Head of Mergers & Acquisitions

Interested in a career that matters?


 At Novonesis, we believe innovation and strategic growth are essential to creating a better future through biology. We are looking for an experienced M&A leader to play a pivotal role in shaping our inorganic growth agenda and driving high-impact strategic initiatives across the business.

As part of a highly visible corporate function, you will work closely with Executive Vice Presidents, senior leadership, and cross-functional stakeholders worldwide to identify, evaluate, and execute transformative acquisition opportunities. This is a strategic global role with direct exposure to executive decision-making and long-term value creation.

The Role & Your Impact

In this role, you will lead and execute complex M&A activities that support Novonesis' growth ambitions. You will act as a trusted strategic advisor to senior leaders, combining analytical excellence, commercial insight, and strong stakeholder management to drive successful transactions and business outcomes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the global M&A strategy in line with corporate growth objectives and Novonesis’ strategic direction.
• Partner with Executive Vice Presidents to identify, prioritize, and assess strategic acquisition, partnership, and investment opportunities.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, ensuring M&A priorities support divisional and enterprise objectives.
• Drive end-to-end transaction execution, including target screening, valuation, due diligence, negotiation, and deal closing.
• Build robust financial models, scenario analyses, and risk assessments to support investment decisions.
• Facilitate collaboration across Legal, Finance, HR, Operations, and other key functions throughout the M&A lifecycle.

What You’ll Need to Be Successful

Required qualifications

• Master's degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of experience within M&A, Corporate Development, Investment Banking, Private Equity, or a similar strategic advisory environment.
• Demonstrated success leading complex cross-border transactions.
• Strong expertise in financial modeling, valuation methodologies, and scenario planning.
• Experience navigating matrix organizations and collaborating with senior stakeholders across functions and geographies.
• Exceptional negotiation and deal-making capabilities.
• Fluent English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Key competencies

• Strategic and analytical mindset with the ability to move seamlessly between high-level strategy and detailed analysis.
• Strong commercial acumen and business judgment.
• Outstanding stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and changing market conditions.
• High integrity and sound decision-making capabilities.
• Collaborative leadership style with a focus on delivering results through others.

Additional Skills & Interests We Value

• Experience in life sciences, biotechnology, ingredients, industrial biotechnology, or related sectors.
• Exposure to post-merger integration programs and value realization initiatives.
• Experience presenting business cases to executive committees and boards.
• International experience working across cultures and regions.
• Interest in long-term strategic development and corporate transformation.

What We Offer

At Novonesis, you will have the opportunity to contribute directly to the company's strategic growth agenda and work on some of the most impactful decisions shaping our future.

We offer:

• A highly visible role with significant executive exposure.
• The opportunity to influence major strategic investments and acquisitions globally.
• Collaboration with talented colleagues across multiple disciplines and geographies.
• A purpose-driven culture focused on innovation, sustainability, and growth.
• Professional development opportunities and continuous learning.
• A collaborative environment where diverse perspectives are valued and encouraged.

Ways of Working

This is a global role with extensive interaction across regions, functions, and senior leadership teams. You will operate in a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment, partnering closely with stakeholders across Legal, Finance, HR, Operations, and the Executive Leadership Team.

The position offers flexibility through a hybrid working model, while also requiring a strong presence during critical transaction phases and key strategic discussions. Periodic international travel may be required to support due diligence activities, negotiations, stakeholder engagement, and transaction execution. The nature of M&A work means priorities can shift quickly, requiring adaptability, resilience, and the ability to perform effectively in dynamic, high-stakes situations.

Relevant Information

Application deadline: August 31st 2026

Contact person: Talent Acquisition Sourcing Specialist Marie Hvidt - Mhvi@novonesis.com

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we've gotten so far. And it’s how we'll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless. If our purpose resonates with you, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore other openings

If this position isn’t the right fit, you may still find other opportunities with us. You’re welcome to explore open roles or create a job agent to stay connected with future opportunities at novonesis.com/Career