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This position has closed. AbbVie removed this listing from their careers page on Sep 26, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Senior Director, Strategic Planning and Operations, Oncology Clinical Development

AbbVie · North Chicago, IL · Full time · Research

Posted Sep 8, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 25, 2026

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

Tell me about a programme decision you influenced that turned out to be right, and one that didn't.

What they are checking: Both sides, at a level where only wins get presented

How do you prepare an executive committee so a hard decision actually gets made in the room?

What they are checking: Running decision-making, not meetings

What would you do

You'd own the agenda and areas of focus for the executive committee. How do you decide what gets on it?

What they are checking: Agenda control, which is real influence

The posting names ensuring alignment of the target product profile with the development plan. What do you do when they've drifted apart?

What they are checking: The specific misalignment the role exists to catch

How do you advise a development team across the lifecycle without taking over their decisions?

What they are checking: Advising rather than directing, the shape of this role

How do you get a playbook applied consistently when each team thinks their programme is different?

What they are checking: Standard versus exception, named in the posting

This is based at North Chicago. What would you want to know about the oncology portfolio before you took it?

What they are checking: Whether they diligence the pipeline

About the work

This role partners with the therapeutic area leadership team on oncology clinical development strategy. Walk me through how you'd support a therapy area's development decisions.

What they are checking: Strategic partnership rather than project administration

You'd co-lead therapy assessment teams with business development and work with early stage collaborations on external opportunities. How do you assess an external asset?

What they are checking: The business development half of the role

What's your oncology grounding, and where would you rely on the clinical leads?

What they are checking: Honest self-assessment in a scientific setting

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The full job description

As published by AbbVie.

Purpose To enable AbbVie’s emergence as a World Class R&D organization, the Senior Director, Project Management, plays a leadership role with the Development TA Vice President (TA VP) and the Therapeutic Executive Committee (TEC) to optimize the value of our portfolio of current and future assets. Under the guidance of the TA VP, the incumbent is responsible for leading development of the long-term strategy (portfolio plan) for the TA; for supporting existing Asset Development Teams (ADTs) in effective utilization of the Asset Playbook discipline to better enable teams to maximize the value of the asset. Achieving these goals requires a combination of excellent interpersonal and collaborative skills, broad strategic thinking, and an ability to synthesize inputs and drive alignment in complex situations. Responsibilities • Serves as a core member of the TEC as a strategic partner with TA VP and TEC members, with responsibility for the TEC agenda and areas of focus, driving the overall, long-term TA strategy. • Advises ADTs across the lifecycle, to ensure application of the Playbook and alignment of the Target Product Profile (TPP) and Development Plan with the TA strategy. • Partners with Business Development as Co-lead of Therapy Assessment Teams, and works with Ventures & Early Stage Collaborations to undertake external molecule assessments consistent with TA strategy. • Provides strategic input into the development of Disease Opportunity Profiles (DOPs), cross-functional evaluations of potential Discovery initiatives, and the TA investment thesis. • Coordinates the generation of competitive environment assessments for review at TEC, to turn the data into useful working knowledge for the TEC and disease area in support of the pipeline. • As appropriate, facilitates identification, evaluation, and implementation of novel tools and technologies (e.g., biomarkers, drug delivery systems, devices and other platform technologies, compliance tools, disease monitoring techniques) that can be employed to improve or accelerate pipeline progression in disease areas of interest. • In collaboration with relevant functions, drives internal and external stakeholder assessments in order to anticipate changes in the external environment (e.g. regulatory trends, changing payer environment), and to understand the patient journey and levers to improve outcomes. • Coordinates the conduct and rollup of long-range strategic planning and portfolio documentation for the TA, working in close collaboration with the Clinical TA VP, Decision Support Group (DSG), Commercial and R&D. • Works with TA and TEC leaders to identify, prioritize, and nurture external collaborations (consortia, academic and scientific collaborations, key scientific leader advisors, etc.) in areas where we want to further our understanding of disease pathways and mechanisms. Advances our partnerships and alliances for improved outcomes, creating holistic “Total Patient Solutions”. • Bachelors or equivalent degree required. Advanced degree (PharmD, PhD, MD, MBA) highly preferred. • Minimum of 10 years (15+ years preferred) of research/development, commercial, project management, portfolio management, business development, or related experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry with a track record of expertise in one or more therapeutic areas. • Recognized team player with proven facilitative leadership skills in a cross-functional global team environment. Proven performance in a matrix environment with ability to influence and align stakeholders. • Excellent interpersonal skills. Ability to interact externally and internally to support business strategy. • Strong analytical skills. Recognized ability to evaluate complex issues from multiple perspectives to ensure that balanced risk assessments are made. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. 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