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Sustainability AI and Digital Lead

Novo Nordisk • Denmark • Added on Sep 1, 2026
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This role bridges the gap between advanced data science and environmental responsibility. You will lead the digitalization of sustainability initiatives, transforming raw data into actionable AI use cases that influence strategic business decisions. By managing the corporate sustainability roadmap, you will translate complex digital possibilities into tangible tools for social and environmental impact across the entire global value chain.

At a time when pharmaceutical giants face intense scrutiny over their environmental footprint, this position serves as the engine for transparent, data-driven change. You will move beyond simple reporting to build predictive models and digital solutions that directly support ambitious global health and decarbonization targets. Your work ensures that sustainability is not just a department, but a technologically empowered core of the business operation.

This suits someone who possesses a high-level technical background in AI or engineering and excels at ‘selling’ digital transformation to senior leadership. You should be a creative problem-solver comfortable navigating the intersection of data governance and high-stakes corporate strategy.

Job-FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary mission is to orchestrate the digital transformation of the Corporate Sustainability department by bridging technical AI capabilities with environmental and social goals. You will be responsible for the end-to-end delivery of digital use cases, moving from initial ideation to full-scale implementation. Beyond project management, you will own the AI and digital roadmap for sustainability, ensuring that technology serves as a differentiator for the company. This includes preparing rigorous business cases for new digital tools and maintaining a robust data governance framework. Finally, you will serve as a strategic advisor to top management, providing insights derived from advanced analytics. You will also represent the company in collaborations with prestigious external organizations like the World Economic Forum or WHO to stay at the forefront of tech development.

Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain deep exposure to the application of Artificial Intelligence within a highly regulated industry, offering a unique perspective on how to balance innovation with compliance and data integrity. You will likely develop a nuanced understanding of how global healthcare systems intersect with environmental footprinting. There is significant opportunity to refine leadership skills in a multi-disciplinary environment, managing projects that involve data engineers, analysts, and sustainability experts across Denmark, Poland, and India. This role provides a platform to master the art of translating technical data science into strategic business value. Engagement with external academic and global policy organizations offers a chance to contribute to industry-wide standards for digital sustainability. You will be at the cutting edge of how technology can solve some of the most pressing ESG challenges in the pharmaceutical sector.

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

The ideal candidate brings a minimum of five years of experience in delivering AI and digital solutions within a large corporate or consultancy setting. A strong academic foundation, such as a Master’s or PhD in Engineering, Data Science, or IT, is essential to handle the technical complexity of the role. Technical proficiency in Python or Java is expected, alongside a sophisticated understanding of data governance principles. You must be able to demonstrate a track record of not just building models, but successfully implementing them to drive business change. Soft skills are equally critical; we are looking for an outgoing communicator who can build relationships across different functions. You should be comfortable working independently to solve complex problems while maintaining a high level of influence over diverse stakeholders.

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Focus your application on concrete examples where you bridged the gap between technical data science and a specific business or sustainability outcome. Showing that you understand the 'why' behind the technology will be more impactful than just listing coding languages. Since this role involves 'selling' AI solutions, tailor your cover letter to demonstrate your stakeholder management skills and your ability to navigate corporate environments. Highlight any experience you have with large-scale digital transformations or sustainability-related data projects. Research Novo Nordisk’s 'Circular for Zero' and social impact strategies to align your AI experience with their specific environmental goals. Demonstrating that you have thought about the ethical implications of AI in a healthcare context will also help you stand out.

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is central to the company's Environmental Responsibility and Social Responsibility agendas, focusing heavily on democratizing data to reach net-zero targets. You will likely work on use cases that track carbon emissions across the value chain and optimize resource consumption. On the social side, AI tools might be used to improve healthcare accessibility or analyze the impact of community health programs. The goal is to create a digital foundation that makes sustainability progress measurable and transparent. By leveraging predictive analytics, you will help the company anticipate regulatory changes and stakeholder expectations. Your work ensures that sustainability data is as rigorous and reliable as financial data, supporting the company's long-term health purpose.

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One significant challenge will be integrating disparate data sources from across a global organization with 80 offices and complex supply chains. Ensuring data quality and consistency while building AI models is a major technical hurdle. There is also the challenge of cultural transformation; moving a large, established healthcare company toward AI-led sustainability requires overcoming internal inertia and varying levels of digital literacy among stakeholders. You must be resilient when advocating for new ways of working. Lastly, navigating the stringent regulatory requirements of the pharmaceutical industry means that every digital solution must adhere to high standards of privacy and legal compliance, which can sometimes slow down the pace of innovation.

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day might begin with a scrum or strategy meeting with your global team of data engineers and analysts based in Denmark, Poland, and India to review the progress of ongoing AI use cases. You might then shift to a workshop with environmental experts to define the requirements for a new carbon-tracking tool. Afternoons could be spent presenting business cases to senior management or meeting with external partners like UNICEF or academic institutions to explore technological collaborations. You will likely spend time reviewing technical architectures or data governance protocols to ensure project scalability. Internal networking is a constant; you will frequently find yourself advocating for digital initiatives in meetings with various department heads. The day often involves balancing high-level strategic planning with the practicalities of technical project delivery.

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

This role offers high visibility, placing you at the intersection of tech and ESG, two of the most critical growth areas for any global corporation. Success here could lead to senior leadership roles within Digital Transformation, Corporate Sustainability, or even Operational Excellence. There is a clear path for lateral moves into specialized data science leadership or broader sustainability strategy roles. Given the global nature of Novo Nordisk, international assignments or leading cross-border task forces are also possible. As the Sustainability Data and AI team grows, there will be opportunities to mentor junior talent and shape the future organizational structure of the department. This is a chance to become a recognized thought leader in the burgeoning field of 'Green IT' and digital sustainability.

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will interact daily with the Sustainability Data and AI team, comprising analysts and engineers who look to you for strategic direction and roadmap management. You will also work closely with the Environmental and Social Responsibility departments to identify their digital needs. Externally, your stakeholders include academic researchers and global organizations such as the WHO or WEF, where you will collaborate on technological development and sustainability standards. Building these external bridges is key to keeping the company at the cutting edge. Internally, top management and C-suite executives are vital stakeholders as you provide them with the digital insights needed for strategic decision-making. You will also collaborate with IT and Legal departments to ensure all AI tools meet corporate governance and security standards.

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