Senior Director, Biologics Analytical Research & Development

Abb Vie is a global biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and delivering innovative medicines to address serious health issues across therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, neuroscience and Allergan Aesthetics. For more information, visit

The Senior Director will lead the Biologics Analytical R&D organization in Lake County supporting Abb Vie's innovative early‑stage biologics pipeline which includes mAbs, shuttled‑mAbs, Bi‑ and multi‑specifics, genetic medicines (AOCs), ADCs, peptides, fusion proteins and future biologics modalities paired with formulation development support for traditional, high concentration and complex formulations. The role involves developing industry‑leading analytical methods, characterization packages and control strategies to advance manufacturing, conjugation, formulation and process development from discovery research through late‑stage clinical development.

The Senior Director will advance fundamental understanding of novel biological modalities and their degradation mechanisms during manufacturing, shelf‑life, distribution and administration, and will partner cross‑functionally to drive robust drug substance and product manufacturing processes and formulation selection by providing key analytical data and insights.

• Provide leadership and talent development for more than 50 highly skilled analytical and pharmaceutical scientists at the Abb Vie Abbott Park and North Chicago sites
• Define and communicate industry‑leading analytical strategies for complex biologics
• Lead development, validation and transfer of analytical methods aligned with global strategies
• Establish industry‑leading biologics analytical characterization capabilities to support process development, formulation design and comparability
• Drive fundamental understanding of CQAs, degradation mechanisms and product‑excipient interactions
• Manage departmental budget, analytical laboratories and equipment
• Balance resources, resolve issues and achieve target timing for pipeline projects and key strategic initiatives
• Drive technical excellence and innovations in science that improve the capabilities and productivity of the organization
• Work collaboratively across R&D and Operations to align and influence a broad range of development strategies that directly support drug development programs
• Manage and develop scientific talent across multiple disciplines and/or projects to address current and future business needs
• Ensure scientific excellence and foster functional, scientific and professional development of staff
• Identify, evaluate and propose both internal and external collaborations to drive scientific innovation and shared learning
• Accountable for compliance with Environmental Health and Safety regulations for the group
• Resolve difficult and highly complex technical issues in an evolving regulatory climate

• PhD with at least 10 years of relevant pharma/biotech industry experience or master’s degree with at least 15 years of experience
• Proven experience leading a biologics development organization with a range of experience levels and scientific disciplines
• Demonstrated record of success leading strategic initiatives and new technology evaluation and implementation
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Experience motivating and maintaining positive morale of highly skilled technical individuals and teams in a compliant environment
• Solid understanding of the scientific disciplines needed for therapeutic biologics development (analytical, drug substance, drug product, combination product, manufacturing, QA, supply chain, regulatory)
• Strong negotiating, influencing and leadership skills
• Entrepreneurial thinker capable of driving innovative ideas and making smart business decisions

• 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 the company 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.
• Team size, Lake County: 50+
• Number of programs supported out of Lake County: 20+
• Additional responsibilities: AOCs, peptides, bioassay.

Abb Vie 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. US & Puerto Rico only – to learn more, visit  US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation,  to learn more: