Director, Head of Molecular Discovery Technologies

AbbVie•North Chicago, IL

About The Position

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 including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. We are seeking an accomplished scientific and organizational leader to serve as Head of Molecular Discovery Technologies (MDT) team. This leader will define the strategic direction of a multidisciplinary organization spanning DNA-Encoded Libraries (DEL), protein NMR, mass spectrometry-based affinity screening platform development, mass spectrometry-based structural characterization, and emerging molecular discovery technologies. Together, these capabilities accelerate hit discovery, improve hit quality, and enable small-molecule and peptide discovery programs across therapeutic areas. 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. Partnering across functions, the leader will help shape portfolio-level lead discovery strategies and drive the evolution of lead discovery through platform innovation, integrated data strategies, and AI/ML-enabled approaches. The role requires a strategic and collaborative scientific leader who can translate emerging technologies and data insights into scalable discovery capabilities, stronger portfolio decisions, and measurable pipeline impact, while developing talent and maintaining external scientific visibility.

Requirements

Ph.D. in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, or a related discipline.
10+ years of industry experience in lead discovery and/or molecular discovery technologies.
Strong background in medicinal chemistry and lead discovery strategy.
Demonstrated success leading scientific functions or platform teams in a matrixed research environment.
Recognized scientific leader with a strong external reputation demonstrated through publications, invited presentations, patents, scientific leadership, or other evidence of sustained impact in the field.
Excellent leadership, communication, influencing, and collaboration skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience applying AI/ML or advanced analytics to discovery data is preferred.
Experience guiding platform development in DEL, NMR, mass spectrometry, or related discovery technologies.
Demonstrated success translating new technologies into scalable discovery capabilities and portfolio outcomes.
Experience developing scientific talent and building succession depth.
Broad awareness of emerging molecular discovery methods and industry trends.

Responsibilities

Define and execute the Molecular Discovery Technologies strategy to maximize portfolio impact through accelerated hit discovery and improved hit quality.
Lead MDT portfolio prioritization and resource allocation, aligning platform deployment and investments with the highest-value discovery opportunities.
Drive integrated data strategies that connect experimental, screening, and computational insights, leveraging AI/ML-enabled approaches to improve decision quality and discovery effectiveness.
Partner with Molecular Screening and Characterization, Computational Drug Discovery, Medicinal Chemistry, Peptide Therapeutics, and other leaders to shape future lead-discovery approaches and cross-functional technology investments.
Develop long-range MDT technology, talent, and infrastructure plans aligned with future portfolio needs.
Establish metrics for platform performance, portfolio contribution, and organizational effectiveness.
Provide scientific and strategic oversight to ensure platform-generated insights inform hit identification, prioritization, and progression decisions.
Lead teams in solving complex scientific problems and developing fit-for-purpose solutions.
Drive scientific rigor and decision quality while ensuring technologies translate into actionable portfolio outcomes.
Guide the evaluation, development, and adoption of emerging molecular discovery technologies based on scientific need and potential portfolio impact.
Represent Molecular Discovery Technologies as a key scientific partner on cross-functional teams.
Establish and maintain external scientific relationships and drive adoption of innovative technologies and best practices that enhance discovery effectiveness and portfolio impact.
Build and lead a high-performing multidisciplinary organization capable of delivering sustained impact across the portfolio.
Develop scientific and people leaders through coaching, mentoring, and succession planning.
Create clear goals, performance expectations, and accountability frameworks aligned with portfolio priorities.
Drive operational excellence, resource stewardship, and continuous improvement across all platforms.
Foster a culture of scientific excellence, inclusion, constructive challenge, agility, cross-functional collaboration, and innovation with purpose.