Company Description

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.

Job Description

This leader is responsible for leading, overseeing and guiding the development, implementation and execution of strategic internal and external R&D communications programs. The primary role is to drive the consistent and compelling positioning of AbbVie’s R&D across channels – including developing and driving unique executive thought leadership programs that elevate the voice of our leaders, frame AbbVie’s business priorities with select internal and external stakeholders, and builds confidence and trust in AbbVie’s pipeline and brand. In addition, this leader will be responsible for developing communications strategies that support strategic initiatives important to R&D and external innovation efforts. This role reports to the Head of Pipeline and External Innovation Communications.

Seeking the following core skills:

Scientific acumen to understand complex concepts and translate for target audiences and channels
Business acumen to appropriately frame the why and contextualize communications priorities that strategically align to business priorities
High professional competency to provide strategic counsel to executives on communication approaches and personal styles
Expert understanding of internal and external content and channel strategies, employee engagement, and change management
Understands how to operate with an enterprise mindset
Proactively seeks out opportunities to maximize impact of communications
Ability to breakdown silos to nurture strong cross-functional partnership
Models leadership ways of working that foster collaboration, creativity and collegiality
Strong sense of accountability of direct and indirect team members, and associated communications programming of the team

Qualifications

Basic requirements needed:

Minimum of 15+ years of integrated communications experience required
Previous work in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry required
Demonstrates expertise in developing and executing insight-driven, strategic and measurable internal and external communications programs
Proven track record of working with senior executives, demonstrates high-quality executive presence
Ability to provide strategic counsel for a variety of communications scenarios and to a variety of internal and external stakeholders
Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, as well as understanding of production processes
Demonstrates growth mindset, self-motivated, and ability to see bigger picture beyond the immediate task
Demonstrates initiative, creativity, analytical and leadership capabilities
Demonstrates ability to work effectively in a cross-functional team and navigate a matrixed organization; influence/negotiation skills and relationship management capabilities
Strong leader – who can coach and develop direct reports as well as influence without authority

Core responsibilities in this role:

Defines thought leadership platforms for AbbVie executives in R&D and the CBSO aligned with organizational goals and R&D strategy
Sets strategy and ensures effectiveness of R&D internal communications; inclusive of channel management (e.g. email, MyAbbVie), townhalls, leader communications, etc.
Identifies and executes creative programming that drives engagement of priority audiences such as scientific community and prospective talent in partnership with pipeline communicators, corporate marketing, talent acquisition and other areas of corporate affairs
Leads enhancements and updates to AbbVie’s science and innovation messaging, including how R&D is reflected on abbvie.com and in corporate materials, and ensures pull-through among functions and affiliates
Steers and oversees the community of practice with R&D Functional Communicators, driving alignment and coordination
Represents R&D Communications and acts as lead decisionmaker for workstreams associated with strategic initiatives (i.e. R&D EED&I Council, Pathway to Cures, ACOS, Transformation initiatives, etc.)
Coaches executives in storytelling on strategic priorities, issues management, areas of science and innovation, transformation and change
Proactively identifies and supports media and speaking engagement opportunities for R&D leaders, including vetting opportunities, developing key messages and training leaders
Supports capability building across the R&D Communications team that elevates our service offering, ensures process efficiencies and enables seamless execution
Interfaces and aligns with various functions, including government affairs, corporate affairs, investor relations, legal, finance, and senior management
Oversees management of agencies and associated program budgets that support communications programming
Strong leader for associate director, providing development and coaching to grow pipeline of talent

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 short-term incentive programs.
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, serving our community and embracing diversity and inclusion. It is AbbVie’s policy to employ qualified persons of the greatest ability without discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected group status.

US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html

US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:

https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

Director, R&D Executive Communications & Strategic Initiatives