Grant Lead

Grant Lead, Grant Management, The Novo Nordisk Foundation

We are seeking an experienced lead to head one of two teams in Grant Management department in exciting times of change. To enable the Novo Nordisk Foundation's growth and increasing international reach, we are increasing our focus on developing scalable ways of working and granting models, utilising digitisation, systems and new technologies, enabled by standardisation and by streamlining our granting processes and granting models.

The Foundation’s Grant Management area is responsible for ensuringefficient, professional, and seamless management of grants within the Novo Nordisk Foundation and towards our grantees, committees and other stakeholders.

The role as grant lead requires a strong leadership profile. As Grant Lead, you are expected to balance and actively exercise operational, professional, and people leadership. You do not need to be the deepest technical expert in all aspects of grant management, but you must have the leadership capacity to set direction, ensure progress, and create a high-performing and motivated team.

The Job

As Grant Lead, you will have overall responsibility for leading your team across three core leadership dimensions:

Operational leadership

• Prioritise tasks and resources to ensure efficient handling of the team’s grant portfolio
• Ensure follow-up, progress, and timely decision-making across processes and cases
• Anticipate risks, bottlenecks, and potential “crises” and act proactively
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and legal and regulatory requirements

Professional leadership

• Set direction and ensure a high professional standard in grant management practices
• Develop and strengthen subject matter expertise within the team
• Act as a sparring partner to programme areas and scientific/project managers
• Ensure relevant expertise is involved from other departments or external partners when needed

People leadership and development

• Lead, motivate, and develop a team of highly skilled grant management professionals
• Handle people leadership matters with confidence, care and a strong sense of responsibility.
• Create space and motivation for continuous learning and professional growth
• Drive change and support the team through ongoing development and transformation

You will be part of a management team consisting of one other Grant Lead with reference to the Director of Grant Management. You will be part of an international and purpose-driven working environment with colleagues of diverse backgrounds and perspectives that enables us to deliver professional grant management as we are involved in all phases of the life cycle of the grants.

Professional and Personal Qualifications

Our ideal candidate has strong leadership competencies and experience within management e.g., as a team leader. We are looking for a candidate with relevant leadership experience from grant management or from other complex, large-scale operational environments, for example within public administration, regulated organisations, large programmes or portfolios, or similar.

Further to this, we imagine you have experience with:

• Proven people leadership experience, including the ability to handle complex personnel situations and build trust, motivation and performance in the team
• Strong experience with operational leadership, including prioritisation, follow-up, and optimisation of processes in a compliant environment
• The ability to manage several complex projects and processes simultaneously while being a collaborative colleague
• Holds a relevant master’s degree, supplemented within project- or process management and leadership.
• Fluent in written and spoken English is a requirement; understanding Danish will be an advantage

As a person, you are:

• A role model in leadership who can live and share the values of the Foundation
• Quality-conscious, professional, and service-minded, with a strong personal and inspiring drive for others through your passion and engagement
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to widen your understanding of matters through listening to other people’s perspectives
• Able to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced work environment
• Purpose-driven with an engaged, collaborative, and positive mindset.

You will work onsite at the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s offices in Hellerup. We have an office-first policy where limited remote working conditions can be agreed upon.

Next step

We encourage you to upload your application as soon as possible and no later than 31 March 2026.

To apply, please upload your CV, cover letter, and University transcripts by clicking on the “Apply” button.

Working at the Novo Nordisk Foundation
We offer a committed and professional workplace in which we emphasize ensuring that our colleagues thrive, are challenged, and have opportunities to develop their potential.

The department is composed of 24 highly skilled and dedicated colleagues, working in two teams, who develop and manage professional granting instruments and processes. This is done in close collaboration with the Foundation's grant awarding areas and other functional departments. In 2025 the foundation granted 11,8 billion DKK for science, innovation and education in Denmark and internationally becoming one of the leading global foundations.

A career at the Novo Nordisk Foundation gives you the opportunity to work:

• On important projects that improve people's health and the sustainability of society and the planet
• With key actors within research and development in Denmark and internationally
• As part of a dedicated team that is passionate about creating impact