Director, Search & Evaluation Project Management - Neuroscience

AbbVie; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 190,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Long-term incentives

401(k)

Job summary

AbbVie is hiring a Director-level role within the Search and Evaluation (S&E) group. You will ensure seamless cross-functional execution of TA-aligned strategies in partnership with S&E leads and teams.

The role emphasizes handling external partnerships, due diligence processes, and governance across the deal portfolio, with strong leadership and communication skills required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred (PhD/MBA/PharmD).
• 5–7+ years in pharma business development or drug diligence.
• Experience in neuroscience strategy or diligence is a plus.
• Strong scientific expertise aligned with AbbVie therapeutic areas.

Responsibilities

• Support S&E lead on active diligences and governance.
• Coordinate cross-functional diligences with external partners and SMEs.
• Contribute to strategic discussions from program management perspective.
• Lead cross-functional diligence efforts and risk management.
• Drive alignment and structured decision-making across deals.
• Monitor team performance and share learnings for consistency.
• Navigate governance processes for deal progression.
• Collaborate with S&E operations on external partnering events.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Communication skills

Program management

Due diligence

Cross-functional collaboration

Pharma industry experience

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree (PhD/MBA/PharmD) preferred

Job description

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.

The Search and Evaluation (S&E) group actively supports the global Business Development goals by executing on strategic opportunities from academic institutions, biotech/ pharma companies and venture firms for potential research collaborations, in-licensing/ out-licensing assets, venture investments, and company acquisitions. The group is responsible for leading the global search efforts for assets of high strategic value aligning with the needs of AbbVie Research & Development organization’s pipeline goals, and conducting thorough technical due diligence to ensure an in-depth understanding of the science behind the science behind each of the those opportunities. As a Director of S&E Project Management Neuroscience, your role is to ensure seamless cross functional execution of our Therapeutic Area (TA) aligned strategies in partnership with S&E TA Leads and team.

Responsibilities:

1. Actively supports the Search and Evaluation lead for all active diligences.
2. Serves as a core member of the Search and Evaluation team and coordinates activities and deliverables
3. Actively contributes to cross-functional discussions from both a program management and strategic perspective
4. Leads and coordinates the of the cross-functional diligences with external partners and internal subject matter experts
5. Proactively identifies, communicates, and manages risks across the deal portfolio.
6. Drives cross-functional alignment and structures discussions to enable effective decision-making
7. Monitors and assesses team performance; shares learnings to drive consistency across the portfolio.
8. Ensures smooth navigation of governance processes and effective use of each forum for deal progression.
9. Works closely with S&E operations on all aspects of the external partnering events scheduling.

• Bachelors or equivalent degree required. Advanced degree (PhD, MBA, PharmD) preferred
• Minimum years of experience - 8+ with Bachelors, 6+ with Masters and 4+ with PHD
• 5-7+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry in drug development, business development, or related areas
• Experience in Neuroscience research, strategy, or diligence preferred but not required
• Strong scientific expertise in one or more of AbbVie’s key therapeutic areas, should have worked as key scientific member on drug development projects
• Experience managing partnering/diligence processes and governance for deal approvals
• Strong strategic thinking, leadership, and communication skills
• Knowledge of program management practices in business development and Search andEvaluation
• This is a hybrid role requiring at least three (3) days onsite in the AbbVie offices.

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

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
• This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable 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.

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