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Director, Search & Evaluation Project Management - Neuroscience

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Sep 11, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

How do you pull together a cross-functional diligence team when nobody on it reports to you?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead a cross-functional team without authority, using structure and clear expectations to keep everyone delivering on time.

Tell me about a deal that didn't go ahead. What was your part in that decision?

What they are checking: Willingness to be associated with a no, not just the yeses

How do you contribute strategically rather than just running the process?

What they are checking: The posting asks for both, and most candidates offer only one

What would you do

You're working with an external partner who is slow to provide what you need and the deal has a clock on it. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can press an outside partner for information firmly but diplomatically, since damaging the relationship can harm the deal itself.

How do you keep a diligence on schedule when subject matter experts have day jobs?

What they are checking: Whether they can keep diligence moving when experts are busy with other work, using planning and clear priorities.

Several opportunities are live at once. How do you decide where your attention goes?

What they are checking: Whether they can prioritize across several live deals based on value and urgency, since attention is the scarcest resource in business development.

This is based at North Chicago and works with academic institutions and external partners globally. What travel would this realistically involve, and does that work?

What they are checking: Whether they have honestly considered the travel this global role requires, since a mismatch here tends to surface only after someone starts.

About the work

This role runs project management for business development diligences in neuroscience. Walk me through a diligence you coordinated from first look to decision.

What they are checking: Whether they have actually run a diligence from start to finish, coordinating the work and timeline, rather than contributing one piece of it.

What's your neuroscience background, and how do you stay useful in a technical discussion you can't lead?

What they are checking: Whether they are honest about their scientific depth and know how to stay useful when experts lead the technical discussion.

The posting asks you to proactively identify, communicate and manage risks across the deal portfolio. What kind of risk gets missed most often in a diligence?

What they are checking: Whether they know from experience which deal risks are commonly overlooked, which shows real judgment rather than textbook knowledge.

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

The Search and Evaluation (S&E) group actively supports the global Business Development goals by executing on strategic opportunities from academic institutions, biotech/ pharma companies and venture firms for potential research collaborations, in-licensing/ out-licensing assets, venture investments, and company acquisitions. The group is responsible for leading the global search efforts for assets of high strategic value aligning with the needs of AbbVie Research & Development organization’s pipeline goals, and conducting thorough technical due diligence to ensure an in-depth understanding of the science behind each of the those opportunities. As a Director of S&E Project Management Neuroscience, your role is to ensure seamless cross functional execution of our Therapeutic Area (TA) aligned strategies in partnership with S&E TA Leads and team. Responsibilities: • Actively supports the Search and Evaluation lead for all active diligences. • Serves as a core member of the Search and Evaluation team and coordinates activities and deliverables • Actively contributes to cross-functional discussions from both a program management and strategic perspective • Leads and coordinates the of the cross-functional diligences with external partners and internal subject matter experts • Proactively identifies, communicates, and manages risks across the deal portfolio. • Drives cross-functional alignment and structures discussions to enable effective decision-making • Monitors and assesses team performance; shares learnings to drive consistency across the portfolio. • Ensures smooth navigation of governance processes and effective use of each forum for deal progression. • Works closely with S&E operations on all aspects of the external partnering events scheduling. • Bachelors or equivalent degree required. Advanced degree (PhD, MBA, PharmD) preferred • Minimum years of experience - 8+ with Bachelors, 6+ with Masters and 4+ with PHD • 5-7+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry in drug development, business development, or related areas • Experience in Neuroscience research, strategy, or diligence preferred but not required • Strong scientific expertise in one or more of AbbVie’s key therapeutic areas, should have worked as key scientific member on drug development projects • Experience managing partnering/diligence processes and governance for deal approvals • Strong strategic thinking, leadership, and communication skills • Knowledge of program management practices in business development and Search and Evaluation • This is a hybrid role requiring at least three (3) days onsite in the AbbVie offices. 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

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