Director, Strategic Initiatives

AbbVie•North Chicago, IL

2d•$160,500 - $305,000

About The Position

Works directly with Strategic Operations leadership and with the designated functional leader (VP or Head) to support broad, cross-functional strategy development, and to implement function-specific strategies that align with and ensure the achievement of the organization’s vision and objectives. Provides strategic thought partnership to designated leaders in setting and driving functional strategy development, supporting them in amplifying and executing integrated strategies where applicable, while fostering cultural attributes where employees feel connected, valued, and inspired. Reports into the Senior Director, Business Operations and Strategy, Strategic Operations and works directly with the department Vice President/Head and their leadership teams. This dual relationship helps to ensure cross-departmental collaboration and connectivity to broader functional operational strategies In partnership with Clin Sci Leadership Team, responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and working to optimize departmental operational excellence within the designated function and across Clinical Sciences Supports designated functional leader in the development and facilitates implementation of function-specific business area vision, strategic priorities, and success metrics as applicable. Acts as an advisor to designated functional leader in designing, overseeing, and executing business management routines, including strategic planning, headcount management, financial/budget (in partnership with relevant strategic operations/finance colleagues), continuous learning, employee engagement, talent/performance review and management. Ensures cross-functional linkage and influence between department and internal and external partners

Requirements

Bachelor/master’s/advanced degree in science or Business-related Field, with 5+ years experience in a similar role (i.e. Chief of Staff)
Objective strategic thinker with a demonstrated drive for results
Analytical orientation and comfortable with ambiguity and complexity
Dependable, trusted leader who is used to dealing with confidential information
Ability to connect the dots and influence across a complex organization
Excellent Emotional Intelligence (EQ) skills and relationship building experience
Strong leadership, negotiation, and mentoring / coaching skills
Strong communication skills, oral and written, great at packaging information depending on audience
Basic knowledge of project management practices, portfolio review, finance, and budgeting

Responsibilities

Serves as Chief of Staff for the designated functional VP/Head. Oversees the collection, synthesis, and communication of relevant information that informs the departmental and functional strategy.
Supports designated department leader in the development of overarching strategy and working in the day to day with the designated department leader. The right candidate must be able to understand company strategies and support the leader in setting, amplifying and executing integrated strategies aligned to the overarching business priorities/strategies and goals.
Accountable for understanding the operational objectives, methods and processes set forth by the Clinical Sciences leadership team and Strategic Operations organization, ensuring departments also understand and support established processes. The candidate will create strong relationships with their Strategic Operations colleagues as well as functional colleagues to optimize collaboration across Clinical Sciences (all for one Clin Sci mindset).
Works directly with leadership and peers to develop/strengthen relationships & partnership across strategic operations and designated function, connects the dots across Clinical Sciences and leverages AbbVie enterprise resources to develop, align, and advance initiatives of strategic importance.
In partnership with Strategic Operations and Clinical Sciences leadership team, designs, oversees, executes, and contributes to long-term strategic planning and for department, using insight, research, and strong business acumen. Responsible for leading effort to develop departmental priorities and goals aligned to overarching functional strategies. Partners with leadership to make strategic decisions that affect the department on strategic business issues.
Identifies, plans, leads, and tracks priority activities and initiatives of strategic importance. Assists management in the selection of action plans that best meets business objectives. Anticipates and leads issue resolution.
In partnership with Clin Sci Leadership Team, coordinates, monitors, evaluates, and works to optimize departmental operational excellence within the designated function and across Clinical Sciences. Knows when to pull in the right business partners to departmental conversations and activities. For example, connects the Business Process experts when discussing metrics and processes, or Change Management when significant changes need to occur. Ensures escalation and sustainable resolution and prevention of issues and deficiencies.
Maximizes opportunities to highlight best practices and shared learnings across functions to reduce duplication of efforts/churn and engage departmental employees. In partnership with leadership team, develop and implement robust capability building resources to develop people leaders, strengthen network, and maximize the potential of the leaders/employees.
Liaison with other departments and functions within AbbVie to foster strategic partnerships, opportunity identification and realization, and issue resolution. Leads function communications including strategic objectives and messages, communication planning, material development, and facilitation/delivery.