Associate Director International Operations Business Development (IO BD) Transactions
At Novo Nordisk, we have intensified our strategic focus on reaching more patients with our therapies through business development and partnering.
If you are passionate about driving transactions across traditional commercial partnerships, e-health and e-commerce collaborations, and strategic projects aligned with our consumerization strategy, seize the opportunity to join us as our new Associate Director of Transactions, IO BD.
The Position
The Associate Director Transactions, IO BD will be responsible for evaluating external commercial partnerships, e-health and e-commerce opportunities, building business cases, and leading deal execution to support Novo Nordisk’s commercial products and strategy. This role regularly interfaces with area heads in Global Commercial, HQ functions, International Operations, and senior management. Positioned at the heart of the evolving commercial landscape, this role is critical in identifying, evaluating, and influencing market opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end evaluation and due diligence of new global partnering opportunities across commercial partnerships (e.g., co-commercialization, diagnostics, digital health, data sharing, healthcare institutions) for Novo Nordisk’s current and future portfolio.
- Drive deal strategy and execution to support commercial product growth and IO consumerization objectives, informed by valuation, risk, and diligence outcomes.
- Act as a strategic partner to embed collaboration into commercial planning—identifying and prioritizing future opportunities while ensuring collaboration is considered at relevant decision points.
- Ensure effective cross-functional collaboration to plan and execute healthcare partnership projects on time, aligned with Global Commercial priorities and agreed requirements.
- Secure stakeholder alignment and decision-making across senior management and cross-functional teams (Regulatory, Legal, Medical, Finance, Pricing, Marketing, Operations—IO/Regional/Country), including participation in key executive briefings.
- Lead significant renegotiations and settlement agreements when required.
- Serve as an internal collaboration anchor by fostering networking and knowledge transfer with other Novo Nordisk Partnering teams and managing key external interactions.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of partnering strategy, processes, and governance.
- Build organizational transaction and negotiation capabilities by developing and delivering training materials.
Qualifications
- A master’s degree in Life Science, Business, Economics, or another relevant field.
- 10+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical organizations and Business Development.
- Demonstrated track record of leading projects and deals for multiple collaborations, commercialization, and transactions involving external partners.
- Proven experience presenting partnership opportunities to senior management.
- Ability to build rapport with functional area leaders.
- Proven skills in influencing senior management, effectively converting objections into approvals.
- Experience managing all elements of due diligence, business case development, and deal structuring.
- Thorough knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, including diagnostics, digital health, and new product launches; familiarity with Novo Nordisk’s therapeutic areas is preferred.
- Understanding of the multicultural impact on business relationships; experience in an international context is essential.
- Direct or indirect leadership experience in industry or biotech is preferred.
- Strong analytical skills for informed financial evaluations.
- Ability to identify and prioritize risks, framing business decisions for senior management effectively.
- Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
About the Department
The International Operations Business Development team collaborates with the commercial organization to excel in identifying, evaluating, creating, and executing strategic partnerships that maximize the potential of Novo Nordisk’s commercial products through best-in-class deal-making.
Located in Zurich, Switzerland, the team is anchored in the Business Integrity Legal Development (BILD) department at Novo Nordisk’s IO Headquarters. IO Business Development serves as the unit responsible for business development within Novo Nordisk’s International Operations, bringing together expert strategists, analysts, dealmakers, and specialists in deal management.
Our culture of teamwork, transparency, and accountability fosters an environment where we pursue transformative partnerships and collaboration, aiming to create greater value than we could achieve independently. Together, we push for more scientific and commercial breakthroughs, discoveries, expertise, and overall impact.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.