Global Project Leader, Drug Development

Novo Nordisk

. Define, organise, and lead research and/or development deliverables for important global product projects .

Posted 10/19/2026full-timePlainsboro • New Jersey • United StatesSenior💰 $229,200 - $401,100 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading complex, cross-functional global development projects within the pharmaceutical value chain, with a strong focus on project management, stakeholder engagement, and strategic execution. Proven ability to influence in a matrix organization while fostering team motivation and continuous improvement.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Project ManagementStakeholder EngagementCross-Functional LeadershipPharmaceutical Value Chain ExperienceMatrix Organization Influence

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Project DefinitionRisk ManagementPortfolio ManagementLifecycle ManagementStrategic PlanningExecutionGovernance InteractionCommercial PlanningLaunch PreparationResource Optimization

Soft Skills

LeadershipCoachingMentoringCollaborationCommunication

Industry Keywords

PharmaceuticalGlobal Development ProjectsMatrix OrganizationRegulatory AuthoritiesNovo Nordisk

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Define, organise, and lead research and/or development deliverables for important global product projects
Own the full product development lifecycle, including long-term decisions and implications
Set project ambition, define strategies and plans, and lead through a matrix organisation
Make prioritizations and trade-offs to maximize value, quality, and long-term impact
Secure endorsement from senior management and governance boards by clarifying choices, implications, and accountability
Identify synergies and dependencies across functions and projects to optimize resource utilization
Assess project relevance and risks against future market and regulatory needs
Challenge conventions and explore better and faster paths toward launch
Define project goals and objectives; provide coaching, mentoring, and feedback to GPT members
Foster transparent stakeholder engagement, collaboration, direction, alignment, and accountability
Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, opinion leaders, regulatory authorities, investigators, CROs, vendors, and partners
Communicate and negotiate globally with stakeholders, including regulatory authorities
Connect global and local teams and support affiliates in strategic and tactical execution
Contribute to commercial, scientific, production planning, and launch preparation discussions
Communicate project reality, progress, options, trade-offs, and dilemmas to governance bodies and executive/senior leadership
Shape project strategy and recommend development options to governance boards
Apply portfolio management, launch management, lifecycle management, and cross-functional value-chain expertise
Share insights, codify learnings, and mentor others across the project leadership organisation
Chair one or more Global Project Teams, leading end-to-end product development across drug, device, digital, data, and diagnostics
Be accountable for project progress, deliverables, milestones, resource use, budgets, and financial targets
Manage interdependencies across Lines of Business and align projects with corporate and R&D strategy and sustainability commitments
Foster team engagement, motivation, development, feedback, shared learning, and mentoring
Make critical lifecycle decisions involving milestones, responsibilities, resources, and escalation to governance
Plan, monitor, and continuously improve complex development activities
Coordinate complex work across functions and external partners to develop new solutions
Represent the VP area in relevant internal and external forums

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and 14+ years of experience required
Alternatively, Master's degree and 12+ years of experience
Alternatively, PhD and 10+ years of experience
Alternatively, MD/DO and 5+ years of experience
Extensive senior-level experience, typically 12+ years, across several relevant functional areas
Proven leadership of complex, cross-functional, global development projects in a matrix organisation
Experience across the pharmaceutical value chain within Novo Nordisk and/or other pharmaceutical organisations
Broad T-profile with leadership responsibility and experience in project and people leadership
Ability to influence in a matrix organisation
Role-model leadership aligned with the Novo Way, including accountability, continuous improvement, innovation mindset, and enterprise-minded leadership
Expertise in project definition/initiation, planning, execution, risk management, completion, communication, stakeholder relations, strategy, and affiliate interaction
Advanced cross-functional process and governance interaction, portfolio management, long-term strategy, and strategy/tactics development
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally; travel up to 20 days per year

Benefits

Comp & perks

Company bonus based on individual and company performance
Long-term incentive compensation depending on position level or other company factors
Company vehicle depending on position level or other company factors
Inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity
Accommodation support for applicants with disabilities