Director, Global Alliances - AI

About the role

The Director, Global Alliances - AI role is located in North Chicago, IL and is a hybrid position requiring at least three (3) days onsite, Tuesday through Thursday.

Major Responsibilities

• Champion AbbVie’s AI Strategic Alliances: Build and maintain trusted, productive relationships across AbbVie and with external AI partners, fostering joint problem-solving, alignment, and shared accountability.
• Lead Strategic Reviews and Governance: Manage alliance governance forums (e.g., Joint Steering Committees), assess performance against objectives, and provide recommendations at key contractual and strategic inflection points. Proactively surface risks and drive resolution in partnership with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Engage and Influence Senior Leadership: Partner with senior leaders across Global Alliances, AI Strategy, R&D, and Corporate Strategy to shape partnership direction, inform enterprise decisions, and resolve complex issues with agility.
• Serve as a Strategic Advisor: Provide forward-looking perspectives on alliance health, opportunities, and risk mitigation, helping leadership maximize value across AbbVie’s partnership portfolio.
• Support Business Development and Due Diligence: Collaborate with AI Strategy, Search & Evaluation, and Business Development teams to support diligence, integration planning, and early alliance design. Contribute to AbbVie partnership forums and external engagement activities.
• Optimize and Evolve Partnerships: Identify opportunities to refine alliance terms, negotiate amendments, and improve operating models. Implement best-practice processes, tools, and communication frameworks to support consistency and operational excellence.
• Promote a Strong Partnering Culture: Advance best-in-class alliance practices, mentor colleagues, and represent AbbVie externally as a trusted and thoughtful partner in the biopharma and technology ecosystem.

Requirements

• 5-10 years of experience in alliance management, external innovation, corporate ventures, or pharmaceutical development, with demonstrated exposure to AI-enabled technologies and partnerships.
• Strong understanding of drug R&D processes across development stages.
• Familiarity with contractual governance preferred.
• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in a relevant scientific, computational, or legal discipline (e.g., computer science, data science, computational biology, PharmD, PhD, MD, JD).
• Ability to engage credibly with AI/ML partners and internal experts, translate technical concepts into business context, and manage complex, technology-driven collaborations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to connect enterprise strategy to execution and communicate clearly with senior stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, negotiation, and relationship-building skills; proven ability to influence in a matrixed, global environment.

Benefits

• Coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), and a 401(k) plan.
• Participation in AbbVie’s long-term incentive programs.