Associate Director, Strategic Operations and Communications

AbbVie•Mettawa, IL

22h

About The Position

Headquartered in the Chicagoland Area , AbbVie is a global research-based biopharmaceutical company formed in 2013. Our mission is to create an innovation-driven, patient-focused specialty biopharmaceutical organization capable of achieving sustainable top-tier performance through outstanding execution and a consistent stream of innovative new medicines. With market leadership in attractive growth segments impacting the lives of millions of patients, AbbVie employs approximately 50,000 colleagues worldwide and markets medicines in more than 175 countries. Recognized for our strong commitment to EEDI, U.S. Specialty serves 8 million patients annually across seven distinct businesses as well as our Established Products unit. Our powerful purpose – “We are a diverse family of people and products committed to improving the lives of our patients” – proudly reflects our values and culture. Due to talent movement, we have an exciting opportunity for an Associate Director of Strategic Planning, Communications, and Operations. Primary Function: Support Strategic Planning and Communications across U.S. Specialty with a strong focus on operational execution, stakeholder alignment, and pharmaceutical market insight. The role includes managing scoping, project planning, scheduling, and executing major cross-functional initiatives that drive strategic priorities. Key goals include: maintaining communication infrastructure that aligns strategic and tactical initiatives; optimizing operational workflows across business units; coordinating with cross-functional partners to advance culture, engagement, and professional development; ensuring organizational effectiveness; championing solutions informed by data and digital collaborations; and anticipating headwinds while guiding stakeholders toward timely, high-quality delivery.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree required.
Minimum of five years pharmaceutical experience at District Manager level or higher.
Demonstrated success in operational leadership, stakeholder engagement, and managing complex, multi-timeline programs.
Advanced analytical and communication skills; proven ability to manage multiple priorities.
Strong presentation skills and adeptness with technical project management tools, including AI-enabled solutions.
Innovative problem solver with proven influence and leadership capabilities without direct authority.

Nice To Haves

MBA or Master’s Degree.
Proficient in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and contemporary enterprise collaboration platforms.
AI fluent.
Technologically savvy with strong digital project management experience.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Director of Strategic Planning, Communications, and drive operational Excellence with U.S. Specialty Leadership to coordinate and implement annual communication and operational planning.
Utilize U.S. Specialty meeting infrastructure (Staff, SPC bi-weekly, RDDM/NSMs, MD Forum, Bi-Monthly Leadership, Quarterly Business Updates) to drive execution against high-impact initiatives, ensuring clear direction and cross-functional alignment.
Manage and prioritize communications and project milestones via the U.S. Specialty Communication & Operations Council. Maintain via project management, optimization of Master Calendar across stakeholders.
Work with Senior Management and AbbVie internal partners to co-create, socialize, and operationalize commercial initiatives, including Town Halls, National Meetings, Awards & Recognition programs, and Leadership Development.
Collaborate with VP/GMs/SPCs to deliver on key brand initiatives; prepare and inform strategic plans and reports to Senior Management, including Quarterly Roadmaps, Earnings Reports, and Strategic/Tactical Planning outputs.
Proactively anticipate operational challenges; recommend scalable technical project management solutions that improve execution speed, quality, and stakeholder satisfaction.