Head of Business Development Transactions

Novo Nordisk • Cambridge, MA

5d

About The Position

Global Business Development is responsible for Novo Nordisk’s corporate business development activities related to establishing external partnerships, collaborations and acquisitions, as well as integration and alliance management. The Group Vice President (GVP) area consists of units covering business development from end-to-end with Search, Evaluation & Intelligence, BD and M&A Transactions, Integration and Alliance Management. The Head of Business Development (BD) and Transactions is crucial for securing external assets that augment and accelerate the Novo Nordisk pipeline. These can include drug candidate molecules, technology platforms, device and diagnostic platforms, production capacity, and commercial assets and capabilities – anything that supports the development and delivery of differentiated medicines to patients in the therapy areas that we serve. The Head of BD Transactions works proactively and independently driving access to external innovation through assessment, negotiation and contracting with external parties. Given the external facing nature of the role, they are expected to nurture a strong network within relevant innovation ecosystems and have the ability to leverage this network to gain access to and come to mutually beneficial agreement terms on prioritized business development deals, including research collaborations, licenses, asset purchases, company acquisitions, mergers and other partnerships. The Head of BD Transactions should constantly raise the bar and strive for higher performance in the unit as well as across the organization.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in business, economics, finance, pharmaceutical sciences, chemistry, biology, pharmacology or other related field is required
• Minimum 15 years’ industry relevant experience with focus on strategic business development and financial aspects is required
• Creative and analytical problem solving: Given the high level of cross-organizational involvement and the criticality of strategic decisions at the corporate level, this position is required to have: A very high capacity for problem solving The ability to consolidate large amounts of complex information in a dynamic environment To think outside the box to arrive at creative solutions
• Strong analytical skills, and the ability to assess and credibly challenge data and concepts across a large span of content, often towards technical expert stakeholders, is critical
• Strategic Vision: Proven ability to develop and communicate a clear strategic vision for the company, including identifying new business opportunities and assessing potential risks and developing convincing, clear and strategically aligned equity stories for individual deals that support the corporate strategy
• Impact and Influence: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively engage with stakeholders, present strategic recommendations, and drive alignment across the organization using reasoning, persuasive arguments to develop buy in and followership
• Creative and analytical problem solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret data and derive insights that drive strategic decisions
• Innovative Thinking: A mindset geared towards innovation and the ability to identify and capitalize on emerging approaches and industry shifts ahead of the curve
• Global Perspective: Experience working in a global or multi-national company, with an understanding of global markets and the ability to develop strategies that consider international implications and capture opportunity in different market environments
• Leading and managing change: Encouraging business improvement and growth by ensuring stakeholders embrace change and continuously look to improve themselves and their work methods
• Self-awareness and maturity: Self-awareness of own strengths, limitations and development needs, applies this to optimize performance and relationships
• Communication: Highly effective written and verbal communication (memos, reports slides, presentations, facilitation) Ability to tailor communication to different audiences and different levels
• Convince others at all levels, with sometimes divergent views and interests, to accept new concepts, practices and approaches
• Collaborate across the line of business to secure adequate understanding and implementation of corporate strategic initiatives
• Effectively facilitate resolution of disagreements and conflict at all levels
• Leading, coaching, and mentoring others: Ability to support individuals by improving performance and future potential through leadership, coaching, and mentorship

Responsibilities

• Deliver business development transactions and contracts with favorable terms to Novo Nordisk
• Develop transaction strategies and deal tactics in line with potential value and strategic importance of individual assets or companies
• Complete contract negotiations, including driving discussions on investment mandates with internal governance, ensuring favorable contractual positions for NN and mitigating key risks
• Lead strategic deals including diligence and deal execution across deal types e.g. mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, partnerships, and licensing opportunities aligned with corporate strategies and priorities
• Within mandates, own and drive all assigned projects and processes; along with the GVP Global Business Development, advise and occasionally challenge senior management on decision making and facilitate proper anchoring and execution of conclusions reached
• Establish and maintain strong and trusted ecosystem networks
• Maintain a strong network within the business development ecosystem; represent Novo Nordisk and communicate business development priorities, capture opportunities, and ensure strong collaboration
• Interact professionally and credibly on behalf of Novo Nordisk’s business interests, leveraging relationships to ensure access to innovation and information that supports and advances the BD agenda
• Stay abreast of industry trends, policies and emerging practices to identify innovative business opportunities, approaches and collaboration models that can be adopted or adapted, and/or emerging risks that must be mitigated in our business development activities
• Provide leadership, mentorship and functional oversight
• Work collaboratively with GBD leadership to drive performance, development and advancement of the area
• Set and clarify direction and strategy for the BD and M&A transactions team
• Build capability across the function through mentoring and fostering a high-performance culture
• Strive to eliminate bottlenecks and remove roadblocks to ensure progress at pace
• Run activities that support the direction-setting for the area and contribute to fostering an engaged and high performing team, managed in accordance with the Novo Nordisk Way
• Act as a thought leader, providing expertise and guidance in business development strategy and planning
• Actively help develop and build succession within the team and the broader GBD area as a member of the leadership team

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees