Vice President - Clinical Due Diligence, Strategic Portfolio Expansion

About the Department

Our East Coast Global Development Hub brings together the best minds in life science innovation with facilities in Lexington, MA and Plainsboro, NJ. We support programs from early research through late-stage clinical development. We are building for the future, creating a distinct R&D community based on collaboration, partnerships, and cutting-edge research across multiple innovative modalities and therapeutic areas. Our East Coast Global Development 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. We recognize that improving human health starts here and that patients rely on us. We’re changing lives for a living. Are you ready to make a difference?

The Position

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Vice President of Clinical Due Diligence, Strategic Portfolio Expansion to join our team. As a key member of our External Innovation team within Global Development, you will be responsible for independently driving the initial assessment of business development targets, with a focus on top priority assessments of development assets that align with Novo Nordisk's portfolio strategy. Once an initial decision is reached, you will collaborate with the Global External Collaboration team to drive more in-depth analysis, leading to a final decision on whether to acquire new assets. Your expertise will be critical in ensuring that external assets are optimally evaluated, developed, and launched, and that the future value creation journey of these assets is carefully planned and executed.

Relationships

This VP wil report to the Head of Development External Innovation with a dotted line reporting locally to the Corporate Project Vice President (CPVP) of the US East Coast Hub.  Main internal stakeholders include the Deal Group, the Development EVP, Global Business Development, all Development SVP/CVPs and key functional heads of other areas within Novo Nordisk as well as the relevant receiving Project Vice President representing the Therapeutic Area.  External interactions include management representatives from biotechnology companies, CROs, Key Opinion Leaders, and vendors.

The position is based in Plainsboro, NJ or Lexington, MA and regular travel is therefore a key requirement for collaboration and stakeholder alignment with colleagues from Boston, MA, Plainsboro, NJ, as well as colleagues based in Denmark.  The job function requires a very high degree of independence, and decisions taken have a high degree of business impact. Expert level capabilities in cross-functional collaboration are essential for the success in this role. Independence and initiative should always be demonstrated when planning and prioritising tasks and be in accordance with the current portfolio strategy as well as in accordance with applicable Novo Nordisk policies and “The Novo Nordisk Way”.

Essential Functions

• Due Diligence: Lead the clinical due diligence process for potential in-licensing, acquisition, and collaboration opportunities. Evaluate the strength of clinical data, safety profiles, regulatory pathways, and competitive positioning.
• Portfolio Alignment: Ensure new business development opportunities complement and enhance the existing R&D portfolio and corporate strategy by assessing clinical feasibility, differentiation, and commercial potential. Provide key insight into the evaluation process, and ensure steering of the relevant assessment and deal teams for optimal evaluation for Novo Nordisk.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with R&D, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, Commercial, and Business Development teams to shape recommendations regarding external innovation.  Lead the coordination of skill types within Clinical Development to ensure a cohesive plan and messaging around the asset.
• Ensuring appropriate challenge of the available plans and data, and guide the internal teams to optimal assessment of critical issues.
• Ensuring appropriate briefing of the Development EVP, the head of Development External Innovation and relevant SVP/CVPs on the findings and conclusion in relation to assets of interest.
• Tailor communication to effectively convey technical information to diverse audiences, from in-depth discussions with the Development Due Diligence team to high-level strategic dialogues with senior executives, ensuring that only the most relevant details are prioritized for informed business decision-making.
• Being accountable to the relevant governance bodies and relevant LoBs for the progress of the activities in accordance with the approved goals, agreed key deliverables, milestones and granted internal and external resources.
• Risk Assessment: Identify key risks and mitigation strategies for potential assets, considering clinical viability, regulatory challenges, and market access dynamics.
• Leadership & Influence: Represent the company at industry conferences, scientific meetings, and partnering events, positioning the organization as a preferred partner in clinical-stage innovation.
• Responsible for identifying opportunities and risks of the asset, as well as for providing needed input to secure a proper valuation of the asset.
• Support and guide the LoB in relation to the necessary resources for activities in relation to the project.

Physical Requirements

20% travel. Approximately one week per month annually. The VP position is based in Plainsboro, NJ or Lexington, MA as part of the US East Coast Hub with a global impact/influence through the execution of planning and evaluation of a number of external development projects for the purpose of in-licensing or acquisition for future value generation by Novo Nordisk. The VP position requires interaction with external companies, and advisors world-wide. Domestic and International travel will be required.

Qualifications

• MS degree and 14+ years of relevant experience or M.D./Ph.D. and additional years of relevant experience
• Deep understanding of drug development processes, regulatory requirements (FDA, EMA), and clinical trial design across multiple therapeutic areas
• Proven track record of leading scientific and clinical diligence for in-licensing, partnerships, and acquisitions
• Knowledge on the marketing of pharmaceuticals, preferably from regional or affiliate offices or alternatively from relevant post-graduate educational programs
• Proven track record of leading scientific and clinical diligence for in-licensing, partnerships, and acquisitions
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to assess scientific and clinical data to identify assets that align with portfolio goals
• Experience working cross-functionally with research, regulatory, commercial, and corporate development teams to drive strategic deal-making
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, capable of influencing both internal and external stakeholders

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

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.

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.