Director, Head of Molecular Discovery Technologies

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 161,000 - 305,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking a Director to lead Molecular Discovery Technologies. This role defines the strategic direction for DEL, NMR, MS-based screening, and related discovery platforms, accelerating hit discovery and enabling small-molecule and peptide programs across therapeutic areas.

The leader will drive data strategies, platform investments, and talent development while partnering across functions to shape portfolio-level lead-discovery approaches and ensure measurable impact on the pipeline.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of industry experience in lead discovery and/or molecular discovery technologies.
• Strong background in medicinal chemistry and lead discovery strategy.
• Demonstrated success leading scientific functions or platform teams in a matrixed research environment.
• Recognized scientific leader with external impact through publications, invited presentations, patents, or leadership.
• Experience applying AI/ML or advanced analytics to discovery data is preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, influencing, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the Molecular Discovery Technologies strategy to maximize portfolio impact.
• Lead MDT portfolio prioritization and resource allocation.
• Drive integrated data strategies with AI/ML-enabled approaches.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to shape future lead-discovery approaches.
• Develop long-range MDT technology, talent, and infrastructure plans.
• Establish metrics for platform performance and portfolio contribution.
• Provide scientific oversight to inform hit identification and progression decisions.
• Lead teams to solve complex scientific problems and develop fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Represent MDT as a key scientific partner on cross-functional teams.
• Establish external relationships and drive adoption of innovative technologies.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Strategic thinking

Education

PhD in chemistry or related discipline

Tools

AI/ML

Job description

Director, Head of Molecular Discovery Technologies

• Full-time
• Salary Min: 160500
• Salary Max: 305000
• Workday Global Grade: 21
• Compensation: USD 160,500 - USD 305,000 - yearly

About AbbVie

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.

Summary

We are seeking an accomplished scientific and organizational leader to serve as Head of Molecular Discovery Technologies (MDT) team. This leader will define the strategic direction of a multidisciplinary organization spanning DNA-Encoded Libraries (DEL), protein NMR, mass spectrometry-based affinity screening platform development, mass spectrometry-based structural characterization, and emerging molecular discovery technologies. Together, these capabilities accelerate hit discovery, improve hit quality, and enable small-molecule and peptide discovery programs across therapeutic areas.

The leader will report to the Head of Target Enabling Technologies organization and serve on the extended leadership team of Small Molecule Therapeutics and Platform Technologies. Partnering across functions, the leader will help shape portfolio-level lead discovery strategies and drive the evolution of lead discovery through platform innovation, integrated data strategies, and AI/ML-enabled approaches.

The role requires a strategic and collaborative scientific leader who can translate emerging technologies and data insights into scalable discovery capabilities, stronger portfolio decisions, and measurable pipeline impact, while developing talent and maintaining external scientific visibility.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the Molecular Discovery Technologies strategy to maximize portfolio impact through accelerated hit discovery and improved hit quality.
• Lead MDT portfolio prioritization and resource allocation, aligning platform deployment and investments with the highest-value discovery opportunities.
• Drive integrated data strategies that connect experimental, screening, and computational insights, leveraging AI/ML-enabled approaches to improve decision quality and discovery effectiveness
• Partner with Molecular Screening and Characterization, Computational Drug Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry, Peptide Therapeutics, and other leaders to shape future lead-discovery approaches and cross-functional technology investments.
• Develop long-range MDT technology, talent, and infrastructure plans aligned with future portfolio needs.
• Establish metrics for platform performance, portfolio contribution, and organizational effectiveness.

Scientific Leadership

• Provide scientific and strategic oversight to ensure platform-generated insights inform hit identification, prioritization, and progression decisions.
• Lead teams in solving complex scientific problems and developing fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Drive scientific rigor and decision quality while ensuring technologies translate into actionable portfolio outcomes.
• Guide the evaluation, development, and adoption of emerging molecular discovery technologies based on scientific need and potential portfolio impact.
• Represent Molecular Discovery Technologies as a key scientific partner on cross-functional teams.
• Establish and maintain external scientific relationships and drive adoption of innovative technologies and best practices that enhance discovery effectiveness and portfolio impact.

Talent and Organizational Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary organization capable of delivering sustained impact across the portfolio.
• Develop scientific and people leaders through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
• Create clear goals, performance expectations, and accountability frameworks aligned with portfolio priorities.
• Drive operational excellence, resource stewardship, and continuous improvement across all platforms.
• Foster a culture of scientific excellence, inclusion, constructive challenge, agility, cross-functional collaboration, and innovation with purpose.

• Ph.D. in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related discipline.
• 10+ years of industry experience in lead discovery and/or molecular discovery technologies.
• Strong background in medicinal chemistry and lead discovery strategy.
• Demonstrated success leading scientific functions or platform teams in a matrixed research environment.
• Recognized scientific leader with a strong external reputation demonstrated through publications, invited presentations, patents, scientific leadership, or other evidence of sustained impact in the field.
• Experience applying AI/ML or advanced analytics to discovery data is preferred.
• Excellent leadership, communication, influencing, and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience guiding platform development in DEL, NMR, mass spectrometry, or related discovery technologies.
• Demonstrated success translating new technologies into scalable discovery capabilities and portfolio outcomes.
• Experience developing scientific talent and building succession depth.
• Broad awareness of emerging molecular discovery methods and industry trends.
• Strategic thinking and functional leadership
• Scientific rigor and sound judgment
• Cross-functional influence
• Talent development and coaching
• Collaboration and relationship building
• Accountability for results
• Innovation and problem-solving

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 applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation