Associate Vice President, R&D Process Orchestration

Job description

Are you passionate about transforming how global R&D organisations operate? Do you thrive at the intersection of strategy, operational excellence, digital transformation, and cross-functional leadership? If so, this is a unique opportunity to shape the future of R&D at Novo Nordisk. The Position As Associate Vice President, R&D Process Orchestration, you will play a pivotal role in accelerating the way Novo Nordisk develops medicines by improving how the work flows across the entire R&D value chain; from early development strategy through protocol development, clinical studies, and submission. Reporting to the Group Vice President of Portfolio Strategy & Project Leadership, you will lead the newly established R&D Process Orchestration function and act as a strategic partner to the R&D Leadership Team. Your mission is to simplify complexity, improve speed, strengthen collaboration, and enable data-driven decision-making across R&D. You will work across organisational boundaries to redesign workflows, optimise processes, and introduce digital and AI-enabled solutions that improve productivity and reduce time to market. Position to be based in Søborg, Denmark. Your Key Responsibilities You will: Define the strategic direction for process orchestration area across R&D. Own and continuously improve key portfolio management processes and optimise the Global Project Framework. Drive and facilitate process excellence by redesigning workflows, simplifying handovers, manage interdependencies, and improving end-to-end process efficiency. Partner with senior leaders and subject matter experts across R&D, Quality, CMC, Digital, and other business areas to drive enterprise-wide alignment and change to accelerate development of asset strategy, clinical trial planning, execution and submission. Work with our AI and Digital area to accelerate digital transformation of how we set asset strategy and enable seamless and fast downstream execution Build organisational capability by developing a high-performing team and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Represent Novo Nordisk externally in relevant industry forums and benchmark emerging best practices in R&D operations. Qualifications To succeed in this role, you are likely to bring: A master's degree or other advanced degree in Life Sciences, Engineering, Business, or related discipline, preferred. Senior leadership experience in the pharmaceutical industry. A strong track record of leading enterprise-wide transformation and operational excellence initiatives across a complex pharmaceutical organisation Demonstrated success delivering cross-functional transformation across complex value chains, aligning teams, processes, and outcomes. Experience redesigning operating models, workflows, or business processes with measurable business impact for R&D functions of a pharmaceutical company Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead cross-functional initiatives without direct authority. Experience implementing digital solutions such as AI, automation, process mining, or advanced analytics to improve business performance. Strong program and portfolio management capabilities. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills. About You We imagine that you: Are a strong communicator with excellent collaboration skills. Think strategically while remaining highly execution oriented. Are naturally curious, and challenge established ways of working. Enjoy solving complex organisational challenges through collaboration and influence. Build trust quickly and create alignment across diverse stakeholders. Lead change with confidence and inspire others to embrace new ways of working. Have a passion for continuous improvement, innovation, and creating lasting organisational impact. Deadline Sunday 17 September 2026. You do not need to attach a cover letter to your application, but please include a few sentences about why you are applying in your CV. To ensure an efficient and fair recruitment process, please refrain from adding a photo in your CV. We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all our job applicants. Working at Novo Nordisk At Novo Nordisk, you will join a company driven by purpose and a commitment to improving the lives of millions of people living with serious chronic diseases. We offer an opportunity to influence one of the world's leading R&D organisations and help shape how future medicines are developed through innovation, collaboration, and operational excellence.