Scientific Director, Medical Affairs - Hematology, Blastic Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cell Neoplasm (BPDCN)

Role Summary

The Scientific Director provides specialist medical and scientific strategic and operational input into core Medical Affairs activities for AbbVie’s Hematology portfolio, supporting asset launches and executional excellence. Key activities include leading external stakeholder interactions (payers, patients, prescribers, and providers) and leading or coordinating evidence generation (clinical, IIS, secondary analyses, real-world data) to demonstrate therapeutic benefit and value. The role drives internal and external scientific communication and educational initiatives, including medical education, data generation, guidelines, and the value proposition. It collaborates with Brand/Commercial teams to provide strategic medical input into core asset strategies and to support medical/marketing activities, promotional material development, product launches, and market access. Deliverables span both early and late-stage development, including gap assessments, integrated evidence plans, and the Scientific Communication Platform. This position can be based at Mettawa, IL (headquarters), Florham Park, NJ, or San Francisco, CA, and follows a hybrid schedule of Tuesdays–Thursdays in office.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with Global Medical teams, Clinical Development, Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, HEOR and other functional areas, provides leadership and support for assigned indications/projects.
• Works closely with Brand Teams and cross-functional / area medical teams to provide strategic input into core asset strategy and to execute medical launch activities for BPDCN.
• Conducts promotional review and assists in the development of scientifically accurate marketing materials, medical education programs, advisories, and symposia.
• Serves as Medical expert for internal and external stakeholders regarding asset clinical profile, value, and appropriate use in BPDCN, and provides Medical review for cross-functional deliverables, ensuring compliance and scientific accuracy.
• Develops innovative research concepts, generates evidence, and drives execution of scientific communication plans, including high-quality publications, presentations, and educational programs.
• Engages and cultivates relationships with key opinion leaders, scientific advisors, and advocacy groups within the BPDCN community.
• Monitors the evolving BPDCN landscape to inform business decisions and anticipate future needs.
• Leads the development and execution of advisory boards.
• May lead delivery of medical functional plan, brand plan, and/or integrated evidence plan.

Qualifications

• Significant industry experience (minimum 7–10 years) with demonstrated clinical trial or medical affairs expertise.
• Minimum 4 years of clinical trials experience in the pharmaceutical industry or academia or equivalent. Knowledge of clinical trial methodology, data analysis and interpretation, regulatory requirements governing clinical trials and experience in development strategy and the design of protocols.
• Deep understanding of hematologic malignancies; experience in rare diseases, BPDCN, or related fields is a strong plus.
• Proven strategic leadership, influencing, and collaboration skills in cross-functional environments. Ability to interact externally and internally to support global business strategy.
• Expertise in evidence generation, scientific communication, and health economics/outcomes research.
• Must possess excellent presentation, organizational, and written/oral communication skills.

Education

• Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, or equivalent) required; additional post-doctoral experience highly preferred.

Skills

• Stakeholder engagement and relationship management with key opinion leaders, scientific advisors, and advocacy groups.
• Strategic medical input and cross-functional collaboration across Global Medical, Clinical Development, Commercial, Market Access, Regulatory, and HEOR.
• Evidence generation, medical education, scientific communication, and health economics/outcomes research.
• Excellent presentation, organizational, and written/oral communication skills.