EHS Systems Lead

Job Description

EHS Systems Lead

Reports To: Associate Director, Environment, Health & Safety

Position Summary

The EHS System Lead is responsible for leading the deployment, maturity, integration, and continuous improvement of the North Chicago Manufacturing (NCM) EHS Management System. The role provides governance and oversight for EHS programs aligned to Global EHS Management and Technical Standards while developing a network of EHS Program Leads embedded across the site.

Working collaboratively with business leaders, functional experts, and operational teams, the EHS System Lead drives a structured and sustainable approach to EHS program ownership, ensuring clear accountability, effective implementation, and continual advancement of site EHS performance. The role serves as a coach, facilitator, and strategic partner to strengthen EHS capabilities throughout the organization and enable long-term readiness for internal and external assurance activities.

Key Responsibilities

EHS Management System Leadership

• Lead the ongoing development, deployment, and continuous improvement of the NCM EHS Management System.
• Ensure EHS programs are aligned with applicable Global EHS Management Standards, Technical Standards, corporate requirements, and regulatory expectations.
• Establish and maintain a structured governance framework for monitoring program health, maturity, effectiveness, and performance.
• Promote a systems-based approach to EHS program ownership across the organization.

Program Ownership Network Leadership

• Lead and coordinate a network of EHS Program Leads from multiple departments and operational functions across the site.
• Define and communicate roles, responsibilities, and accountability expectations for EHS program owners and process owners.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to drive consistent implementation and sustainment of EHS programs.
• Establish communities of practice that encourage shared learning, standardization, and continuous improvement.

Coaching and Capability Development

• Coach EHS Program Leads, managers, supervisors, and functional leaders on their responsibilities within the EHS Management System.
• Translate corporate EHS standards into practical operational expectations that can be effectively implemented in day-to-day activities.
• Build organizational capability through mentoring, training, workshops, and structured development plans.
• Support leaders in integrating EHS requirements into business processes, decision-making, and operational routines.

Program Maturity and Strategic Improvement

• Develop and maintain the site EHS Program Maturity Roadmap.
• Manage and coordinate project plans associated with closing gaps against Global EHS Standards and audit findings.
• Track program maturity, key milestones, actions, and performance indicators to ensure sustained progress.
• Identify improvement opportunities and implement systematic solutions that strengthen EHS performance and resilience.

Stakeholder Engagement and Influence

• Partner with operational leaders to embed EHS ownership into daily management systems.
• Facilitate leadership reviews and governance forums to communicate program status, risks, priorities, and resource needs.
• Maintain strong working relationships across all levels of the organization to drive engagement, ownership, and accountability.
• Influence positive organizational change through collaboration, leadership, and effective communication.

Assurance, Audit and Compliance Support

• Support site readiness activities for internal and external EHS audits and assessments.
• Monitor program effectiveness through management reviews, self-assessments, audits, inspections, and performance reviews.
• Ensure corrective actions, improvement actions, and strategic initiatives are effectively tracked and completed.
• Provide leadership support during audit preparation, execution, and post-audit improvement activities.

Key Competencies

• Strategic EHS Leadership
• Change Management
• Influencing Without Direct Authority
• Program and Project Management
• Coaching and Talent Development
• Systems Thinking
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Continuous Improvement
• Organizational Capability Building
• Data-Driven Decision Making
• Communication and Facilitation Skills

Success Measures

The EHS System Lead will be successful when:

• EHS programs progressively mature toward full conformance with Global EHS Management and Technical Standards.
• Program ownership is clearly established and sustained within operational departments.
• Leaders understand and effectively execute their EHS responsibilities.
• Audit readiness improves, and significant findings are reduced.
• Program health metrics demonstrate continuous improvement.
• The site develops a sustainable culture of ownership, accountability, and engagement for EHS excellence.
• EHS requirements are embedded into routine business processes and operational decision-making.

#LI-AL1

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree (EHS related, Engineering) plus 5+ years of EHS related experience or Master’s Degree (EHS related, Engineering) plus 3 years of EHS related experience. EHS or Engineering professional certification is preferred, but not required.
• Working experience in implementing EHS regulations, conducting incident investigations, interacting with regulatory agencies and external organizations and managing cross functional teams
• Ability to establish measurable project goals and implementation plans, balance conflicting work demands, and develop action plans including the identification of resource requirements.
• Ability to develop standards and/or policies that meet business objectives.
• Ability to actively listen, build and maintain effective working relationships with internal/ external colleagues and stakeholders, and resolve conflict constructively.
• Ability to successfully manage project and programs.

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. ​

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 and serving our community.  Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. 

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Compensation: 96500 to 183500 (USD) (YEARLY)