Director, Computational HitGen / LeadGen Team Lead

About the Role

This position offers an opportunity to make innovative contributions that will define how AbbVie leverages AI-native drug discovery across our small molecule portfolio. The role reports to the Head of Computational Drug Discovery (CDD) and will lead the computational HitGen/LeadGen (HGLG) team. The successful candidate will implement and enable close collaboration between the HGLG team and drug discovery partners across AbbVie. A strong track record leveraging modern computational and property-based drug design tools to deliver programs across the small molecule drug discovery pipeline is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic thought leadership to amplify CDD’s impact on the small molecule pipeline:
  • Lead development of cutting-edge methods and workflows to address AbbVie’s small molecule portfolio needs, including predicting binding affinities, pharmacological properties (PK parameters, etc.), and rapidly sampling chemical spaces.
  • Work closely with small-molecule leadership teams to identify and address gaps where computational predictions are needed.
  • Advance drug discovery expertise across CDD and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams from R&D and Information Research.
• Direct activities of the HGLG Team to enable program-level decision making:
  • Provide leadership and guidance to deliver computational tools and workflows for achieving desirable hit/lead criteria across AbbVie’s early-stage small molecule portfolio.
  • Ensure alignment across functions and with broader AI-native drug discovery strategies.
  • Guide team members in benchmarking experiments to evaluate model performance and domain applicability.
  • Establish processes for selecting approaches that best suit project needs.
• Build CDD’s reputation for impact:
  • Proactively demonstrate leadership by providing expert advice and shared knowledge to direct reports, peers, and senior management.
  • Present program updates and research strategies to functional and non-functional leaders, as well as partners.
  • Maintain awareness of emerging literature and science, and author scientific disclosures/publications.
  • Maintain a scientific presence outside AbbVie through publications and conference abstracts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in a science-related field with typically >18 years of related work; Master’s Degree or equivalent with typically >16 years of related work; or PhD in Science or related field with typically 10+ years of related work experience.
• Demonstrated success in coaching, mentoring, and people management.
• Experience setting and driving strategy in the context of leading a global team.
• Highly organized and self-directed, with experience leading multiple complex research programs or initiatives.
• Knowledge and experience in modern computational approaches for drug discovery.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, critical evaluation, and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with demonstrated ability to think critically and creatively.
• Proven team leadership and management abilities, including mentoring scientific personnel with diverse backgrounds.
• Highly collaborative, team-oriented, and considerate of others' needs.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with diverse groups internally and externally.
• Ability to create an inclusive environment where diverse ideas and viewpoints are valued.

Benefits

• Comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick).
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Eligibility to participate in long-term incentive programs.