Director of AI
Remote
Sr. Director, NextGen AI Trends & Partnerships
Novo Nordisk · Pharmaceutical / Life Sciences · 50000+ employees · 📍 Lexington, MA
Senior individual contributor embedded in Novo Nordisk's global R&D AI organization, tasked with horizon-scanning emerging AI trends and brokering high-value external partnerships that translate into funded, enterprise-scale AI initiatives — reporting directly to the Chief AI Officer.
AI Maturity
advanced
Reports To
Chief AI Officer
Why Role Exists
Expansion
Company Stage
public
Source
linkedin
Key Responsibilities
- Scan and synthesize global AI macro trends to deliver market intelligence into the organization
- Identify and evaluate emerging AI technologies and platforms for strategic business impact
- Establish and maintain strategic external collaborations and AI partnerships globally
- Support senior leadership in building business cases to secure funding for high-impact AI initiatives
- Serve as thought leader and advisory expert on AI innovation for EVP and C-suite stakeholders
- Promote cross-global knowledge sharing and AI best practices across R&D teams
Requirements
- Deep expertise in AI and digital disruption trends at macro and market level
- Demonstrated ability to forge and manage strategic external technology partnerships
- Experience advising or presenting to C-suite / EVP-level leadership on AI strategy
- Ability to develop funded business cases for AI initiatives
- Comfort operating as a senior individual contributor with high autonomy
Signals
- ⚠ No salary or compensation range posted
- ⚠ Individual contributor role with Sr. Director title may limit organizational influence despite C-suite access
- ⚠ Scope is broad and somewhat loosely defined — 'explore and define' language suggests ambiguity in deliverables
- ⚠ Role has been posted at least twice (May 2026 and current) — possible retention or fit issue with prior hire
- ✓ Direct reporting line to Chief AI Officer / GVP — strong organizational proximity to power
- ✓ Fully remote with no geographic constraints, broadening candidate quality
- ✓ Clear mandate: external horizon-scanning + partnership building — well-scoped mission
- ✓ Novo Nordisk is a global pharma leader with significant R&D investment and AI ambition
- ✓ R&D hub explicitly merges biotech agility with enterprise resources — fertile ground for AI innovation
Company History
This role was posted at least twice within a short window (confirmed May 2026 and current posting), suggesting either a prior hire did not work out, the role scope was refined after an initial search, or headcount expanded to fill multiple seats. Candidates should probe tenure expectations and what success looks like in year one.