About this role
<p> </p><p><strong>Role purpose</strong></p> <p>The <strong>Sourcing Director of China External Innovation (EI)</strong> is accountable for <strong>originating, evaluating, and driving biotech collaboration deals</strong> that create pipeline value for Novo Nordisk through <strong>biotech partnership and co-development.</strong></p> <p>Operating as a <strong>senior contributor</strong>, the role focuses on <strong>biotech engagement</strong>, scientific evaluation, and <strong>deal shaping</strong> within the <strong>China biotech ecosystem</strong>, progressing opportunities toward <strong>internal decision milestones and integration into R&D Lines of Business (LoB)</strong>, in alignment with Global R&D External Innovation processes.</p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Key accountabilities</strong></p> <p><strong>Sourcing, evaluation & deal shaping</strong></p> <ul style="margin-bottom:0.0cm;margin-top:0.0px"> <li>Coordinate structured gap analysis with internal stakeholders, including:</li> </ul> <ul style="margin-top:0.0cm;margin-bottom:0.0cm" type="disc"> <ul style="margin-top:0.0cm;margin-bottom:0.0cm" type="circle"> <li>Therapeutic Areas, Target Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, and other relevant functions</li> <li>Identification of biology, chemistry, capability, or capacity gaps in the internal pipeline</li> <li>Translation of those gaps into clear sourcing hypotheses and partnership requirements</li> </ul> <li>Proactively <strong>source and triage biotech opportunities</strong> across the China ecosystem based on the gap analysis outcome.</li> <li>Lead <strong>deep scientific evaluation</strong> covering:</li> <ul style="margin-top:0.0cm;margin-bottom:0.0cm" type="circle"> <li>Medicinal Chemistry quality and design hypotheses</li> <li>CADD/AIDD drug design maturity and real‑world impact</li> <li>translational relevance and execution risk</li> </ul> <li>Drive opportunities through EI pipeline‑filling processes, including:</li> <ul style="margin-top:0.0cm;margin-bottom:0.0cm" type="circle"> <li>internal alignment and framing</li> <li>pre‑due diligence and due diligence input</li> <li>preparation of decision materials for EI and LoB forums</li> </ul> <li>Actively <strong>shape the scientific and structural aspects of deals</strong>, while partnering with alliance management and BD on contracting and execution</li> </ul> <p><strong>Pipeline integration & value realization</strong></p> <ul style="margin-top:0.0cm;margin-bottom:0.0cm" type="disc"> <li>Ensure collaborations generate outputs that are aligned with global pipeline needs</li> <li>Enable <strong>smooth handover and absorption</strong> of externally generated assets into NN programs</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p><strong>Qualifications</strong></p> <ul style="margin-top:0.0cm;margin-bottom:0.0cm" type="disc"> <li>PhD in Medicinal Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Life Sciences, or related discipline</li> <li><strong>8+ years</strong> experience in:</li> <ul style="margin-top:0.0cm;margin-bottom:0.0cm" type="circle"> <li>small‑molecule drug development</li> <li>biotech collaborations or external innovation</li> <li>Medicinal Chemistry and CADD/AIDD‑enabled programs</li> </ul> <li><strong>Demonstrated experience evaluating and advancing deals</strong> involving:</li> <ul style="margin-top:0.0cm;margin-bottom:0.0cm" type="circle"> <li>early biotech pipelines</li> <li>platform‑based drug development collaborations</li> </ul> <li>Strong ability to assess <strong>chemistry‑driven programs and AI‑enabled design claims</strong> with scientific rigor</li> <li>High degree of personal motivation and proactivity, able to influence without authority, and operate comfortably in ambiguity</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Working conditions</strong></p> <ul style="margin-top:0.0cm;margin-bottom:0.0cm" type="disc"> <li>Based in <strong>Shanghai</strong></li> <li>Up to <strong>~20% travel</strong>, primarily within China, as required for partner and project engagement</li> </ul> <p> </p> <p> </p><p><span style=""><span style=""><span style="">We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.</span></span></span></p> <p> </p> <p><span style=""><span style=""><span style="">At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and preventing diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.</span></span></span></p>