Role purpose
The Sr Alliance Manager of China External Innovation is responsible for end‑to‑end coordination of external collaborations, spanning deal execution and post‑deal alliance management, for partnerships with biotech companies and academic institutions.
The role serves as the primary operational and governance interface between Novo Nordisk and external partners, ensuring that collaborations are efficiently negotiated, well‑governed, and successfully executed, from contract signature through delivery of scientific and pipeline outcomes.
Key responsibilities
Deal execution & contracting coordination
- Coordinate deal execution activities for external collaborations, including:
- alignment of internal stakeholders (scientific, legal, BD, finance)
- support to negotiation of research scope, milestones, governance, and contractual terms
- Work closely with Sourcing Directors, Alliance Management, Legal, IP, and BD to:
- translate scientific intent into executable agreements
- ensure contracts are aligned with Novo Nordisk standards and compliance requirements
- Support progression of opportunities through R&D External Innovation governance and decision processes
Post‑deal alliance management & project coordination
- Act as the day‑to‑day alliance lead after deal signature, responsible for:
- establishing and running governance structures
- coordinating project meetings, milestones, timelines, and deliverables
- tracking budgets, payments, and contractual obligations
- Ensure clear roles, responsibilities, and communication flows between Novo Nordisk teams and external partners
- Proactively identify and manage risks, issues, and dependencies, escalating when needed
Scientific & operational enablement
- Support internal project teams and external partners to:
- maintain focus on agreed scientific objectives and success criteria
- ensure data, materials, and knowledge transfer occur as planned
- Coordinate with internal scientists who may act as project leads on certain SRAs, while retaining overall alliance oversight
Stakeholder management & integration
- Serve as a trusted operational partner to:
- External partners
- Novo Nordisk internal stakeholders
- Global R&D External Innovation and Alliance Management
- Enable smooth integration of externally generated outputs into internal programs and workflows
- Maintain clear documentation, reporting, and compliance records for all managed collaborations
Qualifications
Education
- PhD in life sciences, pharmacology, chemistry, biology, or related discipline
Experience
- 5+ years experience in:
- alliance management
- project management
- external collaborations within pharma or biotech
- Hands‑on experience managing:
- biotech partnerships
- academic SRAs or co‑research agreements
- Familiarity with:
- research collaboration contracts
- milestone‑based agreements
- governance models in R&D collaborations
Working conditions
- Based in Shanghai
- Up to ~20% travel, primarily within China, as required for partner and project engagement
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 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.
