Risk Management Lead

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; North Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking a Risk Management Lead to oversee risk-based quality management across global clinical trials. You will lead strategic planning, implement risk mitigation, and partner with study teams to foster proactive risk cultures.

The role requires 10+ years in clinical operations, strong RBQM expertise, and ability to influence cross-functional teams. This hybrid role is onsite Tue-Thu, with local candidates in Lake County, IL; Irvine, CA; or Florham Park, NJ.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years in clinical operations with risk management or RBQM experience.
• Strong knowledge of risk management methodologies and documentation.
• Ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive change.
• Deep understanding of ICH/GCP and regulatory standards.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end RBQM adoption within study teams.
• Develop and implement risk management strategies across programs.
• Facilitate RAMP meetings and maintain RBQM documentation.
• Define KRIs and risk controls with cross-functional teams.
• Ensure alignment with study plans and monitoring strategies.
• Coach teams in risk mindset and process maturity.
• Analyze quality metrics and risk signals for continuous improvement.
• Support inspection readiness and regulatory compliance.
• Lead RBQM process optimization and knowledge sharing.

Skills

Risk management

RBQM expertise

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Cross-functional influence

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Data visualization tools

Statistical software

Job description

• Compensation: USD 124,500 - USD 236,500 - yearly

Company 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.

Job Description

The Risk Management Lead (RML) serves as the subject matter expert for risk management and central monitoring in AbbVie’s Risk-Based Quality Management (RBQM) model. The RML leads the strategic planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of risk management practices across global clinical trials, partnering closely with study teams and Central Monitoring colleagues to cultivate a proactive and sustainable risk-mitigation culture in support of high-quality study execution and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead embedding and adoption of the end-to-end RBQM model within and across clinical study teams.
• Partner with cross-functional leads to develop and implement risk management strategies across therapeutic areas/programs.
• Facilitate Risk Assessment and Mitigation Planning (RAMP) meetings; prepare, review, and update RAMP documentation throughout the study lifecycle.
• Guide cross-functional teams in identifying critical data/processes, defining relevant Key Risk Indicators (KRIs), and establishing effective risk controls and response plans.
• Ensure alignment of risk discussions with study plans and global monitoring strategies.
• Coach and influence teams in risk mindset, methodology, and process maturity while fostering organizational capabilities.
• Analyze quality metrics/data and risk signals across study, regional, and site levels to drive continuous improvement and early intervention.
• Monitor risk mitigation execution, track issue trends, and ensure proper documentation, escalation, and communication of risks/issues.
• Support inspection readiness, audit response, and regulatory compliance, in collaboration with Clinical Process Compliance and Quality Assurance.
• Lead and contribute to RBQM process optimization, knowledge sharing, and best practice dissemination across studies and therapeutic areas.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, risk-based, or related discipline; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years’ comprehensive experience in clinical operations, with proven expertise in risk management, RBQM, or quality management.
• Excellent working knowledge of risk management methodologies (including risk identification, assessment, mitigation, and documentation).
• Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional teams, senior management, and drive change management initiatives.
• Deep understanding of ICH/GCP, regulatory standards, and clinical trial processes.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills; proficiency with data analysis/visualization tools.
• Exceptional communication, documentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to lead in a dynamic global environment with complex, multi-jurisdictional studies.

This is a hybrid based role working onsite T-TH. Candidates must be local to Lake County, IL; Irvine, CA or Florham Park, NJ and work onsite 3 days per week.

Additional Information

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 employer 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.