Associate Director, Change Management

AbbVie•North Chicago, IL

10h•$141,500 - $268,500

About The Position

The Associate Director, Quality Change Management is the strategic leader for R&D Quality Change Management within AbbVie’s Global Quality Systems team. The role drives enterprise-wide standardization and excellence through expert oversight and proactive identification, communication, implementation, and governance of change in alignment with global regulatory requirements and industry standards. The Associate Director also leads the QCM Quality System Network, comprising subject matter experts and change practitioners across R&D.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in a scientific discipline, life sciences, engineering, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, or 5 or more years with an MS or PhD, with relevant focus in quality change management.
Proven leadership in matrixed, cross-functional environments and ability to influence without direct authority.
Extensive hands-on Quality Change Management experience across multiple domains, such as Clinical Operations, Pharmacovigilance, pre-Clinical, or Manufacturing.
Deep knowledge of global regulatory frameworks, inspection readiness, compliance standards, and QCM methodologies.
Demonstrated capability to standardize and scale quality and change management processes globally to improve operational efficiency and reduce complexity.
Strong change agility and a track record of leading organizations through ambiguity and transformation while balancing competing priorities.
Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and mentoring skills, including experience engaging with senior leadership and developing SMEs.

Responsibilities

Serve as the strategic owner and leader of the global R&D Quality Change Management (QCM) system, driving sustainable excellence and compliance across functions.
Design, develop, and continuously improve quality systems, standards, practices, and supporting tools in alignment with evolving regulatory and industry expectations.
Establish and maintain QCM governance structures to ensure changes are identified, assessed, approved, implemented, communicated, and monitored in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements.
Champion and harmonize QCM processes, documentation, and standards across R&D.
Lead and mentor a global network of QCM subject matter experts and practitioners, fostering knowledge-sharing, collaboration, and adoption of best practices.
Advise internal R&D stakeholders by providing QCM guidance, regulatory updates, issue resolution, and process implementation support.
Oversee the creation, maintenance, and harmonization of process documentation, SOPs, and training materials.
Define, monitor, and report on quality and risk metrics, using data-driven insights to inform leadership, drive continuous improvement, and ensure accountability.
Ensure organization-wide inspection readiness and represent the company during Health Authority inspections, including responding to and defending QCM practices and policies.
Monitor and influence external regulatory trends and industry standards, advocating for the organization and elevating QCM maturity at company and industry levels.