Director, Partnership and Program Management, Device & Combination Product Development
AbbVie
June 26, 2026
Remote friendly (North Chicago, IL)
United States
$182,000 - $346,000 USD yearly
Clinical Research and Development
The Director of Partnership and Program Management leads a global team of program and partnership managers who co-lead cross-functional teams focused on drug-device combination products and medical devices. Ensures assigned program strategies and plans align with patient/customer needs and CMC/Asset business objectives. Reports to the Senior Director of Device Technology and Program Management, Device and Combination Product Development.
Responsibilities:
- Establish and maintain robust internal and external collaborations.
- Guide the PM team on project management principles, strategies, and best practices:
- Co-lead drug delivery system product development projects.
- Manage external device partners (interface ownership, governance, and partner evaluation).
- Represent R&D to cross-functional leadership via effective, timely communication.
- Ensure effective meeting use (objectives, agendas, attendees; capture minutes/decisions/action items).
- Allocate resources and forecast for future growth.
- Drive continuous improvement in program/project management processes and tools.
- Ensure governance for external partners (interfaces, meeting cadence, performance monitoring, scope/change control, escalation, risk management, financial tracking) and communicate partner performance as needed.
- Manage a global group of Program Managers (assignment/distribution, team norms/best practices, professional development, performance feedback).
Qualifications:
- Required: Bachelor’s degree in life sciences/engineering/related technical field; Master’s or doctorate preferred.
- Preferred: PMP certification.
- 15+ years in medical device and/or pharmaceutical industry; experience developing/launching drug-device combination products or medical devices (stage-gate; design controls; user research; human factors; design verification/validation).
- Leadership experience; global teams preferred.
- Proficient in project/program management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Smartsheet); ability to create detailed multi-year project plans.
- Conflict resolution and strong oral/written communication; executive presence; people management.
- Experience managing external partnerships.
- Working knowledge of GMP and relevant global regulatory requirements.
- Up to 25% travel may be required.
Responsibilities:
- Establish and maintain robust internal and external collaborations.
- Guide the PM team on project management principles, strategies, and best practices:
- Co-lead drug delivery system product development projects.
- Manage external device partners (interface ownership, governance, and partner evaluation).
- Represent R&D to cross-functional leadership via effective, timely communication.
- Ensure effective meeting use (objectives, agendas, attendees; capture minutes/decisions/action items).
- Allocate resources and forecast for future growth.
- Drive continuous improvement in program/project management processes and tools.
- Ensure governance for external partners (interfaces, meeting cadence, performance monitoring, scope/change control, escalation, risk management, financial tracking) and communicate partner performance as needed.
- Manage a global group of Program Managers (assignment/distribution, team norms/best practices, professional development, performance feedback).
Qualifications:
- Required: Bachelor’s degree in life sciences/engineering/related technical field; Master’s or doctorate preferred.
- Preferred: PMP certification.
- 15+ years in medical device and/or pharmaceutical industry; experience developing/launching drug-device combination products or medical devices (stage-gate; design controls; user research; human factors; design verification/validation).
- Leadership experience; global teams preferred.
- Proficient in project/program management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project, Smartsheet); ability to create detailed multi-year project plans.
- Conflict resolution and strong oral/written communication; executive presence; people management.
- Experience managing external partnerships.
- Working knowledge of GMP and relevant global regulatory requirements.
- Up to 25% travel may be required.