Director - Digital Data Science

About the Department

Are you enthusiastic about driving the design of next generation healthcare solutions that will change the life of patients with diabetes and other serious chronic diseases? Do you want to be on the cutting edge of science to discover novel therapies and delivery technologies that patients both need and want?

The Novo Nordisk research center Seattle serves as the foundation of the Novo Nordisk U.S. research and development efforts for diabetes, obesity, liver disease and other therapeutic areas. In addition to discovering new therapies and technologies, our dynamic team of scientists and engineers lead an aspirational charge to pioneer scientific breakthroughs that have the potential to prevent and ultimately cure chronic disease. It is where science and technology intersect, and a vision can become a clinical reality. Are you ready to make a difference? Then join us as we drive change to defeat chronic disease.

Who we are?

The AI and Analytics Team is part of Novo Nordisk’s Data Science division, where we apply sophisticated algorithms and machine learning techniques to some of the hardest problems in the discovery and development of new healthcare solutions. By leveraging a blend of scientific, problem-solving, and quantitative skills, we provide superior data insights that empower Novo Nordisk to further develop and deliver life-changing treatments. We work in multidisciplinary teams with strong collaboration across all areas of the organization and engage in external collaborations to ensure access to cutting edge research and technology.

We believe in the value of a diverse and inclusive culture. Together, we build and grow talent to ensure the development of new solutions. The team is comprised of collaborative, diverse and passionate people who have a true sense of pride in their work. We are committed to helping each other grow, and we are driven by the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people living with chronic disease. Everything we do starts and ends with the patient. And, while changing the future of chronic disease treatment, such as diabetes and obesity, is no easy task, we also recognize the importance of an enjoyable workplace, which is why we’ve cultivated a culture of fun, ingenuity, and innovation. Our competitive compensation package and support of a healthy work-life balance all add to a best-in-class employee experience.

***Please note we are open to hiring at a senior title commensurate with experience***

**** alternative location for this position can be our Seattle, WA facility****

The Position

Recognized as a key leader in Novo Nordisk's Data Science efforts, the Director of Digital Data Science will drive activities developing and deploying digital device and therapeutic data science solutions in drug development. The individual will be a recognized expert in AI and ML algorithms, techniques, research and applications for digital and connected devices and digital therapeutics. The Director of Digital Data Science acts independently as a leader, framing and driving innovation and project initiatives, aligned with the leading Corporate Vice President. The Director leads a team of individuals to deliver on a portfolio of digital data science projects across multiple therapeutic areas and digital modalities covering multiple drugs across all phases of development. The Director leverages their domain knowledge in data engineering and algorithm development, as well as potential prior leadership experience, to ensure their team is developing and delivering solutions representing the latest state of the art in digital devices and therapeutics. The Director not only guides the team in the development and validation of algorithms and models in support of digital data science efforts which have a global impact on Novo Nordisk's efforts in this area, but moreover is responsible for department budgets, recruiting, and other leadership activities. Furthermore, the Director will actively coach more junior Data Scientists in both professional development and project execution, setting technical direction and influencing the progression of initiatives across team boundaries. The Director is perceived as an expert across the EVP area, anticipates internal and/or external business challenges and issues, and drives innovation in their field of expertise. Solves unique and complex problems that have a broad impact on the business.

Relationships

The Director Digital Data Science reports to the relevant Corporate Vice President (CVP) in the global Data Science function. Internal partners include other team leaders in the specific CVP area, as well as more broadly in Data Science. Furthermore, key partners and stake holders include global clinical, medical and biological experts, colleagues in IT, and other experts across US and Denmark.

External relationships include relationships with commercial and academic collaboration partners.

Essential Functions

• Scientific work
  • Lead development and validation of digital device and therapeutic algorithms based on established best practices and current emerging AI and ML research
  • Drive implementation of data science best practices within the team
  • Ensure a strong team collaboration within their team of Data Scientists to ensure progress on a portfolio of projects
  • Lead initiatives to design, code, train, test, deploy, and iterate on algorithms, models, and machine learning systems
  • Initiate new projects supporting and challenging the scope of the business unit
  • Identify and propose improvement initiatives that evolve and improve the way the team works and collaborates
  • Serve as a subject matter expert within Novo Nordisk for identification and implementation of evidence-based solutions using data science
  • Set the tone for collaboration with both other Novo Nordisk areas, as well as external collaboration partners in industry and academia
  • Demonstrate initiative in identifying and addressing unmet patient needs using data
  • Prepare and present written and oral reports and proposals to peers and management
  • Deliver new patents and scientific papers in support of the relevant research area
• Collaborative teamwork
  • Recruits, manages and leads a global team to develop AI and ML solutions
  • Carries out strategic projects. Oversees daily operations of functions by directing staff and adhering to company-wide policies, procedures and programs
  • Manages organizational design, structure, development, training and planning issues within sub-function. Solid NN value chain understanding and execution
  • Ensures scalability of solutions and understand the importance of involving key stakeholders
  • Actively participates in virtual global team meetings regularly
  • Achieves business goals, shares learnings, knowledge and skills, and promotes cross-functional teamwork
  • Raise the level of competency in the team by seeking and sharing domain knowledge in the area of Data Science, as well as Novo Nordisk’s therapy areas
  • Actively mentors more junior Data Scientists with an eye on the long-term development of competencies both for the individuals, as well as across Novo Nordisk as a whole
  • Actively establish and maintain a network of relationships to enable both self and team to efficiently drive impact across the global organization
  • Drive the implementation of data science best practices across Novo Nordisk
  • Demonstrates ability to drive frequent collaborations with external commercial and academic partners

Physical Requirements

5%-20% overnight travel required.

Development of People

Ensure that reporting personnel have individual development plans (IDP), with annual goals and measurements that are consistent with the priorities of the business, and that interim reviews are held so that their work is focused on those priorities, and they understand their level of accountability for results and the measurement process. Ensure that the IDP forms include completed learning and aspiration plans and are in place for all reporting personnel to enable the achievement of goals and capability to assume increased levels of responsibility. Manage the application and communication of all Novo Nordisk policies, procedures, and Novo Nordisk Way.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree or PhD preferred. Degree within computer science, mathematics, engineering, physics, statistics, or a related quantitative discipline is preferred
• A Bachelor’s degree with 10 years’ relevant experience, or Master’s Degree with 8 years’ relevant experience, or PhD with 6 years’ relevant experience can be considered
• Relevant experience includes:
  • Demonstrated expertise with data science approaches for connected and/or wearable devices and digital therapeutics
  • Experience in multiple digital device modalities
  • Deep understanding and experience with modern end-to-end data science tools
  • Experience in leading technology, software, or hardware development
  • Demonstrated experience in the modeling of complex data sets in applied business and/or scientific application domains
  • Experience of manipulating and analyzing high dimensional and unstructured datasets, drawing conclusions, defining recommended actions and reporting results across a variety of stakeholders at all levels
  • Experience in novel methods development

• Preferred experience includes:
  • Expertise of Diabetes, Obesity, or other Novo Nordisk portfolio-related disease states along with the molecular and physiological role of drug, food, and other factors relating to the diseases. Preferred, but not required
  • Experience in pharmaceutical industry, healthcare industry, regulated medical device development or in another regulated field
  • Experience in leading and managing junior colleagues
  • Experience in influencing and controlling budgets
  • Comfortable in high-performance and cloud computing environments
  • Proven track record of publishing relevant predictive modeling results and tools in pee-reviewed journals, conferences, and other scientific proceedings
  • Ability to influence, collaborate, and lead technical teams in an organization with many moving parts
  • Ability to set direction and thrive amid ambiguity and flux
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Demonstrated ability to generate valuable and relevant ideas, create concepts based on ideas, and develop new products based on concepts
  • Ability to set data science project metrics and drive activities to meet those metrics
  • Ability to set a department budget, and maintain activities within financial targets

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.

Novo Nordisk requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Novo Nordisk will consider requests for reasonable accommodation.

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.