Development Director Jobs at AbbVie with Visa Sponsorship
Development Director jobs at AbbVie sit at the intersection of clinical strategy and commercial execution, requiring deep pharmaceutical or biotech expertise. AbbVie has a consistent record of sponsoring international talent across its development organization, covering both nonimmigrant and immigrant visa pathways for qualified candidates.
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About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
AbbVie's Specialty Pipeline Commercialization Strategy (PCS) team shapes the future of our Specialty portfolio — defining investment priorities, advancing global commercialization strategies for pipeline assets, and developing forward-looking disease area strategies. We partner closely with on-market Commercial teams to maximize asset value through follow-on indications and new development initiatives. Key disease areas of focus include obesity, endocrine/metabolics, virology, gastroenterology, and emerging areas of exploration.
As Director, BD – Specialty PCS, you will serve as a driving force in identifying, evaluating, and executing business development opportunities that strengthen AbbVie's Specialty pipeline. You will lead commercial due diligence, build disease area strategies, and directly engage with internal and external stakeholders to bring transformative assets into the portfolio.
The Director, Specialty BD PCS will report to the Specialty Pipeline Commercialization & Strategy Business Development Lead, and will be based in our offices in Lake County, IL.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead commercial assessments for BD opportunities, including detailed financial modeling (forecasts and P&Ls) that directly inform deal valuation models.
- Partner cross-functionally with Research, Development, Search & Evaluation, and Financial Analytics to support the full evaluation process — encompassing clinical/scientific assessments, competitive landscape analysis, and financial modeling.
- Serve as the commercial voice in BD project reviews, presenting directly to senior AbbVie executives and championing external opportunities with a clear commercial point-of-view.
- Engage directly with C-suite leaders at potential partner companies, VC firms, and investment banks; represent AbbVie at key industry conferences to cultivate relationships and identify new opportunities.
- Collaborate with global colleagues to develop robust perspectives on BD opportunities across major and emerging markets.
Disease Area Strategy
- Lead the development of prioritized disease area strategies, identifying key areas of future opportunity by analyzing disease landscapes, treatment paradigms, competitive dynamics, and market outlook.
- Partner with Search & Evaluation and Business Development to translate disease area strategies into actionable opportunities and aligned BD priorities.
- Rapidly assimilate new disease states — maintaining a patient-centered focus — and integrate HCP and payer insights to inform unmet needs analysis and future market value drivers.
- Build internal and external innovation plans in close collaboration with cross-functional partners (BD Acquisitions, Search & Evaluation, R&D, CMC, Legal, Regulatory, and others), incorporating regulatory and portfolio dynamics.
- Act as the conduit between Development and Commercial teams, fostering information flow that optimizes both disease area and asset opportunities.
- Lead global commercial alignment as the PCS Director, ensuring regional and affiliate market needs are effectively captured in asset strategy.
- Lead internal planning processes (LRP, Annual Plan, etc.) that accurately reflect disease and asset opportunities.
Qualifications
Experience required:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Pharma, biotech, or consultant firm experience is required
- 10+ years of experience with successful track record in pharma commercial/marketing and/or management consulting / investment banking supporting the pharma market
- 5+ years experience with financial modeling, including forecasts and P&Ls
- Prior Director-level experience in Commercial Development, Pipeline Management, or Commercial/Marketing
Preferred:
- Advanced degree (MBA, Ph.D.)
- Strong analytical and strategic marketing skills with demonstrated ability to learn new disease states quickly
- Strong financial acumen, including understanding of P&L drivers and ability to develop SG&A investment and top-line sales forecasts
- Proven ability to produce crisp, executive-ready presentations
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Experience working with matrix-based teams and external experts
- Proficiency in MS PowerPoint and MS Excel
- Self-starter who proactively drives projects to completion
Key Leadership Competencies:
- Builds strong relationships with peers, cross-functional partners, and external stakeholders to drive high performance
- Demonstrates strong planning, coordination, and project management skills; resolves conflict with sound judgment.
- Sets a high bar, remains resilient under pressure, and is never satisfied with the status quo.
- Creates a learning environment open to new ideas, experimentation, and leading through ambiguity.
- Makes the complex easy to understand; demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication, leadership influence, and the ability to manage both internal and external stakeholders with sophistication.
- Exhibits strong diplomacy, organizational savvy, and discretion in handling confidential matters.
- Actively champions AbbVie's culture of inclusion and transparency in all work
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
Company Description
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
AbbVie's Specialty Pipeline Commercialization Strategy (PCS) team shapes the future of our Specialty portfolio — defining investment priorities, advancing global commercialization strategies for pipeline assets, and developing forward-looking disease area strategies. We partner closely with on-market Commercial teams to maximize asset value through follow-on indications and new development initiatives. Key disease areas of focus include obesity, endocrine/metabolics, virology, gastroenterology, and emerging areas of exploration.
As Director, BD – Specialty PCS, you will serve as a driving force in identifying, evaluating, and executing business development opportunities that strengthen AbbVie's Specialty pipeline. You will lead commercial due diligence, build disease area strategies, and directly engage with internal and external stakeholders to bring transformative assets into the portfolio.
The Director, Specialty BD PCS will report to the Specialty Pipeline Commercialization & Strategy Business Development Lead, and will be based in our offices in Lake County, IL.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead commercial assessments for BD opportunities, including detailed financial modeling (forecasts and P&Ls) that directly inform deal valuation models.
- Partner cross-functionally with Research, Development, Search & Evaluation, and Financial Analytics to support the full evaluation process — encompassing clinical/scientific assessments, competitive landscape analysis, and financial modeling.
- Serve as the commercial voice in BD project reviews, presenting directly to senior AbbVie executives and championing external opportunities with a clear commercial point-of-view.
- Engage directly with C-suite leaders at potential partner companies, VC firms, and investment banks; represent AbbVie at key industry conferences to cultivate relationships and identify new opportunities.
- Collaborate with global colleagues to develop robust perspectives on BD opportunities across major and emerging markets.
Disease Area Strategy
- Lead the development of prioritized disease area strategies, identifying key areas of future opportunity by analyzing disease landscapes, treatment paradigms, competitive dynamics, and market outlook.
- Partner with Search & Evaluation and Business Development to translate disease area strategies into actionable opportunities and aligned BD priorities.
- Rapidly assimilate new disease states — maintaining a patient-centered focus — and integrate HCP and payer insights to inform unmet needs analysis and future market value drivers.
- Build internal and external innovation plans in close collaboration with cross-functional partners (BD Acquisitions, Search & Evaluation, R&D, CMC, Legal, Regulatory, and others), incorporating regulatory and portfolio dynamics.
- Act as the conduit between Development and Commercial teams, fostering information flow that optimizes both disease area and asset opportunities.
- Lead global commercial alignment as the PCS Director, ensuring regional and affiliate market needs are effectively captured in asset strategy.
- Lead internal planning processes (LRP, Annual Plan, etc.) that accurately reflect disease and asset opportunities.
Qualifications
Experience required:
- Bachelor’s degree required
- Pharma, biotech, or consultant firm experience is required
- 10+ years of experience with successful track record in pharma commercial/marketing and/or management consulting / investment banking supporting the pharma market
- 5+ years experience with financial modeling, including forecasts and P&Ls
- Prior Director-level experience in Commercial Development, Pipeline Management, or Commercial/Marketing
Preferred:
- Advanced degree (MBA, Ph.D.)
- Strong analytical and strategic marketing skills with demonstrated ability to learn new disease states quickly
- Strong financial acumen, including understanding of P&L drivers and ability to develop SG&A investment and top-line sales forecasts
- Proven ability to produce crisp, executive-ready presentations
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
- Experience working with matrix-based teams and external experts
- Proficiency in MS PowerPoint and MS Excel
- Self-starter who proactively drives projects to completion
Key Leadership Competencies:
- Builds strong relationships with peers, cross-functional partners, and external stakeholders to drive high performance
- Demonstrates strong planning, coordination, and project management skills; resolves conflict with sound judgment.
- Sets a high bar, remains resilient under pressure, and is never satisfied with the status quo.
- Creates a learning environment open to new ideas, experimentation, and leading through ambiguity.
- Makes the complex easy to understand; demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication, leadership influence, and the ability to manage both internal and external stakeholders with sophistication.
- Exhibits strong diplomacy, organizational savvy, and discretion in handling confidential matters.
- Actively champions AbbVie's culture of inclusion and transparency in all work
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our long-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
See all Development Director Jobs at AbbVie
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Development Director Jobs at AbbVie.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Development Director Jobs at AbbVie
Align your credentials to specialty occupation standards
AbbVie's Development Director roles typically require an advanced degree in a life sciences field, clinical pharmacology, or a related discipline. Document how your degree directly maps to the role's technical requirements before your first interview, since H-1B approval hinges on this alignment.
Target AbbVie's therapeutic area teams strategically
AbbVie hires Development Directors primarily across oncology, immunology, and neuroscience pipelines. Applying to a posting that matches your therapeutic background signals fit beyond your title and strengthens the specialty occupation argument your employer will need to make to USCIS.
Search open Development Director roles on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters AbbVie's open Development Director postings by visa sponsorship type, so you can confirm which specific roles are active for international candidates before investing time in an application.
Clarify sponsorship scope during offer negotiation
AbbVie sponsors multiple visa categories for this function, including H-1B, E-3, TN, and Green Card pathways. Ask your recruiter which categories apply to your offer and confirm whether PERM-based permanent residence is included in the package before signing.
Plan around H-1B cap and OPT bridge timing
If you're on F-1 OPT, confirm your OPT expiration date relative to the H-1B cap-subject filing window in April. AbbVie can file a cap-subject petition, but you need enough OPT runway to bridge the October 1 start date without a gap in authorization.
Prepare for PERM's prevailing wage documentation early
If AbbVie initiates a Green Card through PERM for a Development Director role, DOL requires the employer to document that your offered salary meets the prevailing wage for the position and location. Understand the wage level assigned to your role so you can flag discrepancies before the process advances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AbbVie sponsor H-1B visas for Development Directors?
Yes, AbbVie sponsors H-1B visas for Development Director roles. The position qualifies as a specialty occupation given the advanced degree requirements in life sciences, clinical development, or a related technical field. AbbVie files both cap-subject petitions for new hires and extensions for employees already holding H-1B status, and it uses E-Verify to confirm work authorization.
Which visa types does AbbVie commonly use for Development Director roles?
AbbVie sponsors a range of visa categories for this function, including H-1B, H-1B1 visa, E-3 visa, TN visa, J-1 visa, and F-1 OPT and CPT for eligible candidates. For longer-term employment, AbbVie also pursues immigrant visa pathways under EB-2 and EB-3 classifications. The applicable category depends on your nationality, degree, and the specific role's requirements.
What qualifications does AbbVie expect for a Development Director?
AbbVie typically expects candidates to hold an advanced degree, often a PhD, MD, or PharmD, in a relevant life sciences discipline, combined with substantial clinical development experience. Therapeutic area expertise in oncology, immunology, or neuroscience carries significant weight. Experience leading regulatory submissions or managing cross-functional clinical teams in a pharmaceutical or biotech environment is commonly required.
How do I apply for Development Director jobs at AbbVie?
You can browse current Development Director openings at AbbVie with confirmed visa sponsorship on Migrate Mate, which filters roles by visa type so international candidates can identify relevant postings quickly. Once you identify a role, apply directly through AbbVie's careers portal. Tailor your application to the therapeutic area and development phase specified in the job description to strengthen your candidacy.
How do I plan my timeline for AbbVie's visa sponsorship process?
If AbbVie files a cap-subject H-1B on your behalf, expect to start no earlier than October 1 following an April filing. For TN or E-3 candidates, processing is faster and can support a more immediate start date. Green Card sponsorship via PERM typically takes one to two years from initiation to I-140 approval, not counting priority date wait times for certain nationalities.