R&D Quality Transformation & Data Science Lead

AbbVie; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 142,000 - 269,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Medical/dental/vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking an Associate Director of R&D Quality Transformation and Data Science in North Chicago, IL. This role leads data-driven quality initiatives, AI/ML capabilities, and KPI-driven improvements across R&D QA, partnering with IT and cross-functional teams to advance transformation efforts and governance.

The position emphasizes statistical rigor, analytics maturity, and change management to elevate quality culture and operational performance within a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Data Science, Statistics, Biostatistics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Life Sciences, or a related discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive experience in data science, analytics, AI/ML, process improvement, transformation, or operational excellence within life sciences or another regulated industry.
• Experience supporting or leading cross-functional initiatives in pharmaceutical, medical device, combination products, research, development, clinical operations, manufacturing, or quality environments.
• Demonstrated ability to use data, analytics, and structured problem-solving to support process improvement and business decisions.
• Understanding of quality systems, compliance expectations, and transformation/change management principles in regulated environments.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a matrixed organization and influence without direct authority.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing KPI frameworks, balanced scorecards, or enterprise performance management systems.
• Strong statistical proficiency, including regression analysis, SPC/SQC, multivariate analysis, predictive modeling, and hypothesis testing.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of a focused R&D QA transformation roadmap, including analytics, AI/ML, and operational excellence initiatives anchored to organization-wide priorities, regulatory requirements, and diagnostic insights.
• Analyze survey, diagnostic, and performance data to identify trends, opportunities, and root causes, and help prioritize improvement actions targeting both quality culture and business operations.
• Lead or support cross-functional transformation projects that improve quality operations, reporting, decision-making and ways of working.
• Partner with and across R&D QA, IT, and R&D, to implement improvements and support adoption of new tools, methods, and operating models.
• Contribute to the use of advanced analytics, automation, and AI/ML-enabled solutions to improve efficiency, consistency and insight generation.
• Support development and refinement of functional KPIs and executive-level dashboards.
• Support business cases through financial modeling, scenario analysis, quantitative benchmarking, and clear articulation of strategic and operational value.
• Translate quality and operational data into clear business value narratives, including benefits, cost avoidance, and operational impact of selected improvement initiatives.
• Monitor progress, risks, dependencies, and outcomes for assigned initiatives, and provide concise status updates and recommendations to leaders and stakeholders.
• Promote collaboration, change management, continuous improvement, and capability building in digital tools, analytics, and process excellence across R&D QA.

Skills

Data science

Analytics

AI/ML

Process improvement

Transformation

Operational excellence

KPIs

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s in Data Science or related

Advanced degree preferred (MBA/MS in Analytics)

Tools

Python

R

SQL

Power BI/Tableau

Job description

AbbVie is seeking an Associate Director of R&D Quality Transformation and Data Science in North Chicago, IL. This role leads data-driven quality initiatives, AI/ML capabilities, and KPI-driven improvements across R&D QA, partnering with IT and cross-functional teams to advance transformation efforts and governance.

The position emphasizes statistical rigor, analytics maturity, and change management to elevate quality culture and operational performance within a regulated environment.