Senior Director, Analytical Research

About the role

The Senior Director will lead the Synthetic Molecule (SM) Analytical R&D organization in Lake County supporting AbbVie's innovative and unique early stage pipeline which includes small molecule, peptides, ADCs, APCs, LNP, and future modalities paired with formulation development support for conventional and complex formulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and talent development for > 50 highly skilled analytical and pharmaceutical scientists at the AbbVie Abbott Park, North Chicago, and Ludwigshafen Germany sites
• Define and communicate industry-leading analytical strategies for complex modalities
• Responsible for development, validation and transfer of analytical methods aligned with global strategies
• Establish industry-leading analytical characterization capabilities to support process development, formulation design and comparability
• Drive fundamental understanding of CQAs, degradation mechanisms and product/excipient interactions
• Manage departmental budget, analytical laboratories and equipment
• Balance resources, resolve issues and achieve target timing for pipeline projects and key strategic initiatives
• Drive technical excellence and innovations in science that improve the capabilities and productivity of the organization
• Work collaboratively across R&D and Operations to align and influence a broad range of development strategies that directly support drug development programs
• Manage and develop scientific talent across multiple disciplines and/or projects to address current and future business needs
• Ensure scientific excellence and foster functional, scientific, and professional development of staff
• Identify, evaluate, and propose both internal and external collaborations to drive scientific innovation and shared learning
• Accountable for compliance with Environmental Health and Safety regulations for the group
• Solve difficult and highly complex technical issues in an evolving regulatory climate

Requirements

• PhD with at least 15 years of relevant pharma/biotech industry experience or master's degree with at least 20 years of pharma/biotech experience
• Proven experience leading an Analytical development organization with a range of experience levels and scientific disciplines
• Demonstrated record of success leading strategic initiatives and new technology evaluation/implementation
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience motivating and maintaining positive morale of highly skilled technical individuals and teams in an environment where compliance with standard procedures is required
• Solid understanding of the various scientific disciplines needed for therapeutic development (including analytical, drug substance development, drug product development, combination product development, manufacturing, QA, supply chain, regulatory)
• Strong negotiating, influencing, and leadership skills
• Entrepreneurial thinker capable of driving innovative ideas and making smart business decisions

Qualifications

• Team size: 50+
• Number of programs supported: 20+
• Recent additional responsibilities: peptides, LNP

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, and 401(k).

Pay

$206,500 - $393,000 USD

Schedule

On-site presence is required. Employees who are site/office-based and can occasionally perform their role virtually work both in the office and remotely, following the policies and regulations in place at their location. US Employees must be in the office on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with flexibility to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays. Three days in the office is the minimum; some individuals or teams may require more in-office days due to meetings, business/project needs or their role.