Senior Director, Obesity Discovery Research

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 Purpose:

AbbVie is committed to discovering and delivering innovative medicines and solutions for serious health issues today and preparing for the medical challenges of tomorrow. As AbbVie expands its presence in Obesity Therapeutics, beginning with the development of a long-acting amylin analog (licensed from Gubra), we seek an experienced scientific leader. This individual will lead innovative obesity research within a matrixed environment and be accountable to enable the discovery, validation, and advancement of novel therapeutics. The role requires leveraging cross-functional expertise and external collaborations to develop next-generation therapies employing diverse modalities. The leader will serve as a company-wide scientific expert and key opinion leader, guiding the introduction of new obesity projects, shaping departmental strategy, and directing cutting-edge research in alignment with the area VP.

Responsibilities:

• Develop deep disease biology expertise in the department, partnering with the VP to set and implement the obesity discovery research strategy.
• Serve as a senior member of the Obesity Discovery Research team, senior member of the Disease Strategy Team, an extended member of the BD strategy and alignment forum, and a member of the extended Discovery Leadership Forum.
• Leverage internal capabilities and external partnerships with CROs, academic institutions, biotech companies, and key opinion leaders.
• Direct programs targeting CNS-driven appetite regulation and/or energy expenditure, utilizing biologics, nucleic acid therapies, and small molecules.
• Lead and oversee multidisciplinary teams (internal and external) in discovery and preclinical development, promoting innovation and scientific autonomy.
• Guide the design and execution of research programs using advanced in vitro and in vivo assays, biomarker discovery, and translational approaches to advance obesity and related pipelines.
• Collaborate with other disease areas to deliver high-quality programs with cross-indication potential.
• Formulate translational strategies for target engagement, biomarker development, and patient segmentation in early human trials.

Monitor and integrate emerging research, technology, and competitive intelligence related to obesity.
• Identify, assess, and champion external collaborations and licensing opportunities to diversify the pipeline.
• Build and maintain relationships with KOLs and academic partners, ensuring strategic alignment and participation in key scientific forums.
• Clearly communicate complex scientific and portfolio issues to decision-makers and peers; prepare and deliver effective presentations to AbbVie and collaborator senior leadership.
• Use personal scientific expertise to advise on and resolve complex project challenges.

• PhD, MD, or MD/PhD in Neuroscience, Metabolic Disorders, Physiology, or a related life science discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of relevant academic, pharmaceutical, or healthcare industry experience, with a demonstrated record of advancing programs from early discovery to clinical development and publications in peer-reviewed journals. At least 10 years of those years in a leadership role in target or drug discovery.   
• Proven experience directing complex programs in the biopharma industry, with exceptional organizational and leadership skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with the ability to negotiate and influence stakeholders.
• Ability to apply business principles to support scientific and enterprise initiatives.
• Expertise in directing in vitro and in vivo models relevant to obesity, neuroendocrine systems, metabolic mechanisms, and appetite regulation.
• Record of success in research strategy, drug discovery processes, translational and biomarker research, data science, and human genetics.
• Strategic thinker with experience in competitive intelligence, scientific due diligence, and external asset evaluation.

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 postingbased 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 orless 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 paidand 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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