Head of Grant Management

Are you a strong people leader with a passion for making a difference? We are seeking an experienced and dynamic leader to lead our 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 job and the department

The head of Grant Management will be responsible for overseeing the administration and monitoring of our grant portfolio, ensuring professional stakeholder management and effective and efficient distribution of funds to support high-impact projects.

The department is composed of 24 highly skilled and dedicated colleagues, working in three 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.

You will lead the Grant Management department, ensuring that all initiatives align with our strategy. This includes: 

• Provide direction and support the department, and encourage and facilitate development opportunities in a trustful collaboration with the team leaders
• Oversee the grant application, review, and approval processes, ensuring adherence to the foundation’s policies and procedures and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
• Lead a culture of continuous improvement to manage scalable growth in grant-giving and expansion of strategic scope
• Balance strategic outlook and optimisation for the future with focus on operational excellence in day-to-day operations
• Promote transparency and accountability in all aspects of grant management
• Ensure a seamless and efficient granting experience for grantees
• Work cross-functionally across the Foundation, applying grant management expertise to contribute to maximising the impact of funding decisions
• Prepare reports and presentations for senior leadership and the Board of Directors on grant performance and outcomes
• Represent the Foundation at external meetings related to grant-making

Professional and personal qualifications

We are looking for an experienced leader (+15 years), preferably within a background in private or public sector, non-profit organisation, or a philanthropic foundation.

• Solid leadership skills with the ability to manage and inspire your department, including leading through team leaders
• Experience with leading and developing compliant operational excellence, demonstrated through a proven track record in understanding and implementing efficient operational processes and systems, as well as knowledge of compliance requirements to ensure adherence to regulations
• Track-record of successful change management and stakeholder management
• Demonstrated ability to lead change of business and administration processes in complex organisations/operations into solid new ways of working
• Experience in grant management, preferably within a foundation or philanthropic organisation, will be an advantage.
• Fluent in written and spoken English is a requirement, understanding Danish will be an advantage.

You possess strong interpersonal skills for building relationships, enabling you to build and maintain trustful and productive relationships with team members, internally in the Novo Nordisk Foundation and with external stakeholders.

You build and nurture a culture of continuous improvement and foster a collaborative and high-performing culture characterized by openness, engagement, and well-being, and ensure the team’s efforts are aligned with the Foundation’s strategic goals.

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. 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.

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.

Application

We encourage you to send your application as soon as possible and no later than 26. September 2025.
To apply, please send your CV, 1 page cover letter, and other relevant documents by clicking the “Apply now” button.

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation

Established in Denmark in 1924, the Novo Nordisk Foundation is an enterprise foundation with philanthropic objectives. The vision of the Foundation is to improve people’s health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The Foundation’s mission is to progress research and innovation in the prevention and treatment of cardiometabolic and infectious diseases as well as to advance knowledge and solutions to support a green transformation of society.

In the coming years, the Foundation will broaden its scope and increase its grants for scientific, humanitarian, and social purposes, including solving the climate crisis and developing tomorrow’s food production. Consequently, we are a growing organisation, which means new job openings and exciting opportunities for employees to be part of forming the future of the Foundation.