Associate Director, Global Search & Evaluation
- Employer
- Novo Nordisk
- Location
- Cambridge, MA
- Posted date
- Oct 15, 2026
View more categories
- Discipline
- Administration, Sales & Services, Science/R&D, Business Development, Project Management
- Required Education
- Bachelors Degree
- Position Type
- Full time
- Hotbed
- Genetown
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Job Details
About the Department
The Novo Nordisk Cambridge location is the headquarters for Global Business Development across all of our therapeutic and technology areas. We contribute to innovation in one of the world's largest life sciences ecosystems by participating in events and discussions with renowned and upcoming scientists looking for the next scientific breakthrough to bring transformative treatments to patients. We work with start-ups, established companies, venture capitalists, teaching hospitals, and academic institutions to support the development of innovation for mutual benefit, and to help patients in all of our current therapy areas. Through a variety of partnership models, we accelerate ideas from the lab and clinic to advance and expand our product portfolio and to improve outcomes for the patients we serve
The Position
Corporate Development contributes to innovation in one of the world's largest life sciences ecosystems by participating in events and discussions with renowned and upcoming scientists–looking for the next scientific breakthrough to bring transformative treatments to patients. We work with start-ups, established companies, venture capitalists, teaching hospitals and academic institutions to support the development of innovation for mutual benefit and to help patients in all of our current therapy areas. Through a variety of partnership models, we accelerate ideas from the lab and clinic to advance and expand our product portfolio and to improve outcomes for the patients we serve. Search & Evaluation (S&E) is part of Corporate Development and acts as the primary entry point for external drug and technology opportunities relevant to Novo Nordisk at Global Drug Discovery, Global Technology Research, Global Development and Corporate level. S&E conducts pro-active scouting campaigns to identify relevant opportunities by targeting universities, biotechnology companies and venture capital firms, by means of partnering events, road shows and commissioned meetings or events.
The search for novel therapeutics focuses on our core areas: diabetes, obesity, as well as MASH, CVD CKD and rare blood and endocrine disorders. Besides our therapeutic areas of interest, S&E supports the identification of cutting-edge enabling technologies within oligonucleotides, protein and peptide engineering and gene editing/therapy. Working cross-functionally, S&E supports the assessment of such external opportunities all the way to due diligence and contractual negotiation. The role is a driver for change in executing Novo Nordisk's strategy and business development activities on a global scale and has the following responsibilities: Identification of novel pipeline assets and enabling technologies. Strategic overview of internal, as well as BD, pipeline assets. Evaluation of novel pipeline assets and enabling technologies.
Relationships
The position is part of the global S&E team with members located predominantly in Denmark and Cambridge, MA, US. The role reports to the Head of Regional Scouts. This position will build networks and actively engage with external stakeholders including biotech companies, venture capital firms and large-cap pharma communities, to ensure that Novo Nordisk becomes the preferred partner within our areas of interest. The role has no direct or indirect reports.
Essential Functions
Lead scouting activities by independently identifying early and academic opportunities and engagement models to expand and transform Novo Nordisk’s pipeline
Assists in building and maintaining professional networks across the pharma/biotech ecosystem including within academic, biotech, venture capital (VC)/investors and pharma communities by contacting and meeting with university technology transfer/licensing offices, key opinion leaders and university researchers
Proactively share and describe Novo Nordisk business development and scouting priorities to external stakeholders
Assist in arranging and participate in university- or Novo Nordisk-sponsored events and meetings and participate in external scientific congresses or symposia
Meet biotech, pharma companies and investors at biotech/pharma/investors partnering events; visit and share Novo Nordisk business development and scouting priorities to accelerators, incubators and the like
Meet VC firms and participate in VC conferences and events
Systematically scout for opportunities through professional networks, literature searches, databases and patent searches within relevant therapy areas; track and report opportunities according to established internal procedures
Systematically report scouting and assist in the initial evaluation of identified opportunities in close collaboration with the S&E evaluator teams and other relevant stakeholders globally
Occasionally supports the further evaluation process according to established procedures up to and including due diligence occasionally to secure proposed collaborations and licenses for products and technology opportunities
Presents opportunities to therapy area delegates and may support the presentation of selected opportunities to relevant governance boards by providing additional data and information as needed
Assists in providing support to transaction colleagues during negotiation of licenses, collaborations agreements, sponsored research agreements and feasibility studies
Physical Requirements
20-30% overnight travel required.
Qualifications
Master’s degree in business or life sciences is required; a medical degree is preferred
8+ years of experience in a consultancy, R&D Business development, or equivalent role
Research, medical training and experience are preferably within the metabolic space
Proven track-record of project management, search and evaluation, business development or an equivalent role in R&D
Ability to network across the pharma/biotech ecosystem including VC/investor communities, particularly related to (insert specific TAs here)
Experience in business development and licensing, covering aspects of pharmaceutical drug discovery and development
Ability to identify opportunities not previously identified for various therapeutic areas leading to collaboration
Proven record of strong stakeholder management towards senior stakeholders and external parties and networking skills
Ability to link innovation, science and strategy, as well as the ability to communicate issues
Outgoing, analytical and a good communicator who functions well in a dynamic environment
The base compensation range for this position is $160,000 to $250,000. 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.
Employees are also eligible to participate in Company employee benefit programs including medical, dental and vision coverage; life insurance; disability insurance; 401(k) savings plan; flexible spending accounts; employee assistance program; tuition reimbursement program; and voluntary benefits such as group legal, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance and auto/home insurance. The Company also offers time off pursuant to its sick time policy, flex-able vacation policy and parental leave policy.
We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.
At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and defeating diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.
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.
If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
Company
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases such as obesity and rare blood and endocrine disorders. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 54,400 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information visit novonordisk.com.
Our US Research & Development hub, located in the Greater Boston area, brings together the best talent to drive life science innovation. Located in Lexington, Watertown and Cambridge, our teams reflect the full scope of R&D, from early research through late-stage clinical development. We are building for the future by 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. By combining the speed and agility of biotech with the quality, resources, and stability of a large pharmaceutical company, our US R&D hub will benefit from the best of both worlds to develop new medicines that meet the needs of patients.
We don’t take shortcuts… we’re in it for life We’re not your typical healthcare company. In a modern world of quick fixes, we focus on solutions to defeat serious chronic disease and create long-term health. Our unordinary mindset is at the heart of everything we do. We seek out new ideas and put people first as we push the boundaries of science, make healthcare more accessible, and work to treat, prevent, and even cure diseases that affect millions of lives. Because we believe it takes an unordinary approach to drive real, lasting change in health. Founded in Denmark in 1923, today we employ more than 77,000 people in 80 offices around the world – all united by our bold purpose to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases.
- Phone
- 617-612-6200
- Location
- 75 Hayden Avenue
Lexington
MA
02421