets, scientific challenges, and knowledge to the core research and early development organization
• Drive translational R&D plans for novel product concepts, actively engage with cross-functional Novo Nordisk R&D teams to execute on co-created R&D plans and ensure that decisions are guided by scientific and translational priorities, even when complex analysis of situations and data is required.
• Ensure identification of best practices internally and externally and facilitate continuous improvement and innovation wit