Director, Ventures & Neuroscience Collaborations

AbbVie•South San Francisco, CA

About The Position

Collaborate with the AbbVie Ventures team and portfolio and serve as Venture Partner, providing scientific and strategic leadership to identify, establish, and nurture external research innovation through engagement with the scientific and investor/entrepreneur community with the long-term objective of enhancing AbbVie’s discovery pipeline. Act as a key opinion leader and single point of contact for internal and external partners, guiding strategic innovation, mentoring early-stage biotech companies, and fostering relationships to advance portfolio growth.

Requirements

Advanced degree in life sciences (PhD, MD, PharmD) with 15+ years of relevant drug discovery, development, or translational research experience.
Proven record of innovation and successful launch of new or improved products.
Demonstrated expertise in evaluating and advising on external research programs, risk management, and opportunity assessment.
Success bridging scientific innovation with commercial and regulatory realities.
Extensive professional network within biotech, pharma, and investment sectors.
Outstanding leadership, interpersonal, and negotiation skills for partnership-building and talent mentorship.
Ability to foster an inclusive, collaborative environment valuing diverse perspectives.
Strong communication skills for presenting complex ideas to varied audiences.

Responsibilities

Drive execution of external innovation equity investment opportunities in discovery research by collaborating with internal R&D and CBSO stakeholders.
Engage with industry partners, biotech companies, venture capitalists, and academic collaborators to source impactful innovation opportunities.
Provide scientific and strategic recommendations for external investments, including assessment of value, risk, and portfolio fit.
Guide the development and implementation of research strategies for new company creation concepts (“NewCos”) and/or early-stage biotechs, integrating scientific trends and product-to-market fit.
Conduct due diligence on preclinical and clinical data, as well as technology and patent landscapes, to assess freedom-to-operate and licensing potential for 'Newcos' and early-stage biotechs.
Evaluate market potential and competitive landscape to inform strategic decision-making and opportunity prioritization.
Lead or advise the creation and development of early-stage spinouts or ventures, potentially also acting as interim CEO/CSO to establish operations and recruit teams.
Collaborate with AbbVie Ventures to de-risk portfolio companies, prepare investor materials, and engage with VCs for fundraising activities.
Forge partnerships with pharma companies, CROs, academic labs, and industry experts to support capital-efficient growth and innovation.
Establish and maintain thought-leader status by staying abreast of emerging science, leading educational initiatives, and driving new avenues of investment for AbbVie (e.g., conference engagements, advisory board participation).