Associate Director, Pipeline & External Innovation Communications

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.

The Associate Director, Pipeline Communications, plays a key role in driving strategic science and data communications across AbbVie’s R&D pipeline.

This role supports communications efforts across all therapeutic areas (TAs), working in close collaboration with TA pipeline communications leads to articulate and amplify AbbVie’s innovation narrative. The role also supports external innovation communications, including strategic alliances, collaborations, and business development activities. The Associate Director will report to the Head of Pipeline and External Innovation Communications and work cross-functionally with key stakeholders across R&D, Corporate Affairs, and Commercial.

Key Responsibilities:

• Partner with TA communications leads and the Head of Pipeline Communications to execute strategies that elevate awareness and understanding of AbbVie’s scientific advancements, data milestones, and innovation platforms.
• Support communication planning and execution for scientific data disclosures (e.g., congress presentations, publications), clinical development milestones, regulatory filings, and pre-commercial announcements.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Clinical, Medical Affairs, Commercial, and Alliance Management to ensure alignment and integration of communications across functions.
• Support communication efforts related to external innovation, including strategic partnerships, research collaborations, and licensing agreements.
• Work in close partnership with the Media Relations and Social Media teams to develop and deploy integrated communications strategies across external channels.
• Contribute to enterprise-wide non-branded initiatives, including disease awareness and thought leadership campaigns.
• Develop and track communications KPIs to measure success, refine strategies, and communicate impact to internal stakeholders.
• Foster a collaborative, cross-functional mindset and help cultivate a culture of scientific storytelling within the Corporate Affairs organization.

This is a hybrid role based in Lake County

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree or background in life sciences strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5+ years of experience in integrated communications, with a focus on scientific, data, or R&D communications in the healthcare or biopharmaceutical industry.
• Solid understanding of the drug development lifecycle and the broader life sciences industry.
• Strong understanding of new and emerging communications trends
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific data into clear, compelling narratives tailored to diverse audiences.
• Proven track record of high-quality tactical execution and measurable outcomes.
• Ability to provide strategic communications counsel to senior leaders and cross-functional partners.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to lead multiple initiatives in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Excellent verbal, written, and visual storytelling skills.
• Collaborative, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity, with strong business acumen and enterprise thinking.

Core Competencies:

• Scientific and strategic fluency
• Business storytelling and audience-centric messaging
• Cross-functional collaboration and influence
• Innovation and continuous improvement
• Accountability and operational excellence
• Enterprise-first mindset

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 short-term incentive programs. ​

• 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. 

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