Associate Director, Discovery Portfolio Strategy

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

Benefits offered by this job

Long-term incentives

Benefits package

401(k)

Job summary

AbbVie in Cambridge, MA is seeking a senior portfolio manager to guide Discovery Portfolio Management, delivering data-driven insights and strategic oversight across external studies. You will synthesize complex scientific and business issues into concise recommendations and lead cross-functional governance to optimize the portfolio.

You will communicate findings through executive-level slides and collaborate across functions to drive prioritized decisions, balancing time, budget and impact

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.
• 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.

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.

Skills

Portfolio analysis

Project management

Operations

Executive communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

BS in a relevant field

MS in a relevant field

PhD in a relevant field

Job description

AbbVie in Cambridge, MA is seeking a senior portfolio manager to guide Discovery Portfolio Management, delivering data-driven insights and strategic oversight across external studies. You will synthesize complex scientific and business issues into concise recommendations and lead cross-functional governance to optimize the portfolio.

You will communicate findings through executive-level slides and collaborate across functions to drive prioritized decisions, balancing time, budget and impact