Director, Construction
AbbVie
August 29, 2026
On-site
North Chicago, IL
$160,500 - $305,000 USD yearly
Operations
Purpose
The Director of Construction provides senior leadership and owner’s oversight for all construction activities for a ~$500 million pharmaceutical capital project. Serves as the owner’s on-site construction authority, leading the construction management organization and overseeing EPC/CM partners and trade contractors. Ensures safe, compliant, and efficient execution aligned with capital governance, quality systems, and regulatory expectations; coordinates construction with engineering, procurement, CQV, validation, and operational readiness.
Responsibilities
- Lead execution of all site construction activities; lead construction management organization.
- Oversee EPC/CM and trade contractors; provide constructability inputs during design.
- Establish execution strategies, site procedures, and performance expectations; coordinate engineering/procurement/construction/CQV/operations.
- Champion Zero-Incident safety; ensure OSHA/EHS compliance; oversee contractor safety programs, audits, and incident investigations.
- Provide executive oversight of integrated master schedule; manage schedules incl. risk assessments and recovery.
- Oversee construction budgets/cost forecasting; manage cost risks, value engineering, and schedule/cost/risk reporting.
- Lead construction change management; review/negotiation of change requests/claims; manage documentation and cost governance.
- Lead construction risk reviews; maintain risk register and contingency plans.
- Ensure construction meets specifications/standards/regulatory requirements; support CQV readiness and quality documentation/testing.
- Coordinate system/mechanical completion and turnover for commissioning/startup.
Qualifications
- BS in Engineering or equivalent technical degree.
- 20+ years construction leadership (biopharmaceutical preferred, US); mega-capital projects ($500MM+).
- Demonstrated leadership with cross-functional teams; negotiation and risk-based decision making.
- Experience managing EPC/EPCM contractors and global equipment vendors.
- Ability to mentor next-generation leaders; travel required within the US.
Benefits (if applicable)
- Paid time off; medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k); eligible for long-term incentive programs.
The Director of Construction provides senior leadership and owner’s oversight for all construction activities for a ~$500 million pharmaceutical capital project. Serves as the owner’s on-site construction authority, leading the construction management organization and overseeing EPC/CM partners and trade contractors. Ensures safe, compliant, and efficient execution aligned with capital governance, quality systems, and regulatory expectations; coordinates construction with engineering, procurement, CQV, validation, and operational readiness.
Responsibilities
- Lead execution of all site construction activities; lead construction management organization.
- Oversee EPC/CM and trade contractors; provide constructability inputs during design.
- Establish execution strategies, site procedures, and performance expectations; coordinate engineering/procurement/construction/CQV/operations.
- Champion Zero-Incident safety; ensure OSHA/EHS compliance; oversee contractor safety programs, audits, and incident investigations.
- Provide executive oversight of integrated master schedule; manage schedules incl. risk assessments and recovery.
- Oversee construction budgets/cost forecasting; manage cost risks, value engineering, and schedule/cost/risk reporting.
- Lead construction change management; review/negotiation of change requests/claims; manage documentation and cost governance.
- Lead construction risk reviews; maintain risk register and contingency plans.
- Ensure construction meets specifications/standards/regulatory requirements; support CQV readiness and quality documentation/testing.
- Coordinate system/mechanical completion and turnover for commissioning/startup.
Qualifications
- BS in Engineering or equivalent technical degree.
- 20+ years construction leadership (biopharmaceutical preferred, US); mega-capital projects ($500MM+).
- Demonstrated leadership with cross-functional teams; negotiation and risk-based decision making.
- Experience managing EPC/EPCM contractors and global equipment vendors.
- Ability to mentor next-generation leaders; travel required within the US.
Benefits (if applicable)
- Paid time off; medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k); eligible for long-term incentive programs.