RCI-ABBV-34434 Associate Director Clinical Operations/Clinical Development Operations Lead (Strategic Planning/Change Management/Clinical Development/Oncology/Governance) (Pharma/Biotech)

Role: Associate Director, Strategic Planning and Operations / job title: Consultant

6 months to start

Hybrid 3-4 days a week in Lake County

What are the top 3-5 skills, experience or education required for this position:

• Strong communication and change management skills
• Pharma experience in operations and project management
• Analytics skills and operational excellence background
• 10+ years experience in pharma industry preferably clinical development
• BS, MS in scientific field

Responsibilities

• Support the Oncology Chief of Staff in driving culture, communications, and change-management initiatives.
• Partner with the Oncology Chief of Staff to track external collaborations, maintain stakeholder alignment, and ensure timely, clear communications.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clinical protocols and scientific discussions with external partners.
• Escalate risks, issues, and decisions to the Chief of Staff and functional VP in a timely manner.
• Identify process gaps and improvement opportunities across external collaborations.
• Coordinate cross-functional assessments of external assets and available scientific information, including preclinical data and investigator brochures, to support preliminary development planning.
• Manage contracts and external engagements to implement TA partnering recommendations.
• Maintain the external-collaboration project tracking tool and provide regular updates to the Chief of Staff and VP.

Support late-stage Oncology Clinical Development governance activities.

• Coordinate Oncology Clinical Development protocol review meetings in partnership with Disease Area Heads and Medical/Scientific Directors.
• Maintain trackers and databases for protocol review meetings, decisions, and follow-up actions.
• Capture meeting notes, decisions, and action items; communicate follow-ups clearly to cross-functional partners.
• Drive execution of Oncology Clinical Development initiatives that improve operational efficiency, strengthen culture, and enhance decision-making.
• Work with cross-functional partners to advance Oncology strategic priorities and pipeline goals.

Qualifications:

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information, tailor messages for diverse audiences, and support executive-level communications.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical capabilities, including experience using automation and AI-driven tools to improve efficiency, reporting, and decision-making.
• Experience & Knowledge: Proven ability to lead, manage, and motivate teams in a complex matrix environment; broad understanding of the pharmaceutical industry; and project management experience supporting global programs.
• Collaboration & Leadership: Strong collaboration, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and document complex medical, clinical, and operational concepts.
• Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to anticipate and resolve issues, exercise sound judgment, and evaluate clinical development strategies with a balanced, practical perspective.
• Regulatory & Clinical Knowledge: Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), FDA regulations, and international regulatory requirements and guidelines; experience supporting complex global clinical trials and understanding of drug commercialization and business practices.