Scientific Director / Senior Medical Director, US Medical Affairs-Rheumatology

AbbVie•Mettawa, IL

1d•$182,000 - $346,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Scientific Director / Senior Medical Director, US Medical Affairs-Rheumatology provides specialist medical and scientific strategic and operational input into core Medical Affairs activities for AbbVie’s Rheumatology RA/JIA/GCA therapeutic area. The role engages healthcare professionals and providers; generates clinical and scientific data to enhance the therapeutic benefit and value of the RA asset; supports medical education, scientific communications, and value proposition initiatives; and safeguards patient safety through risk minimization and safety surveillance activities. The position also works closely with sales, marketing, and commercial teams to provide strategic medical input for brand strategies and to support Medical Affairs, marketing activities—including promotional material generation and product launches—and market access. The role is based at AbbVie’s Mettawa, Illinois office and follows a hybrid schedule with onsite work three days per week. Travel is expected 20% of the time. The position level will be commensurate with experience and education. The posting provides qualifications for either a Scientific Director or a Senior Medical Director. The Scientific Director qualification path requires an advanced PhD or PharmD degree and typically 10–15 years of pharmaceutical industry or equivalent experience, including 7–10 years in Medical Affairs. The Senior Medical Director path requires an M.D. or equivalent and at least two years of clinical trial or Medical Affairs experience in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, or equivalent. The posted yearly base salary range is USD 182,000–346,000. The role is eligible to participate in long-term incentive programs, and eligible employees are offered paid time off, medical, dental and vision insurance, and a 401(k).

Requirements

For the Scientific Director path: PhD or PharmD advanced degree; additional postdoctoral experience is highly preferred.
For the Scientific Director path: 7–10 years of Medical Affairs capability and typically 10–15 years of pharmaceutical-industry or equivalent experience, with a proven track record across data generation, scientific communications, KOL engagement, and cross-functional strategy.
For the Senior Medical Director path: M.D. degree or equivalent, such as D.O. or a non-U.S. equivalent of an M.D.
For the Senior Medical Director path: at least 2 years of clinical trial or Medical Affairs experience in the pharmaceutical industry, academia, or equivalent; 3 or more years is preferred.
Knowledge of evidence-generation strategy, including real-world evidence, investigator-initiated and company-sponsored studies, and registries; brand-strategy development; scientific-communications development; medical insights; and promotional review.
Knowledge of clinical trial methodology, data analysis and interpretation, regulatory requirements governing clinical trials, development strategy, and protocol design.
Proven leadership skills in a cross-functional global team environment.
Excellent oral and written English communication skills.

Nice To Haves

For the Scientific Director path, additional postdoctoral experience is highly preferred.
For the Senior Medical Director path, a relevant therapeutic specialty in an academic or hospital environment is preferred.
For the Senior Medical Director path, completion of residency and/or fellowship is preferred.
For the Senior Medical Director path, 3 or more years of clinical trial or Medical Affairs experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

Initiate Medical Affairs activities and generate and disseminate data supporting the overall scientific strategy.
Provide Medical Affairs oversight of the design, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of scientific content for protocols, Investigator Brochures, Clinical Study Reports, regulatory submissions, and responses.
Oversee Medical Affairs-led clinical studies, monitor study integrity, and review, interpret, and communicate accumulating safety and efficacy data; as SD Study Lead, oversee enrollment and timelines for key deliverables.
Provide in-house clinical expertise for the molecule and disease, coordinating scientific activities with internal stakeholders for ongoing clinical projects; contribute to due diligence or business-development activities as needed.
Partner with Discovery colleagues on the design and implementation of translational strategies when required by program needs.
Serve as a clinical interface and solicit opinions through leader interactions related to the molecule and disease area; partner with Medical Affairs, Commercial, and other functions to incorporate cross-functional perspectives into Clinical Development Plans and protocols as appropriate and consistent with corporate policies.
Assist with the development of scientifically accurate marketing materials, medical education programs, advisories, and symposia.
Assist with scientific review, development, approval, execution, and communication of affiliate, area, or global Medical Affairs-sponsored or supported clinical research activities.
Coordinate scientific and medical activities with internal stakeholders, including Commercial, Clinical Operations, Discovery, Statistics, and Regulatory, for ongoing Medical Affairs projects.
Serve as the scientific team interface for key regulatory discussions.
Provide scientific and medical education to investigators, clinical monitors, and Global Project Team members on therapeutic-area or disease-specific information.
Keep abreast of professional information and technology through conferences and medical literature and act as a therapeutic-area resource.
Ensure budgets, timelines, and compliance requirements are factored into programs’ scientific activities.