Director, Emerging Obesity Mechanisms

Novo Nordisk•Lexington, MA

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Head of Emerging Obesity Mechanisms US leads a modality and platform-focused team dedicated to advancing early-stage obesity projects through RNAi and small molecule approaches. The department spearheads discovery initiatives and develops a range of in vitro models, from basic human cell cultures to complex in vitro systems, to validate and refine targets in the early pipeline. This role provides biological expertise and in vitro tools to assess drug candidates' mechanisms of action and effectiveness, supporting the early obesity pipeline. It also includes managing external collaborations and overseeing projects that align with the organization's strategic objectives.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university or equivalent education with 9+ years of experience required
Master's Degree/MBA from an accredited university or equivalent education with 7+ years of experience and/or Doctorate degree from an accredited university or equivalent education with 5+ years of experience
Drug discovery in a pharma setting, target validation/maturation, developing and utilizing in vitro systems in e.g. metabolism or another relevant cardiometabolic field required
Project Management and managing external collaborations experience required
Demonstrates advanced expertise in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, bioengineering, and/or immunology
Exhibits strong leadership and managerial skills to oversee senior professionals
Possesses the ability to adapt departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges
Displays excellent problem-solving skills, with the capacity to take a broad perspective to identify and resolve complex issues
Demonstrates strong communication and negotiation skills, both internally and externally, with a focus on building consensus based on valid arguments and facts
Maintains a balanced focus on short-term and long-term organizational goals
Gives and receives continuous feedback as a natural part of personal and professional growth
Guides and mentors senior colleagues within the field of expertise to foster professional growth and development
Develops and implements operational plans that align with business priorities and strategic objectives
Applies specialized depth and breadth of expertise to recommend best practices and innovative solutions
Understands and integrates the core competencies of the function and the value chain of the company into decision-making processes
Demonstrates strong emotional intelligence and a flair for working actively with psychological safety, with experience in fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment

Nice To Haves

RNAi and small molecule approaches

Responsibilities

Leading the department in line with Novo Nordisk Way
Influence and execute strategy for the disease area
Securing global cross-organizational collaboration
Leadership development of talents with leadership and organizational potentials
Drive change management in own area as well as influence change management in the other departments as well as the TA
Lead the department to have significant impact to build and expand a sustainable pipeline within Obesity and Cardiometabolic Research, including target ID, validation, and ensuring project progression and delivery within RNAi and small molecule technologies
Development and application of newest technology and complex in vitro models
Integrating data science with biology
Continuously move the scientific concepts and models towards newest ways of thinking
Challenge the scientific rationale, hypothesis and result interpretation of projects in pipeline
Pro-active in engaging with key stakeholders across the organization
Work together with therapy area head and leadership team to identify scientific gaps in research direction as well as capabilities to mitigate and reduce gaps
Identify external groups for potential collaboration to mitigate gaps and/or increase pipeline
Assure scientific drive and value generation of ongoing and new external collaborations
Planning, coordination, prioritization, guidance to employees and monitoring progress of activities
Estimation of resource demand and bottlenecks, secure an optimal utilization of resources and equipment
Ensuring the area incl. sub-functions delivers according to the Novo Nordisk goal setting
Performance management and clear goal setting
Securing an optimal utilization of resources
Drive continuous development and improvements to meet business goals
Ensure budget and business targets are met
Responsible for Occupational Health & Safety in the department
Secure collaboration across Obesity & Cardiometabolic Research at all levels
Role model – joint responsibility for target progression and pipeline support across Research & Development
Communicate, in a structured and well-articulated way, the rationale behind scientific strategy to the key members of research committees, peers as well as key collaborators within Global Research, R&D and other NN areas
Ensure that reporting personnel have individual development plans (IDP), with annual goals and measurements that are consistent with the priorities of the business, and that interim reviews are held so that their work is focused on those priorities, and they understand their level of accountability for results and the measurement process.
Ensure that the IDP forms include completed learning and aspiration plans and are in place for all reporting personnel to enable the achievement of goals and capability to assume increased levels of responsibility.
Manage the application and communication of all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and Novo Nordisk Way.