Sr. Director of Innovation and Project Execution in Nucleic Acid Research

Are you a strategic leader with deep expertise in drug candidate innovation, portfolio development and global project execution? Join us in shaping the future of Novo Nordisk’s Nucleic Acid Research portfolio as our Sr. Director of Innovation and Project Execution - a key role driving global innovation, strategic partnerships, and execution excellence in a rapidly growing, cutting‑edge area.

The job

Reporting directly to the VP of Nucleic Acid Research, the Sr. Director will lead a high‑performing team of senior experts, drive cross‑functional influence through both direct and indirect leadership, and manage a portfolio of strategic external partnerships. Based in Måløv, Denmark - with global responsibility spanning colleagues in Lexington, MA - the role offers a unique opportunity to shape innovation across a rapidly evolving scientific landscape.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading a team driving Innovation and Project Execution across the Nucleic Acid Research pipeline.
• Leading excellence in technical project execution securing timely portfolio progress.
• Shaping a strong portfolio flow, ensuring a robust and dynamic inlet and outlet of projects through internal innovation and strategic external opportunities.
• Driving breakthrough innovation projects that advance platform capabilities and enable future portfolio growth.
• Cultivating and managing global strategic partnerships, including spearheading extrahepatic innovation initiatives critical for future therapeutic expansion.
• Overseeing development of next‑generation nucleic acid platforms, including RNAi, mRNA, DNA, and LNP technologies, to strengthen Novo Nordisk’s modality leadership.

Qualifications

You bring a strong scientific foundation and a proven ability to translate innovation into strategic impact. Specifically, we are looking for someone who holds a PhD in a relevant scientific field with international experience, 10+ years in pharmaceutical drug discovery and innovation leadership, expertise in nucleic acid technologies and external partnerships, strong leadership, communication and strategic capabilities.

Deadline 

4 February 2026

Working at Novo Nordisk

At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best

company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.

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 preventing 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.