About the Department Our Marketing and Patient Solutions group creates and delivers human-centered experiences, where innovation meets customer-centricity, driving the ultimate experience for our patients. Our focus extends beyond transactions to craft experiences as one fully integrated, aligned and connected organization that puts empathy at the center, powered by insight and foresight. We develop an end-to-end approach to strategy, focusing on every touchpoint that impacts our customers. We leverage data and insights to inform our decision-making processes, ensuring that our strategies are rooted in a deep understanding of customer needs and behaviors. Our 'test and learn’ mindset and approach enables us to iterate rapidly and refine our strategies based on real-world results. We are building an intentional team culture that is made up of diverse skillsets, united by the shared belief that reinvention and learning is what fuels continuous growth. Do you get excited about exploring the unknown? Does the idea of driving value through human-centered design pull you in? Are you ready to experiment with us?
The Position The Senior Director, Marketing for Pipeline Products and Portfolio Strategy will be at the forefront of shaping the future of the Novo Nordisk cardiometabolic portfolio & pipeline by owning the commercial strategy for pharmaceutical assets in development within the US Marketing & Patient Solutions (MPS) organization. This is a high-impact, highly visible leadership role that sits at the critical intersection of commercial strategy, pipeline development and portfolio strategy. This position is responsible for developing commercialization strategies to maximize the value of pipeline assets and the portfolio as well as providing strategic input into clinical trial strategy and regulatory development. With a holistic overview across the pipeline portfolio, the Senior Director ensures alignment with business objectives and market unmet needs, to ensure the voice of the U.S. commercial organization is integrated into product development decisions.
As a player-coach, the Senior Director will both lead a team and contribute as a subject matter expert in commercial strategy development. This leader will play a defining role in shaping Novo Nordisk's Cardiometabolics pipeline by influencing which products advance, how clinical trials are designed and how new products are positioned for successful U.S. market entry and long-term commercial success. This role will focus on a time horizon of approximately L-24 months from commercialization (or commitment to phase 3 trials) and enable seamless transition to pre-launch teams.
Relationships Reports to the Associate Vice President (AVP) of Commercial Portfolio and Pipeline Strategy. Collaborates with cross-functional teams and leads a team of pipeline strategy marketers.
Essential Functions
• Pipeline asset strategy development and leadership
• Lead the development of comprehensive U.S. commercial strategies for pipeline products across the Cardiometabolics portfolio, defining "where to play," and "how to win," for each asset, by driving competitive strategy and market positioning. Includes co-creating the full lifecycle plan for each asset
• Drive a unified U.S. commercial perspective for each asset, that aligns to Therapeutic Area Strategies (TAS) while reflecting the unique needs and dynamics of the U.S. market. Consider strategic implications across the portfolio, considering in-market brands, pipeline assets and competition
• Lead and align cross-functional partners, ensuring all functional inputs included in asset strategy. Drive accountability across functions including Market Access, Health Economics, Medical Affairs, Sales, Brand/Promotional Marketing and Insights and Analytics
• Identify and proactively address gaps, risks and opportunities
• Provide actionable commercial insights that inform Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trial designs and investment decisions. Provide strategic input ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and commercialization goals
• Evaluate and size commercial opportunities for pipeline assets, including revenue potential, market sizing, patient segmentation and competitive positioning
• Portfolio strategy within and across TAs
• Lead the development and maintenance of strategic portfolio plays, to optimize value creation and enable profitable growth across NNI
• Advise annual planning for early products and provide pipeline and portfolio prioritization recommendations that aim to maximize potential revenue and meet business goals. Identify potential risks and challenges in the development and commercialization process, developing mitigation strategies to address them
• Monitor industry trends and competitive landscape changes to anticipate potential impacts on pipeline assets and adjust strategies accordingly
• Drive a unified U.S. commercial perspective for the portfolio plan, which supports achievement of corporate strategy and TAS ambitions. Consider strategic implications and enable investment recommendations
• Shape marketplace strategy well ahead of launch, identifying opportunities to influence the competitive landscape, payer environment and prescriber behaviour. Oversee the early execution of the commercial strategy (e.g., market development activities)
• Business Development: Provide commercial evaluation support for external business development assessments within the Cardiometabolics space
• Financial Analysis and Executive Presentations
• Develop and present rigorous commercial assessments and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and key stakeholders
• Collaborate with the Financial Valuations & Forecasting team to develop robust financial models and commercial forecasts in support of pipeline asset development and portfolio prioritization decisions
• Market Intelligence and Analytics
• Identify emerging trends, disruptive technologies and potential market shifts that may impact the company's pipeline and portfolio decisions. Develop strategic initiatives and investment priorities to position the company for long-term success and sustainable growth in the evolving healthcare landscape
• Shape and leverage market research, analytics, competitive intelligence and health economic insights to support commercial strategy development and decision-making
• Ensure the team delivers high-quality, insight-driven analysis to guide strategic choices
• Product Transition: Make recommendations regarding all asset transitions and the timeline. Support the transition to internal therapeutic area stakeholders to ensure operationalization of the commercialization of new assets and maximization of US entry in those new therapeutic areas. Bridges strategic planning from early development to therapeutic area; Responsible for smooth transition into TA commercial teams
• Team Leadership, People Development and Coaching: Responsible for setting and communicating clear individualized role expectations for each direct report based on position, skills, talents and objectives. Ensure that reporting personnel have strengths-based individual development plans (IDP), with annual goals and measurements that are consistent with the priorities of the business. Provide regular coaching of reports that prioritizes appropriate challenging, development, feedback, regular recognition and support
Physical Requirements Approximately 20-30% overnight travel.
Development Of People Supervisory. 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.
Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Marketing, Life Sciences, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred
• 15+ years of experience, including 10+ years of progressive marketing and/or commercial strategy experience in the pharmaceutical industry a demonstrated history in early commercialization strategy or related roles within the pharmaceutical industry
• 5+ years People management and team leadership experience required, with a proven track record of development and coaching, inspiring, motivating and retaining talent
• Experience supporting business development evaluations, including in-licensing or M&A assessments preferred
• Experience working in a global/matrix organization, including collaboration with global headquarters teams preferred
• Demonstrated success in product marketing / brand management, early commercial planning and product launches, including P&L ownership/management, prioritizing pipeline assets and managing products
• Strong knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, including competitive market dynamics and trends, especially within diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular, liver and kidney diseases preferred
• Strategic mindset and problem-solving skills with ability to develop and execute innovative pipeline strategies aligned with NNI objectives and market opportunities
• Strong understanding of clinical trial strategy, regulatory requirements and market access considerations
• Experience with local and global operations within life sciences preferred
• Strategic Planning, Execution and follow-through skills required; Experience with market research and commercial analytics methodologies
• Proficiency in financial analysis (commercial forecasting, business cases and investment decision support), budget management and resource allocation to pipeline and early product strategy decisions and maximize ROI across the pipeline portfolio
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with ability to influence senior leaders and collaborate with cross-functional teams across the organization
• Embodies leadership behaviours, including authenticity, servant leadership, will, empathy, decisiveness and driving focus and simplicity
The base compensation range for this position is $229,200 to $401,100 . Base compensation is determined based on a number of factors. This position is also eligible for a company bonus based on individual and company performance. Novo Nordisk offers long-term incentive compensation and or company vehicles depending on the position's level or other company factors.
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.
We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.
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 defeating 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.
Novo Nordisk is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations.
If you are interested in applying to Novo Nordisk and need special assistance or an accommodation to apply, please call us at 1-855-411-5290. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.