Executive Director Discovery, Pipeline Immunology - AbbVie

AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn. 

Abbvie’s Immunology Discovery Research has significantly changed its approach to target identification and validation, leading to a flourishing pipeline of first-in-class and novel best-in class (e.g. bispecific) drug candidates moving fast toward clinical translation. The Executive Director Immunology Portfolio Acceleration will be responsible for accelerating and implementing the fast growing late stage Immunology discovery pipeline.  This leadership position will require skills and experience in the discovery and early clinical development of immunology drugs and a mindset that enables close cross functional collaboration with peers in related functions, including Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine, chemistry, pre-clinical safety and clinical development.

Responsibilities:

• Sets an Immunology-specific portfolio strategy and leads a team of project directors that act as the epicenters of disease state knowledge and drive compound specific pre-clinical discovery programs to Ph1 in collaboration with development sciences and clinical colleagues. Setting and executing aggressive and innovative Immunology strategies with consideration and evaluation of both internal pipeline and external licensing opportunities while ensuring discovery programs effectively advance through the different stages of Discovery Research (LO – GLP-Tox).
• Works in close collaboration with colleagues in early Discovery Research, Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine, chemistry, pre-clinical safety and clinical development to drive pipeline acceleration and innovation.
• Establishes and leads a group of Translational scientists (MD/PhDs) to increase translational science mindset in Discovery Research and to ensure portfolio readiness for transition into the clinical Development pipeline.
• Responsible for external collaborations and partnerships where applicable with regard to increasing productivity of Immunology Discovery pipeline (improved cycle times; use of appropriate technology and automation, where appropriate; applying stringent scientific standards) by implementation and maintenance of transformative clinical-academic opportunities, state-of-the-art IT capabilities and by outsourcing essential, but lower risk, activities.
• Responsible for ensuring effective project leadership and strong discovery science within Immunology by hiring and mentoring top talent for the Project Director and Senior MD positions.
• In collaboration with the VP and Head Immunology Discovery Research prioritizes program goals and milestones within the context of AbbVie’s therapeutic area strategy, resource availability, available and needed technologies, competitive dynamics, and corporate goals.
• Demonstrates and models appropriate flexibility and adaptability to deal with a varying portfolio mix and funding fluctuations, including a strategic use of all sites, CROs/external collaborations and increased employee cross-training. Highly dynamic internal and external environments.
• Responsible for readiness of Discovery assets to go into innovative trial designs (monotherapy and /or combo strategies). Partners closely with leadership from Clinical development for design of and execution of innovative Ph1 trials.

• Responsible for recruiting, retaining, and mentoring high potential leaders, and ensuring that a talent pool exists for a dynamic and changing organization. Effectively network with internal and external opinion leaders. Act as an ambassador for AbbVie science to the external scientific, medical, investor, and media communities.

• Understands the scientific/clinical/regulatory/commercial environment of immunology and uses this knowledge to develop a competitive and innovative Immunology development vision and strategy leading to successful commercialization
• Together with Head of Immunology Discovery Research oversees strategic Resource planning/allocation for programs together with Project Directors, Project Management, Finance, and relevant functions.

• MD; MD/PhD preferred with a minimum of 12+ years’ experience in Immunology Discovery / Development.
• Must have deep knowledge and demonstrable track record of taking molecules from early through late discovery, through pre-clinical development and delivered into early clinical development.
• Experience in experimental medicine-type approaches to understand a drug’s MOA and potential across different immunological indications strongly preferred.
• Strong leader with inherent theoretical and practical knowledge to lead the science while supporting R&D’s pipeline of programs.
• Recognized expertise in Immunology and one of the the following disease areas, Rheumatology, gastro-enterology, dermatology and/or fibrosing disorders. 
• Proven track-record of progressing a range of drug modalities that could include small molecules, biologics and genetic medicines.
• Sound understanding of the overall drug development process with particular focus on interaction between the various disciplines (scientific and commercial); understanding the international regulatory environment and global development process is helpful.
• Strong cultural leadership, communication, networking, negotiation and presentation skills.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills and executive presence. Ability to clearly articulate a compelling Immunology TA vision to a wide range of constituencies.

The Ideal Candidate

The selected candidate will be a highly respected scientific leader that is experienced, agile and who is constantly looking to improve the business with a great balance of superior technical, operational and leadership skills. At the same time, must be an excellent communicator, strong collaborator who can handle a large volume of stakeholder management and able to integrate well with a professional team environment that is cohesive, dynamic and results oriented. In addition, will be a strategic, “go-to” Immunology Discovery Research leader with a proven track record of innovation, success, and tangible accomplishments.

Personal Characteristics

Mission-Oriented/Leads with Integrity

Keeps the mission and strategy of AbbVie at the front of mind in all their activities.  Recognizes that the ultimate goal is to create life-altering drugs that can be tested in patients thorugh innovative and agile approaches, keeping integrity as the key guiding principle.  Sees how this role fits into that larger vision.

Agile/Future-Oriented

Thrives in ambiguity and able to look at processes from an overarching viewpoint to see what can be optimized; be prepared to drive that optimization. Able to make decisions without complete information.  Takes the long view as projects are not measured in months but years.  Able to learn from mistakes and “fail fast” while maintaining a positive mindset in leading the team.  Continuously scans the environment for technologies and approaches which expand AbbVie’s capacity to deliver clinical trials and potentially accelerate the time to market.  Allocates resources efficiently (e.g., uses technology to accomplish tasks formerly performed by humans) to drive competitive advantage and thinks beyond the status quo to foster innovation.

Challenge the Status Quo/Ensure Feasibility

Brings a positive attitude while being able to challenge partners and be assertive, when necessary, around project timelines, finances, and scope; stretches clinical development operations to deliver more, while also serving as the gatekeeper for new initiatives and studies when it comes to feasibility, regulatory issues, and prioritization within overall budget and resource constraints.

Resource Management

Seamlessly manages multiple and competing resources and product streams with a focus on financial health and delivering projects on or under budget.  Able to allocate resources with ease in the face of changing priorities.  Willing to focus on innovation and streamlining processes as well as “doing more with less.”

Stakeholder Management

Proactively responds to the needs of others and makes their own needs and business strategy known.  Works across the organization with leadership to fully integrate key stakeholders, including but not limited to, Discovery, Genome Research Center, Precision Medicine, Chemistry, Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine, Clinical Development, and Search and Evaluation. Seeks alignment within the organization to deliver outputs and achieve overall strategy.  Externally approaches stakeholders with customer service orientation to be perceived as a clinical study partner of choice.

Expert Communicator/Talent Leader

Able to translate difficult concepts into actionable, simplified steps and deliver information in a succinct and digestible manner to colleagues at all levels.  Focused on minimizing confusion between groups working on the science itself and those in commercial roles; able to flex communication skills across a matrixed organization.  Gives guidance and inspiration to their direct reports and teammates. Engenders trust throughout the organization and seeks to grow and stretch key talent for future possibilities. 

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

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• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.​

• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​

• This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs. ​

• This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs​

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Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law. 

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives, serving our community and embracing diversity and inclusion.  It is AbbVie’s policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected group status.

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