Senior Director, Safety Data Sciences

AbbVie Inc.; North Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

AbbVie is seeking a Head of Safety Data Sciences to lead the global pharmacovigilance data science function within Global Patient Safety. You will shape signal detection, surveillance strategy and modern analytics across AbbVie's portfolio.

You will manage a 40+ member team of physicians, pharmacists and health professionals, drive AI-enabled safety analytics, ensure regulatory compliance, and mentor a diverse international group to advance safety science and decision making.

Qualifications

• Advanced pharmacovigilance expertise and leadership experience at a global level.
• Ability to influence senior leadership across R&D and safety functions.
• Strong relationship management and communication skills with emotional intelligence.
• Deep understanding of PV regulations and safety data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead a global team of 40+ physicians, pharmacists and health professionals for signal detection and surveillance.
• Set strategic direction for signal detection ensuring proactive, scalable, and scientifically robust approaches.
• Integrate diverse safety data sources (trial data, spontaneous reports, real-world data, EHRs).
• Champion analytics, automation and AI-enabled methods while maintaining regulatory compliance.
• Advance signal management through tools, training and mentorship in safety surveillance.
• Ensure compliance with evolving global PV regulations and internal guardrails.
• Mentor a diverse, multidisciplinary team and promote innovation in safety science.
• Partner with TA Heads to provide cross-functional SDS support for therapeutic areas.
• Deliver major pharmacovigilance commitments (safety assessments, regulatory responses, PSURs, PADERs).
• Drive continuous process improvement in surveillance and data analysis.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Pharmacovigilance expertise

Mentoring & People development

Education

MD/PhD/PharmD (advanced degree)

Job description

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

Purpose

The Head of Safety Data Sciences provides strategic,scientificand operational leadership for the Safety Data Sciences function within Global Patient Safety. The role is designed for an accomplished signal detection and surveillance leader who combines deep pharmacovigilanceexpertisewith a forward-thinking, technology-enabled mindset. TheHead of SDSwill advance modern, data-driven approaches to safety surveillance and signal management across the AbbVie portfolio, including the thoughtful and responsible use of automation,analyticsand AIhelping to drive AbbVie's mission to deliver compassionate and innovative treatments that enhance patients' quality of life.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a global team of 40+ physicians, pharmacistsand healthcare professionals accountable for signal detection, safetysurveillanceand aggregate safety data analysis across the AbbVie portfolio, fostering accountability, scientific rigor,curiosityand mutual commitment.

• Set the strategic direction for signal detection and surveillance, ensuring approaches are proactive,scalableand scientifically robust across development and marketed products.

• Bring deepexpertisein diverse safety data sources, including clinical trial data, spontaneous adverse event reports, real-world data, literature, electronic healthrecordsand preclinical findings, and guide the team in integrating these sources toidentify, evaluate and contextualize potential signals.

• Champion forward-thinking methods for the analysis and interpretation of safety data, including exploratory analytics, advanced visualization,automationand AI-enabled capabilities, while ensuring that all approachesremaincompliant with global pharmacovigilance regulations and AbbVie guardrails.

• Continuously advance signal management capabilities through fit-for-purpose tools, technology,trainingand mentorship, building organizational confidence in responsible AI and digital transformation in safety surveillance.

• Ensure strong understanding of fast-evolving global PV regulations and translate external expectations into effective internal processes, procedures and standards thatmaintaincompliance and support high-quality safety decision-making.

• Mentor and develop a diverse, multidisciplinary team, promoting professional growth, inclusive leadership, scientificexcellenceand a mindset of innovation.

• Partner with TA Heads to ensureappropriate cross-functional Safety Data Sciences support for each therapeutic area within Global Patient Safety.

• Partner with the Safety Data Architect team to deliver seamless,optimizedand technology-enabled signal management approaches for development products, including aligned strategies, clear communication channels for ongoing monitoring and protocols for safety issue escalation and resolution.

• Lead the SDS team in the development and execution of major pharmacovigilance deliverables, including safety assessments, regulatory responses, risk management plans, PSURs and PADERs, in alignment with TA safety physician strategy.

• Drive continuous process improvement across surveillance, signalmanagementand aggregate data analysis, using data,technologyand stakeholder feedback to improve quality,efficiencyand consistency.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree required (MD, PharmD, PhD) with15+years of experience in Pharmacovigilance and Drug Safety– in industry/academiaand comprehensive expertise in product lifecycle from first-in-human studies to post-marketing preferred.

• At least8years of leadership experience managing global teams, with demonstrated success in driving impactful change preferred.

• Strong ability to lead diverse teams and influence senior leadership across global patient safety, R&D and Abbvie, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence in safety science and safety data analysis and interpretation.

• Excellent skills in relationship management and communication, underpinned by emotional intelligence

• Thorough understanding of global PV regulations, risk management, labelling and the interconnectedness of safety science, real world data anddrug development.

• Strong and seasoned leader able to lead, motivate and inspire a diverse and teamlocated acrossmultiple geographical locations.

Additional Information

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 thisposting 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 be wages 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 anduntil 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 only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

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