Associate Director, Discovery Portfolio Management Strategic Planner, Discovery

Allergan; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie in Cambridge, MA seeks a Discovery Portfolio Management lead to provide strategic oversight, portfolio analytics, and actionable insights across external studies. The role evaluates portfolio composition, monitors execution, and measures KPIs such as cycle time and throughput to inform governance and decision making.

You will partner across functions to support prioritization and continuous improvement, develop executive-level presentations, and translate complex scientific, technical,

Qualifications

• Experience in drug discovery within biotech/pharma.
• Strong ability to analyze data and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Experience reporting KPIs (cycle time, success rate, portfolio performance).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to influence across functions without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Develop data-driven insights to support Discovery Research operations and leadership decisions.
• Communicate through executive-level slides and presentations.
• Synthesize complex scientific, technical, analytical, and business issues into concise insights.
• Anticipate challenges and propose proactive strategies to address portfolio, operational, and business needs.
• Balance quality, timing, budget, and strategic considerations to support high-impact decisions across the portfolio.
• Analyze portfolio composition and performance to identify trends, gaps, risks, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Track, interpret, and report KPIs including cycle time, success rates, throughput, budget performance, and other metrics.
• Investigate functional pain points and propose practical solutions, supporting or leading implementation as needed.
• Partner effectively across functions to align stakeholders and drive execution.
• Leverage external intelligence related to technologies and competitors to inform portfolio strategy.

Skills

Portfolio analysis

Project management

Operations

Data analysis

Executive presentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Education

BS + 10+ years

MS + 7+ years

PhD + 5+ years

Job description

Company Description

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 including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Job Description

Purpose: This role supports Discovery Portfolio Management by providing strategic oversight, portfolio analytics, and actionable insights across external studies and related initiatives. The position is responsible for evaluating portfolio composition, monitoring execution performance, and measuring key KPIs such as cycle time, success rates, throughput, and other indicators of portfolio health. The role partners across functions to support prioritization, governance, and continuous improvement through strong analysis, communication, and executive-level presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop data-driven insights and recommendations to support Discovery Research operations and leadership decision-making, including portfolio prioritization, governance, and operational decision-making.
• Serve as a strong communicator and writer, developing clear summaries, leadership updates, and executive-level slides and presentations.
• Synthesize complex scientific, technical, analytical, and business issues into concise, actionable insights.
• Anticipate challenges and recommend proactive strategies to address portfolio, operational, and business needs.
• Balance quality, timing, budget, and strategic considerations to support high-impact decisions across the portfolio.
• Analyze portfolio composition and performance to identify trends, gaps, risks, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Track, interpret, and report key KPIs, including cycle time, success rates, throughput, budget performance, and other relevant portfolio metrics.
• Investigate functional pain points and propose practical solutions, supporting or leading implementation efforts as needed.
• Partner effectively across functions and with indirect authority to align stakeholders and drive execution.
• Leverage external intelligence related to technologies, tools, and competitors to inform portfolio strategy and identify opportunities for innovation.

In addition to Cambridge, MA, this opportunity may also be based out of Lake County, IL or Worcester, MA.

Qualifications

• BS & 10+ years, MS & 7+ years, PHD & 5+ years industry experience in Drug Discovery, ideally within a biotech or pharmaceutical company.
• Strong background in portfolio analysis, project management, operations, or related scientific/business discipline.
• Understanding of operational strategies for early-stage drug discovery programs’ evolution through the drug development lifecycle.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, identify trends, and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Experience measuring and reporting KPIs, with exposure to cycle time, success rate, and portfolio performance metrics preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to create executive-level presentations and slides.
• Ability to work effectively across functions and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and complex initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve complex scientific, technical, analytical, and business issues.

Additional Information

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

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Companybelieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at the timeof this posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, andwemayultimatelypaymore or less than the posted range. This range may bemodifiedin thefuture.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick),medical/dental/visioninsurance and 401(k) to eligibleemployees.
• This job is eligible toparticipatein our long-term incentiveprograms.

Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.The amount and availability of any bonus,commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employeeremainsin the Company's sole andabsolutediscretion unless and until paid andmay bemodifiedat the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent withapplicable law.

AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html