Director, External Innovation, Strategy

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 – immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care – and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.

The main focus for the Director, External Innovation, Strategy will be formulating strategies and creating new sources of growth for AbbVie, by leveraging the evolving innovation ecosystem in China to accelerate and expand internal innovation and unlock external opportunities​. The scope of activities encompasses building fact bases regarding relevant topics, driving internal and external discussions to align opinions and wisdom from a wide range of functions, and formulating/implementing strategies concerning any types of assets (platforms, individual drug candidates, pipelines, and acquisition targets) at any stages in development (discovery- to commercial-stage).

Responsibilities:

 The Director, External Innovation, Strategy will

• Closely monitor, interpret, and predict the evolving landscape and trends in therapeutics innovation in China and globally. Proactively search for, identify, and evaluate potential strategic opportunities that AbbVie could leverage to further enhance both internal and external innovations.

• Lead cross-functional discussions and alignment on our perspectives, needs, and potential actions towards the strategic opportunities that emerge from the above, including accelerating internal R&D at lower cost and higher efficiency, by leveraging local biotech, CROs, patient resources, and other capabilities in China, while ensuring scrutiny on quality.

• Validate and pressure-test hypothesis of value generation for AbbVie and global patients based on new trends and programs in innovation and design implementation strategies via working closely with key stakeholders across functions both at AbbVie and external organizations.

• Lead affiliate-level and global initiatives that foster the dialogue with potential partners from China, such as AbbVie-branded partnering days, local and regional partnering events. Lead cross-functional preparation workstreams that span event objectives, event strategy, stakeholder engagement, implementation logistics, public affairs, government affairs, corporate strategy, AbbVie Ventures, and vendor management.

• Track and communicate the status of active assessments and strategy processes, including (1) information of key internal stakeholders on a timely basis (2) delivery of oral and written progress updates for executive-level audiences, and (3) timely capturing of interactions, events, correspondence and information materials in AbbVie’s information management systems.

• Network with existing and potential future partners from the innovation ecosystem in China, to ensure awareness of AbbVie’s strategic priorities for partnering and key capabilities as a partner to entities from China, BD objectives.

• Collaborate as needed with AbbVie Ventures, for the strategic planning of potential future growth in China as well as sourcing and scientific/technical assessment of equity investment opportunities.

• Facilitate creation of institutional memory for strategic opportunities by providing clear, concise assessments and recommendations for future reference. Fully leverage new and existing external and internal opportunity management tools to support the operations of the growing S&E group.

Key Stakeholders:

Internal: S&E Global Team, Global BD&A team, broader CBSO teams, Transactions Legal, R&D, China Affiliate organization, Global and International Commercial organization, AbbVie Ventures, Executive Management.

External: CEOs, CBOs, heads of R&D of existing and potential future partner organizations, partners of major venture funds and P/E funds.

• 7-10 years of strategy, management consulting, or business development work experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries required / 6+ with masters / 5+ with PhD.

• Proven track record in driving complex workstreams involving a large number of senior-level stakeholders, reconciling differences in perspectives, and building consensus/momentum in large organizations.

• Strong leadership skills and project management experience to lead/manage multifunctional teams to evaluate and interpret complex new trends, formulate strategic opportunities, and produce high quality analyses. Ability to drive projects to deliver timely results and follow through on commitments.

• Master or Ph.D. degree in related scientific field.  Overseas education background is a plus.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a 0 to 1 environment. Capable of quickly building up network and collaborating with key stakeholders / potential partners internal and externally.

• Highly motivated with strong organizational and communication skills, excellent work ethic, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.

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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