Chief Business Officer, NVAC

Are you passionate about vaccine business development strategies? Do you take pride in your strong stakeholder management skills? And do you want a unique opportunity to be part of the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI)? Then you might be the person we are looking for.

 The Novo Nordisk Foundation Initiative for Vaccines and Immunity (NIVI), launched in May 2024, is composed of two entities: the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Vaccines and Immunity (NCVI), a state-of-the-art research Center anchored at the University of Copenhagen, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Vaccine Accelerator (NVAC), a company owned by the Novo Nordisk Foundation to advance translational sciences and the development of novel vaccines.

 Within the initiative, NCVI will be responsible for vaccine research, while NVAC will facilitate rapid development of new vaccine candidates by accelerating the translation of the centre’s research results into phase 1 and 2 clinical studies.  NVAC will also lead robust development plans that ensure efficient handover to a partner for late-stage development. Thus, NIVI will bridge the divisions between science, innovation, clinical application, regulatory considerations, and development.

The job

As our new CBO, you will be responsible for proactively identifying new NVAC opportunities for vaccine research and development and ensure NIVI’s portfolio and overall business goals are achieved and aligned with NIVI’s mission. The emphasis will be on technologies or candidate products that have a clear path forward through development and licensure.  You will keep up with vaccine business development trends, the competitive landscape, and promote NIVI’s agenda regionally and globally at industry conferences, seminars, public events, and leadership meetings.

Your key responsibilities will include: 

• Lead, develop and implement the overarching business development strategy and model(s) for NVAC by establishing business processes and operational goals.
• Provide relevant expertise in vaccine business needs, processes, stakeholder management, and market intelligence to inform business decisions.
• Lead the identification, establishment and maintenance of regional and global strategic partnerships, and lead the negotiation of licensing agreements, collaborations, co-development ventures and other partnerships to expand NIVI’s portfolio. 
• Lead the evaluation of potential licensing opportunities for technologies or vaccine candidates developed by companies or research institutions, including conducting due diligence and managing the integration of acquired assets into NIVI’s portfolio. 
• Work closely across NIVI to ensure business goals are achieved and aligned with KPIs, financial forecasts, and investment strategies for vaccine development.
• Hands on delivery of comprehensive market research and analysis to identify emerging trends, competitive landscapes, and potential partnership opportunities.
• Maintain a comprehensive overview of key stakeholders, including ​global funders/actors, healthcare providers, government agencies, advocacy groups, industry associations, and networks of potential/confirmed CROs/CMOs​​.

 About you

As a person you are a self-starter, energetic, agile, and result oriented. You are energised in working in a changing and dynamic work environment and you take pride in your strong interpersonal skills.

We imagine that you have:

• MBA (or equivalent) and/or PhD with accompanying business qualifications.
• Extensive experience, with a proven track record, of business deals for vaccine or biologic technologies, methods and related reagents.
• Proven track record, creating strategic partnerships in support of business development goals at a global level.
• Specialist knowledge in regulatory approval processes for vaccine or biologics development.
• ≥ 10 years’ experience with line management, including setting direction, change management, and building high performance teams.
• An extended scientific and industrial network within vaccine or biologics development.
• Fluent in English, both spoken and written.

Apply now

Please send your application and CV along with your transcripts by clicking “Apply now”. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible and no later than 17 May 2024.