Director, Operational Excellence, Government Affairs

Job Description

The Director, Operational Excellence, Government Affairs sets the vision and leads the strategy for process standardization, reporting integration, and operational improvement across AbbVie’s Government Affairs organization, including State Government Affairs, Federal Government Affairs, International Government Affairs, and Global Policy U.S. Access Strategies. Operating within a matrixed environment and partnering with senior leaders in Finance, Business Technology Solutions, Legal, and the Office of Ethics and Compliance, the Director identifies and delivers enterprise-scale automation opportunities for business procurement and data reporting, directs training and organizational learning programs, leads AbbVie corporate political and AbbVie PAC operations, and drives efficiencies that enable Government Affairs to execute its strategies with agility. As a leader of operational change, the Director integrates data and reporting, oversees a portfolio of complex projects, builds and develops a high-performing team, and establishes scalable, sustainable processes that translate Government Affairs priorities into measurable outcomes.

Primary Responsibilities

• Drive Operational Excellence

• Define and lead the Government Affairs operational excellence strategy, identifying efficiency gaps and directing targeted improvements, through technology development, automation, and standardization, that deliver measurable business outcomes.
• Champion the adoption of digital tools, standardized workflows, and continuous improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) across Government Affairs, and lead the associated change management to support business objectives.
• Own process documentation and governance frameworks, institutionalizing standard operating procedures that reduce errors, eliminate redundancy, and ensure consistent, high-quality execution.
• Direct capability development across the function by addressing technical skill gaps, overseeing targeted training, promoting continuous learning, and fostering a growth-oriented, agile environment.

• Reporting, Compliance, and Financial Oversight

• Lead the integration of reporting across functions to meet Government Affairs leadership needs, synthesizing complex, multi-dimensional issues into clear insights for senior decision-makers.
• Establish the KPI framework and dashboards for Government Affairs, and develop and deliver executive-level presentations on Government Affairs’ operational performance.
• Partner with Finance to coordinate and align Government Affairs Leadership for planning cycles [Long Range Plan, Annual Plan, and Latest Best Estimates (LBEs)], provide gaiting, and identify risks/opportunities.

• AbbVie Corporate Political Contributions and AbbVie PAC Operations

• Serve as the senior Subject Matter Expert (SME) and accountable leader for AbbVie political policies and processes, ensuring AbbVie political funding operations are effectively integrated, supported by training, and fully compliant.
• Supports audits and the preparation of annual tax returns in partnership with Finance, Tax and Treasury, ensuring full compliance with requirements for the AbbVie Corporate Political contributions, AbbVie PAC operations and other relevant entities.
• Lead engagement and alignment among key stakeholders, including the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC), Legal, Finance, and the AbbVie PAC Board, and direct annual budget planning, board preparation, and operational processes to ensure transparent, collaborative, and compliant political operations.

• Team Leadership and Development

• Lead and develop the Operational Excellence team, providing ongoing coaching, performance management, and career development consistent with AbbVie Ways We Work.
• Shape organizational design, role clarity, and succession planning to ensure sustained capacity and capabilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, or Finance required; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred. At least 12 years of progressive, cross-functional experience, including people leadership in a large, complex organization; pharmaceutical or other highly regulated industry experience preferred.
• Proven experience building consensus across a cross-functional, matrixed organization and influencing senior-level outcomes without direct authority.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to lead through ambiguity and design and implement innovative, scalable solutions.
• Excellent business acumen and analytical skills, with the ability to anticipate leadership, team, and organizational needs and to proactively identify opportunities and innovations that improve operational efficiency.
• Demonstrated ability to manage large budgets, lead forecasting and horizon scanning, and analyze data to drive evidence-based strategic and operational enhancements.
• Expertise in data management and optimization, leveraging data for reporting, communications, and decision-making processes.

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