Associate Director, Search & Evaluation

Location: San Francisco
Posted on: June 23, 2025

Job Description:

Company Description 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 immunology, oncology, neuroscience, and eye care and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com . Follow @abbvie on X , Facebook , Instagram , YouTube , LinkedIn and Tik Tok . Job Description The Search and Evaluation (S&E) group is part of the Corporate Strategy Office and actively supports global Business Development (BD) goals by sourcing and assessing external partnering opportunities that are aligned with AbbVies R&D and BD Strategies. The S&E team interacts with biotech and biopharma companies, academic institutions, venture firms, and other stakeholders from the life sciences industry ecosystem, for exploration of potential opportunities to collaborate, in-license, out-license, invest into- or acquire assets. The group is responsible for leading the global search efforts for assets of high strategic value across the entire spectrum, from early-stage Discovery alliances to the evaluation of programs that are in late-stage development or marketed. S&E is responsible for conducting all scientific/technical due diligence to ensure an in-depth understanding of the science behind each of these opportunities. The Associate Director, Search & Evaluation will be a key member of the Specialty and Discovery Platforms S&E team, responsible for coordinating due diligence and presenting assessments of individual partnering opportunities to therapeutic area leadership and senior governance committees as well as contributing to Specialty and Discovery Platforms TA and BD strategy initiatives. AbbVies Specialty TA focuses on a diverse set of diseases with high unmet medical need in GI disorders, Endocrinology, and other areas of potential expansion for the business. This is a very attractive opportunity for an experienced biotech or pharmaceutical industry professional who enjoys a high-energy, entrepreneurial environment, and is looking to transition to S&E/BD from other roles. This is a high visibility role that offers a chance to make significant contributions towards AbbVies BD goals and to reinforce AbbVies role as a world-leading pharmaceutical drug developer. Key Responsibilities Include: Proactively search for, identify, and evaluate potential opportunities (research collaboration, in-licensing preclinical and clinical assets, platform technologies and research tools) that are consistent with external BD strategies for the advancement of AbbVies Specialty TA pipeline and Discovery Platforms strategy, and driving sustainable growth for the Company. Review external opportunities for scientific merit and feasibility. Lead the assessment of opportunities (in conjunction with the R&D Therapeutic Area Steering Committee, functional area subject matter experts, Business Development and Acquisitions (BD&A) function and commercial organization), including: (1) managing the interactions with external parties; (2) overseeing the evaluation process and timeline; (3) developing timely recommendations and proposals for senior management, and; (4) supporting the commercial organization in commercial assessments of opportunities. Lead the due diligence efforts (in conjunction with the TA Leadership and Functional area SMEs) for advanced opportunities, prepare initial technical documents and present those to the senior management. In partnership with the transaction teams (Technology, Licensing and Collaborations/BD&A/ AbbVie Ventures) develop appropriate deal structures, risk mitigation and negotiating strategies and ensure alignment with AbbVies TA objectives and functional management. Communicate status of ongoing deals to key internal stakeholders on a timely basis, including preparation of opportunity assessments and summaries for executive-level audiences. Deliver oral and written presentations to senior management to seek approval for new opportunities. Build the AbbVie brand via participation and presenting AbbVies Vision & Mission at key scientific and industry forums. Network with external parties to ensure awareness of AbbVie key capabilities and BD objectives. Facilitate and maintain opportunity identification and assessment processes to move projects forward in the most efficient and effective manner and provide recommendations for declining/deprioritizing ideas early and effectively. Facilitate creation of institutional memory for opportunities by providing clear, concise assessments and recommendations for future reference. Fully leverage new and existing external and internal opportunity management tools to support the operations of the growing S&E group as it relates to tracking incoming opportunities. Contribute to efforts creating evergreen external BD strategies aligned to AbbVies Specialty TA strategy and Discovery Platform strategy and portfolio goals in closed coordination with the head of Specialty & Discovery Platforms S&E. Contribute to efforts on business process improvement initiatives through R&D organization and BD teams in line with the current industry standards, in close coordination with a Specialty S&E leader. Qualifications Doctoratedegree in a related scientific field required (e.g. PhD, PharmD, MD). 2 years of drug development or Business Development work experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries required Background in metabolic disease preferred Strong Project management/ leadership skills to lead/manage multifunctional teams to evaluate target opportunities, and produce high quality analyses. Ability to drive projects to deliver timely results and follow through on commitments. Must possess basic knowledge of generally accepted Business Development practices, e.g. financial, contracting, governance review. Must possess a solid foundation in drug discovery processes, with in depth knowledge of at least one aspect of Drug Development (e.g., pre-clinical research, clinical development, Regulatory Affairs, Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls (CMC)). Experience with conducting due diligence exercises within a scientific environment preferred. Highly motivated professional with strong organizational and communication skills, excellent work ethic, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment. Key Stakeholders Internal: S&E, BD&A, AbbVie Ventures, TLC, R&D personnel, Legal External: Partnering companies, BD from other pharma, Biotechs, Academic institutions. Additional Information Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state orlocal law: The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Companybelieves ingood faith it will pay for this role at the timeof this posting based on the job grade for this position.Individualcompensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, andwemay ultimatelypay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in thefuture.Salary: $137,500 - $261,000 We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick),medical/dental/visioninsurance and 401(k) to eligibleemployees. This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentiveprograms. This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentiveprograms Note: No amount of payis considered to bewages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, anddeterminable.The amount and availability of any bonus,commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form ofcompensation and benefitsthat are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole andabsolutediscretion unless and until paid andmay be modified at the Companys sole and absolute discretion, consistent withapplicable law. AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more: https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html

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