Job Information
Novo Nordisk Pipeline and Early Commercial Strategy Lead in Plainsboro, New Jersey
About the Department
Our Commercial Strategy and Marketing 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 Pipeline and Early Commercial Strategy Lead will be at the forefront of shaping the future of the Novo Nordisk portfolio by owning the commercial strategy for pharmaceutical assets in the early stages of development within the CS&M (Commercial Strategy and Marketing) organization. This role is responsible for developing commercialization strategies to maximize the value of assets and the enterprise as well as providing strategic input into clinical trial strategy and regulatory development. With a holistic overview across the pipeline portfolio, the Lead ensures alignment with business objectives and market needs. This role will focus on a time horizon of 3+ years from commercialization (or commitment to phase 3 trials) and enable seamless product transition to launch teams.
Relationships
Reports to the Head of Commercial Portfolio Strategy, Pipeline, BD&L. Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including portfolio, marketing, medical, R&D, regulatory affairs, analytics, and other relevant NNI departments to define pipeline strategy, define early commercial strategy and transition to launch teams. This role will have a team of early product asset owners reporting into them.
Essential Functions
Pipeline Strategy: Develop and lead end to end pipeline strategy for assets across the NNI portfolio which includes diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and future therapeutic areas/ disease states. Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams including research and development, regulatory affairs, and commercial teams, to align product development strategies. Provide end to end pipeline strategy and pre-launch inputs. Provide a single point of contact to global for commercial in pipeline projects 
Business Development and Licensing: Provide commercial NNI perspective and input on BD&L opportunities. Drive the evaluation of potential products for inclusion in the portfolio by conducting in-depth market analysis to identify emerging trends, competitive dynamics, patient needs, and opportunities for growth. Provide insight into critical asset purchasing and licensing opportunities to meet enterprise pipeline goals
Future Business Strategy: Identify emerging trends, disruptive technologies, and potential market shifts that may impact the company's pipeline portfolio or BDL activities. Develop strategic initiatives and investment priorities to position the company for long-term success and sustainable growth in the evolving healthcare landscape
Early Strategy Execution: Oversee the early execution of the commercial strategy (e.g., market development activities, early go to market planning) prior to transition to the therapy area commercial teams at the beginning of the launch planning process (three years prior to launch)
Commercial Strategic Input: Provide strategic input into early-stage pipeline clinical trial activities ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and commercialization goals in collaboration with R&D
Pipeline Optimization and Risk Management: Advise annual planning for early products and provide pipeline 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
Pipeline Portfolio Oversight: Maintain a holistic overview of the pipeline portfolio, assessing the potential of each asset and prioritizing resources accordingly. Monitor the progress of assets through the development process
Early Product Management: Evaluate Key Performance Indicators of success for launching assets in relation to in-line products for pipeline assets. Lead early product component of lifecycle management strategy utilizing “one impact planning". Proactively align with relevant functional partners. Oversee early product resource allocation and investments
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 commercialization strategy including engaging with ‘One Impact Planning’ strategy team
People Development and Coaching: Responsible for setting and communicating clear individualized role expectations for each 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
Responsible for setting and communicating clear individualized role expectations for each 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.
Qualifications
Requires a Bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree preferred
15+ years of experience, including a demonstrated history in early commercialization strategy or related roles within the pharmaceutical industry
Demonstrated success in early commercial planning, launching, prioritizing pipeline assets, and managing products
Strong knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry, including competitive market dynamics, and trends, especially within diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular 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
Proficiency in financial analysis, 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
Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and motivate others
Embodies leadership behaviors, including authenticity, servant leadership, will, empathy, decisiveness, and driving focus and simplicity
People management experience required, with a proven track record of development and coaching
We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.
At Novo Nordisk we recognize that it is no longer good enough to aspire to be the best company in the world. We need to aspire to be the best company for the world and we know that this is only possible with talented employees with diverse perspectives, backgrounds and cultures. We are therefore committed to creating an inclusive culture that celebrates the diversity of our employees, the patients we serve and communities we operate in. Together, we’re life changing.
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.