Associate Director, Data and Digital Strategy

This role leads digital transformation for PDS&T Biologics laboratory operations. The successful candidate will design, develop, and execute a comprehensive data and digital strategy that delivers measurable value to scientists and accelerates biologics development.

As a member of the Center of Excellence (COE) leadership team for digital transformation and ML/AI within PDS&T Biologics, this leader will shape the AI and digital strategy and drive end-to-end digital integration across Biologics CMC. The COE includes representatives from each functional group. It serves scientists' needs and defines the data systems architecture that underpins knowledge management, advanced analytics, and predictive modeling.

Working closely with IT partners (IR and BTS), this leader will evaluate and optimize data systems, including ELN, sample management, laboratory automation, and scientific data platforms. The aim is seamless, automated capture and connectivity of biologics process and analytical data in line with FAIR data principles. The leader will also establish business and data governance with other PDS&T divisions, Development Sciences, Manufacturing, and Quality. They will prioritize use cases and workflow applications that advance digital maturity and measure impact through clear KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and subject-matter expertise for laboratory digital transformation, defining future-state capabilities and scalable digital solutions across PDS&T Biologics Development.
• Drive integration of laboratory instruments and systems to automate data capture and reduce manual data entry across scientific workflows.
• Serve as the digital product leader for ELN, sample management, laboratory automation, and scientific data platforms, translating scientific and business needs into scalable solutions.
• Advance FAIR data principles and data standardization to improve the findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reuse of scientific data for analytics, modeling, and digital applications.
• Own the continuous evolution of laboratory digital products, including system configuration, user experience, platform scalability, performance, and adoption.
• Partner with scientists, laboratory operations, Quality, Technical Operations, Data Science, IR, and BTS to streamline workflows, improve data quality, and accelerate R&D outcomes.
• Define KPIs and dashboards and communicate progress on initiatives to stakeholders.
• Influence leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to secure investments that align digital transformation with PDS&T Biologics business priorities.
• Represent scientists' needs and champion the work processes and culture that digital transformation requires.
• Support the COE book of work for digital transformation within PDS&T Biologics.
• Benchmark internally and externally to keep the data and digital strategy for biologics process and analytical development industry leading.

• M.S. or Ph.D. in life sciences or a science-based informatics discipline, with 10+ years of pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry experience, including at least 8 years in a relevant R&D or Operations function.
• Proven track record of enabling new digital or data management capabilities, beyond incremental improvements or routine system implementations.
• Technical proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, R) and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP).
• Familiarity with AI/ML platforms and tools (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch) relevant to biologics CMC workflows.
• Demonstrated ability to apply AI/ML techniques in biologics CMC development to optimize processes, strengthen data analysis, and enhance predictive modeling.

Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law: ​

• The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future. ​
• We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.​
• This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.

Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable 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.

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