R&D External Innovation Sourcing Project Director
Novo Nordisk
September 03, 2026
Remote friendly (Cambridge, MA)
United States
Operations
Role Responsibilities:
- Identify, scout, shape, and mature external innovation opportunities from early ecosystem stimulation and asset/platform partnerships through commercial partnerships and governance milestone/gate decisions; ensure integration into Novo Nordisk R&D Lines of Business (LoBs).
- Stimulate regional/local innovation ecosystems (foundations, think tanks, startups) and build early strategic partnerships.
- Secure inflow channels; ideate and prioritize product concept ideas with partners; develop collaboration frameworks.
- Drive development of R&D plans for novel product concepts and activate project teams to deliver IND-ready assets or implemented technologies.
- Source and deliver a portfolio of 3–5 new research projects from ideation to IND-ready assets/implemented technologies; ensure handover to SP&I or LoB at signature.
- Manage cross-functional projects prior to signature; define next-step plans (scope, deliverables, milestones, decisions, budget/FTE, ownership) and ensure resource allocation/interface with global R&D and NPI teams.
- Represent Novo Nordisk in joint steering committees; guide decisions using scientific/translational priorities.
- Translate NPI/LoB needs into sourcing themes, scouting briefs, partner-selection criteria, and initial collaboration hypotheses.
- Develop and present external concept proposals; prepare one-pagers, pre-proposals, full proposals, project plans, and governance materials.
Qualifications (Required/Preferred):
- Master’s degree + 9+ years experience (PhD + 7+; MD/DO + 3+).
- Pharmaceutical drug development experience; ideally transformational molecules from discovery to market or transformational technologies to implementation.
- Leadership/people management experience; manage multiple projects in a rapidly evolving environment.
- Deep NN disease space and drug discovery & development knowledge; strong translational scientific strategy.
- Experience translating portfolio needs into sourcing themes, briefs, plans, proposals, or governance-ready recommendations.
- Cross-functional experience (R&D, GBD/Search & Evaluation, Legal, Finance, IP, SMEs); matrix influence without direct authority.
- Proven experience managing external R&D projects/partnership budgets using varied partnership models (ideally global footprint).
- Strong networking and communication; fluent English.
Travel: 10–20% overnight domestic/international.
Benefits (as stated): Base pay $187,100–$327,500; bonus eligibility; medical/dental/vision, life/disability, 401(k), flexible spending, EAP, tuition reimbursement, and voluntary benefits; flex vacation, parental leave.
Application Instructions: If you need accommodation to apply, call 1-855-411-5290 (accommodation requests only).
- Identify, scout, shape, and mature external innovation opportunities from early ecosystem stimulation and asset/platform partnerships through commercial partnerships and governance milestone/gate decisions; ensure integration into Novo Nordisk R&D Lines of Business (LoBs).
- Stimulate regional/local innovation ecosystems (foundations, think tanks, startups) and build early strategic partnerships.
- Secure inflow channels; ideate and prioritize product concept ideas with partners; develop collaboration frameworks.
- Drive development of R&D plans for novel product concepts and activate project teams to deliver IND-ready assets or implemented technologies.
- Source and deliver a portfolio of 3–5 new research projects from ideation to IND-ready assets/implemented technologies; ensure handover to SP&I or LoB at signature.
- Manage cross-functional projects prior to signature; define next-step plans (scope, deliverables, milestones, decisions, budget/FTE, ownership) and ensure resource allocation/interface with global R&D and NPI teams.
- Represent Novo Nordisk in joint steering committees; guide decisions using scientific/translational priorities.
- Translate NPI/LoB needs into sourcing themes, scouting briefs, partner-selection criteria, and initial collaboration hypotheses.
- Develop and present external concept proposals; prepare one-pagers, pre-proposals, full proposals, project plans, and governance materials.
Qualifications (Required/Preferred):
- Master’s degree + 9+ years experience (PhD + 7+; MD/DO + 3+).
- Pharmaceutical drug development experience; ideally transformational molecules from discovery to market or transformational technologies to implementation.
- Leadership/people management experience; manage multiple projects in a rapidly evolving environment.
- Deep NN disease space and drug discovery & development knowledge; strong translational scientific strategy.
- Experience translating portfolio needs into sourcing themes, briefs, plans, proposals, or governance-ready recommendations.
- Cross-functional experience (R&D, GBD/Search & Evaluation, Legal, Finance, IP, SMEs); matrix influence without direct authority.
- Proven experience managing external R&D projects/partnership budgets using varied partnership models (ideally global footprint).
- Strong networking and communication; fluent English.
Travel: 10–20% overnight domestic/international.
Benefits (as stated): Base pay $187,100–$327,500; bonus eligibility; medical/dental/vision, life/disability, 401(k), flexible spending, EAP, tuition reimbursement, and voluntary benefits; flex vacation, parental leave.
Application Instructions: If you need accommodation to apply, call 1-855-411-5290 (accommodation requests only).