Director – Head of Protein Sciences

Job Description

Summary

We are seeking an accomplished scientific and organizational leader to serve as Head of Protein Sciences.  This role is accountable for defining and executing the Protein Sciences strategy to accelerate portfolio progression through the delivery of high-quality protein reagents, target-enabling solutions, and scientific insights for small molecule and peptide discovery programs across therapeutic areas.

As the functional leader of Protein Sciences, the successful candidate will ensure the organization delivers scalable, high-impact support across the portfolio while balancing current program needs with future capability requirements. The leader will report to the Head of Target Enabling Technologies organization and serve on the extended leadership team of Small Molecule Therapeutics and Platform Technologies. Working in close partnership with Biology, Screening, Structural Biology, and other functions, this leader will influence discovery strategies, optimize resource deployment, and enable successful advancement of programs against challenging targets.

This role requires a leader who combines deep scientific expertise, strategic thinking, and operational excellence to maximize organizational impact, improve portfolio execution, and build a high-performing scientific organization.
 

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute a Protein Sciences strategy that maximizes impact across the discovery portfolio through efficient delivery of target-enabling proteins, scientific solutions, and resource deployment.
• Accountable for the overall performance, portfolio impact, scientific excellence, and organizational effectiveness of the Protein Sciences function.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to influence discovery strategies, address target-enabling challenges, and ensure Protein Sciences resources are deployed against highest-value portfolio opportunities.
• Drive scientific innovation and adoption of emerging technologies, including AI/ML-enabled approaches, protein engineering, and next-generation protein production platforms to support emerging target classes and future portfolio needs.
• Manage project intake and lead functional resource planning and prioritization to ensure effective support across the portfolio.
• Manage external collaborations and CRO partnerships to augment capabilities and accelerate project delivery.
• Balance short-term portfolio needs with long-term capability building and technology investments
• Build external awareness of emerging scientific approaches and evaluate opportunities for scientific collaboration.

Scientific Leadership

• Provide scientific leadership and oversight to ensure delivery of high-quality protein reagents and scientific data that support project advancement.
• Lead teams in addressing complex scientific problems and developing innovative, fit-for-purpose solutions that advance discovery programs. 
• Foster scientific rigor, innovation, and data-driven decision-making across the department.
• Represent Protein Sciences as a key scientific partner on cross-functional discovery teams.
• Establish and maintain external scientific relationships to ensure awareness and adoption of innovative technologies and best practices. 

Talent Development and Organizational Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing Protein Sciences organization that consistently delivers high-quality outcomes, develops talent, and contributes measurably to portfolio success.
• Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.
• Develop future scientific and people leaders through coaching, mentoring, performance management, and succession planning.
• Foster strong cross-functional partnerships that accelerate progression of the programs and improve organizational effectiveness.
• Champion continuous improvement and operational excellence across the function.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biochemistry, Biophysics, Structural Biology, or a closely related discipline.
• 10+ years of industry experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology settings with a proven track record of supporting small molecule drug discovery programs.
• Demonstrated success in leading Protein Sciences or closely related scientific functions and developing organizational capabilities in a matrixed research environment.
• Deep expertise in protein expression, purification, engineering, and characterization across multiple expression systems.
• Proven track record of enabling successful discovery programs against complex or challenging targets.
• Proven track record of influencing organizational strategy and delivering measurable portfolio impact through scientific leadership.
• Demonstrated understanding of protein requirements for different screening technologies, biophysics, and structural biology.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to balance immediate project deliverables and long-term technology development.
• Excellent leadership, communication, influencing, and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing external collaborations, CROs, or strategic scientific partners.
• Demonstrated success in building capabilities, introducing new technologies, or improving functional productivity.
• Experience developing scientific talent and building succession depth in a research organization.
• Broad awareness of emerging protein science methods, technologies, and industry trends.

Leadership Competencies

• Strategic thinking and functional leadership
• Inclusive leadership
• Scientific rigor and sound judgment
• Ability to influence across functions and levels
• Comfort making decisions in ambiguity
• Talent development and coaching
• Collaboration and relationship building
• Accountability for results and follow-through
• Innovation and problem-solving mindset

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

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Compensation: 160500 to 305000 (USD) (YEARLY)