Senior Director, R&D Quality Transformation and Data Science

AbbVie is dedicated to delivering a consistent stream of innovative, safe, and effective medicines and products that solve serious health issues and have a remarkable impact on people’s lives. As a quality organization in research & development, R&D Quality Assurance is committed to driving quality excellence across all stages of discovery and development for the product’s lifecycle to achieve product realization and accelerate access to innovative therapies and products for our patients.

Patient needs, stakeholder demands, industry innovation, regulatory landscape, and AbbVie’s evolved business strategy are complex, rapid pace, and dynamic. Emphasizing and embedding quality in the execution of clinical trials, post market vigilance, and post market studies assures patient safety, maintains data integrity, fosters regulatory compliance, and contributes to the overall success of drug/device development programs.

The Sr Director, R&D Quality Transformation and Data Science is an enterprise leader driving transformation across R&D Quality Assurance, integrating digital, analytics (including AI/ML), and operational best practices. This role sets the strategic vision for optimizing quality processes, data science, and AI, building insights from the Quality Beyond Compliance diagnostic survey and other organizational feedback to elevate quality culture, streamline ways of working, and accelerate innovation.

This position is suited for a transformative leader passionate about shaping R&D QA’s future—not just through technology and data science, but through operational excellence and a commitment to quality culture informed by stakeholder insights. The role reports directly to the Vice President of R&D Quality Assurance and is a member of the R&D Quality Leadership Team. They are expected to role model performance, leadership, and behaviors (AbbVie’s Ways We Work) for the wider organization.

Primary responsibilities: 

• Develop, own, and continuously evolve the long-term strategy and roadmap for R&D QA transformation—including advanced analytics, AI/ML, process optimization, and operational excellence—anchored to organization-wide priorities, regulatory requirements, and diagnostic insights. 
• Evaluate and translate survey and diagnostic findings into prioritized change initiatives addressing root causes and opportunities for improvement in both quality culture and business operations.
• Lead high-performing, multi-layered global matrixed teams (senior leaders, directors, managers, and technical experts) to deliver advanced analytics, enable digital transformation, and reimagine processes across the R&D QA landscape.
• Champion investments and adoption of new technologies, platforms, and operating models that drive operational efficiency, data-driven decision making, and sustained quality improvement.
• Oversee alignment and execution of cross-functional, enterprise-level analytics and transformation projects, including resource planning, budget ownership, measurable outcomes, and ongoing stakeholder engagement.
• Set policy and governance for data quality, analytics compliance, AI/ML usage, and change management, ensuring all enhancements meet regulatory and business standards.
• Advise senior leaders on risks, impacts, and opportunities related to QA transformation, digital strategies, and emerging regulatory trends.
• Build partnerships across IT, R&D, Regulatory, and Business functions—promoting a culture of innovation, collaboration, and transparency.
• Represent R&D QA internally and externally, advancing quality analytics, process excellence, and talent development.
• Promote continuous learning, diversity, and upskilling to support evolving business and digital needs.