Sr Alliance Manager, China External Innovation (Shanghai, Shanghai, CN)

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.

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