Director, Oncology, International Public Affairs
AbbVie
August 22, 2026
Remote friendly (Mettawa, IL)
United States
$160,500 - $305,000 USD yearly
Patient Advocacy
Purpose:
The Director, Oncology leads public affairs across AbbVie’s oncology therapeutic area within the international business. The role delivers therapeutic communications, market-shaping strategies to accelerate access to treatment, patient advocacy engagement, and targeted disease profiling initiatives aligned to AbbVie priorities. It partners with Europe and Intercontinental Area/Affiliate colleagues to ensure strong country-level execution supporting patient access and advancing standards of care. Trusted advisor to senior leaders across the therapeutic areas; member of the International Public Affairs Leadership Team.
Core Job Responsibilities:
- Lead development and execution of public affairs priorities across the oncology portfolio.
- Partner with government affairs, market access, and medical to create communication and advocacy strategies improving patient access.
- Set franchise priorities and focus resources for differentiated impact.
- Ensure pull-through of international strategies and measure execution with Europe/Intercontinental regions and Affiliates.
- Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing team.
- Collaborate with U.S. therapeutic communications and R&D communications for a “One AbbVie” oncology pipeline approach.
- Serve on the International Public Affairs Leadership Team.
- Advise senior leaders across commercial, market access, medical, and other functions.
- Represent AbbVie externally with priority patient organizations and media.
- Anticipate communication trends and build new capabilities/efficiencies.
Qualifications:
- 10+ years in public affairs, patient advocacy, external affairs, or related field.
- Bachelor’s in communications/public affairs/journalism/life sciences preferred.
- Demonstrated experience leading therapeutic area public affairs, including milestone communications and disease awareness initiatives.
- International market experience strongly preferred.
- Executive presence; strong writing; ability to communicate with impact.
- Track record executing measurable advocacy and communications strategies.
- Sound judgment under tight timelines/incomplete information.
- Experience and interest in leading/developing teams.
- Oncology experience preferred.
The Director, Oncology leads public affairs across AbbVie’s oncology therapeutic area within the international business. The role delivers therapeutic communications, market-shaping strategies to accelerate access to treatment, patient advocacy engagement, and targeted disease profiling initiatives aligned to AbbVie priorities. It partners with Europe and Intercontinental Area/Affiliate colleagues to ensure strong country-level execution supporting patient access and advancing standards of care. Trusted advisor to senior leaders across the therapeutic areas; member of the International Public Affairs Leadership Team.
Core Job Responsibilities:
- Lead development and execution of public affairs priorities across the oncology portfolio.
- Partner with government affairs, market access, and medical to create communication and advocacy strategies improving patient access.
- Set franchise priorities and focus resources for differentiated impact.
- Ensure pull-through of international strategies and measure execution with Europe/Intercontinental regions and Affiliates.
- Lead, manage, and develop a high-performing team.
- Collaborate with U.S. therapeutic communications and R&D communications for a “One AbbVie” oncology pipeline approach.
- Serve on the International Public Affairs Leadership Team.
- Advise senior leaders across commercial, market access, medical, and other functions.
- Represent AbbVie externally with priority patient organizations and media.
- Anticipate communication trends and build new capabilities/efficiencies.
Qualifications:
- 10+ years in public affairs, patient advocacy, external affairs, or related field.
- Bachelor’s in communications/public affairs/journalism/life sciences preferred.
- Demonstrated experience leading therapeutic area public affairs, including milestone communications and disease awareness initiatives.
- International market experience strongly preferred.
- Executive presence; strong writing; ability to communicate with impact.
- Track record executing measurable advocacy and communications strategies.
- Sound judgment under tight timelines/incomplete information.
- Experience and interest in leading/developing teams.
- Oncology experience preferred.