Senior Director, AI & Digital Transformation, Operations

The Senior Director, AI & Digital Transformation, Operations will define and drive the enterprise-level digital strategy for AbbVie Operations, spanning Supply Chain, Quality (including QC), Product Development Science & Technology (PDS&T), Engineering, and Security. Reporting to the VP of Operations AI and Digital Transformation, this role sets the multi-year digital vision, architecture principles, and investment roadmap that connect Industry 4.0/5.0 capabilities, data and AI platforms, and site-level execution to measurable business value.

Responsibilities

Define and own the 3-to-5-year Operations digital strategy and target-state architecture across Supply Chain, Quality/QC, PDS&T, Engineering, and Security; Translate strategy into a prioritized, sequenced, and funded roadmap (including LRP resource and investment planning); Scan, benchmark, and assess emerging technologies and recommend adoption pathways; Establish common digital standards, reference architectures, and data foundations that enable reuse and scale across sites and functions; Chair or co-lead digital governance and technology review forums with BTS, Quality, and Security; ensure GxP/data integrity, computer system assurance, cybersecurity (IT/OT), and regulatory expectations are built into every digital initiative; Define business cases, KPIs, and benefit-tracking for the digital portfolio and report realized value to the Ops Leadership Team and Finance; Partner with functional leaders, site leadership, BTS, and Global Engineering & Automation to move proven pilots to standardized, multi-site deployment; Develop strategic relationships with technology vendors, startups, academia, and industry consortia; shape sourcing strategy with Procurement; Build and lead a high-performing digital strategy, architecture, and portfolio team; Represent Operations Digital Strategy in enterprise forums and communicate progress, risks, and investment needs to senior executives

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, Computer Science, or a related technical field; Minimum of 15-18 years of experience in biopharmaceutical, pharmaceutical, or regulated manufacturing operations, digital, or technology roles, including 8+ years leading enterprise-scale digital strategy or transformation in a senior leadership capacity; Proven track record of setting multi-year digital roadmaps and delivering scaled, measurable value across multiple sites and functions (manufacturing, supply chain, quality/QC, engineering, PDS&T); Deep understanding of Industry 4.0/5.0 and digital manufacturing technologies (MES/MOM, IIoT, data platforms, digital twins, advanced process control, robotics/automation, AI/ML and GenAI) and their application in GxP environments; Working knowledge of GxP/GMP, data integrity (ALCOA+), computer system assurance, and OT/IT cybersecurity expectations for pharma operations; Experience establishing digital governance, architecture standards, and investment/benefit-management frameworks in partnership with IT/BTS and Finance; Demonstrated executive presence and ability to influence senior leaders, build coalitions, and navigate a complex global matrix organization; Strong change leadership skills, with experience driving adoption of new technologies and ways of working at scale; Experience building and developing leaders and multidisciplinary teams; Excellent strategic thinking, communication, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex technology concepts into business outcomes

Nice to have

Master's or MBA preferred; Consulting or external technology-partner experience is a plus

Benefits

Paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick); Medical/dental/vision insurance; 401(k) to eligible employees; Eligible to participate in long-term incentive programs