Associate Director, Biotherapeutics

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.co.uk. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Role Overview 

Biotherapeutics and Genetic Medicine (BGM) at AbbVie is entering an exciting phase of team growth at the AbbVie Oxford, UK site. To support this next phase, we are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Associate Director/Director to establish and lead an integrated Biotherapeutics team focused on advancing large molecules from early exploration to IND. Close partnerships with co-located Immunology colleagues will be required to drive transformative ideas to the clinic. The ideal candidate must possess a solid foundation/expertise in Immunology with a proven track record of building cross-disciplinary teams and working cross-functionally to deliver large molecule portfolio assets to the clinic.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Biotherapeutics lead and subject matter expert on cross-functional teams, providing scientific expertise across multiple projects and partnering with local therapeutic areas (e.g., DJS-Abbvie) to advance large molecule assets within the portfolio.
• Ensures scientific excellence and the use of best practices across teams. Along with Director and VP, shares responsibility for delivery of clinical candidates/technologies
• Identifies project targets and/or innovative technologies and prioritizes goals and milestones within the context of overall strategy, resource availability, competitive dynamics, and functional goals.
• Leadership responsibilities will include coordinating resources across programs, identifying and filling gaps in technology and/or capacity, sourcing and overseeing external resources, and identifying and applying new technologies.
• Gather insights from internal and external sources, including publications, key opinion leaders, advisory boards, and conferences, and translate them into strategic recommendations that inform portfolio decision-making.
• Maintain deep knowledge of relevant therapeutic areas, emerging data, competitor activity, and treatment guidelines.
• Collaborate with Legal and Business Development to identify and support evaluation of high impact external opportunities and help negotiate external research alliances
• Design and execute experiments to advance large molecule programs from exploratory to the clinic
• Multitask and work within timelines while maintaining a high level of productivity.
• The individual will manage project leaders and scientists with advanced degrees (e.g., PhD), evaluate team performance, and ensure strong individual and team execution.
• Review and maintain the quality and consistency of technical reports prepared by direct reports.

Qualifications

• PhD or MS in Immunology or a related discipline with experience in biotherapeutics discovery and engineering
• Deep technical expertise in biotherapeutics discovery/engineering and antibody structure-function
• Proven track record supporting the advancement of biologics, cell and gene therapies, or other biotherapeutic modalities
• Knowledge of protein structure and advanced Biophysics assays for Developability screening of discovery-stage biologics including new modalities, helping select suitable candidate molecules for drug pipeline development
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex scientific data to diverse audiences
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment
• Excellent communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills
• Adaptable to shifting project priorities and timelines
• CRO and external partner management
• Strong attention to detail, record keeping, and collaboration skills
• Challenge the status quo and onboard cutting-edge technologies to drive discovery and innovation.
• Expertise in field is sought within company. External/International recognition as a scientist in the therapeutic area with recognized drug discovery/innovative technology accomplishments.
• Excellent attention to detail, record keeping, and organization. Excellent communication, presentation, and collaboration skills.
• Prior experience in leading a team and mentorship of junior scientists

Key AbbVie Competencies:

• Builds strong relationships with peers and cross functionally with partners outside of the team to enable high performance.
• Learns fast, grasps the “essence” and can change the course quickly where indicated.
• Raises the bar and is never satisfied with the status quo.
• Creates a learning environment, open to suggestions and experimentation for improvement.
• Embraces the ideas of others, nurtures innovation and manages innovation to reality.

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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