AbbVie

Director, Construction API

AbbVie • $150K — $200K *
North Chicago, IL 60064In-Person
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
15+ years of experience
1 month ago
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • BS in Engineering or equivalent technical degree required.
  • Over 20 years of experience as a construction leader, ideally in the U.S. biopharmaceutical sector.
  • Extensive background in managing mega-capital projects of $500MM+.
  • Strong leadership skills with experience in cross-functional team dynamics and executive communication.
  • Proven track record with Engineering, EPC/EPCM contractors, and equipment vendors.
  • Exceptional negotiation skills and a focus on results-driven, risk-based decision making.
  • Ability to mentor and foster leadership development among team members.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as the leading authority on site construction activities for the owner.
  • Lead and manage a team of construction managers, field engineers, and site supervisors.
  • Oversee EPC/CM contractors and trade contractors to align with project goals.
  • Contribute to constructability studies and advise on optimal construction strategies during design.
  • Establish construction plans, procedures, and performance standards to drive success.
  • Facilitate coordination between engineering, procurement, and operational teams during construction.
  • Enforce a culture of safety and ensure compliance with OSHA and corporate EHS standards.

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick leave).
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
  • 401(k) plan for eligible employees.
  • Participation in long-term incentive programs.
Full Job Description
Job Description

Purpose:

The Director of Construction provides senior leadership and owner's oversight for all construction activities associated with a ~$500 million pharmaceutical capital project. The role is responsible for ensuring safe, compliant, and efficient construction execution while maintaining strict alignment with the company's capital governance, quality systems, and regulatory expectations. Functioning as the owner's on-site construction authority, the Director of Construction leads the construction management organization and oversees EPC/CM partners and trade contractors. The role ensures that construction activities are executed safely, delivered on schedule and within approved capital budgets, and meet the quality and compliance standards required for pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities. This position plays a critical role in integrating construction with engineering, procurement, commissioning, qualification, validation, and operational readiness to enable successful facility start-up. The incumbent will report to Strategic Projects Director in the Operations Transformation organization.

Responsibilities:
  • Serve as the owner's senior construction leader responsible for execution of all site construction activities.
  • Lead the owner's construction management organization including construction managers, field engineers, and site supervision.
  • Provide governance and oversight of EPC/CM contractors and trade contractors to ensure alignment with project objectives.
  • Take active part in constructability studies and provide inputs for the optimal construction strategy during design.
  • Establish construction execution strategies, site procedures, and performance expectations.
  • Ensure effective coordination between engineering, procurement, construction, CQV, and operations teams.
  • Drive accountability across contractors to meet project commitments.
  • Champion a Zero Incident safety culture consistent with corporate EHS standards and ensure full compliance with OSHA regulations and corporate safety management systems.
  • Oversee contractor safety programs, audits, and incident investigations. Lead proactive hazard identification and mitigation initiatives across all construction activities.
  • Monitor safety performance and implement corrective actions where necessary.
  • Provide executive oversight of the integrated master project schedule with emphasis on construction milestones and critical path activities.
  • Ensure contractors develop and maintain realistic and achievable schedules aligned with project objectives.
  • Monitor progress, productivity, and performance metrics.
  • Lead schedule risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
  • Implement schedule recovery plans where necessary.
  • Maintain oversight of construction budgets, commitments, and cost forecasts with accurate cost reporting and financial transparency across contractors.
  • Monitor cost performance against approved capital authorization by identifying cost risks and implement mitigation strategies.
  • Drive value engineering and cost optimization initiatives where available.
  • Lead the construction change management process in accordance with corporate capital governance procedures.
  • Review and evaluate contractor change requests and claims, Negotiate commercial impacts and ensure proper documentation, maintain governance and control over construction costs throughout the project
  • Lead construction risk reviews with project leadership and contractors, Maintain a construction risk register and ensure mitigation strategies are implemented and develop contingency plans for critical construction risks.
  • Ensure construction execution meets project specifications, corporate engineering standards, and regulatory requirements.
  • Support construction readiness for commissioning, qualification, and validation (CQV) activities.
  • Ensure proper documentation, inspections, and testing in accordance with quality systems.
  • Coordinate closely with Quality Assurance, CQV, and validation teams to support regulatory readiness.
  • Ensure construction activities support timely turnover to commissioning and qualification teams.
  • Coordinate system completion, mechanical completion, and turnover documentation while supporting startup readiness and operational handover planning.
  • Support capital governance processes including stage-gate approvals and project reviews.
  • Provide regular reporting to senior leadership on safety, schedule, cost, risk, and construction performance.
  • Manage capital expenditure including cost forecasting, change management, and financial reporting


Qualifications
  • BS, Engineering or equivalent technical degree required.
  • 20+ years of experience as a construction leader, preferably in the biopharmaceutical industry in the United States
  • Proven leadership experience in construction management of mega-capital projects ($500MM+)
  • Proven inclusive management and leadership capabilities of large cross-functional teams and the ability to effectively interact and communicate with senior leadership and executives from strategic partners and authorities
  • Demonstrated experience managing Engineering, EPC/EPCM contractors and global equipment vendors
  • Results-oriented leadership with outstanding negotiation skills and risk-based decision making is required
  • Ability to mentor and develop next generation of leaders
  • Travel within the US outside the US for reviews/workshops/visits to vendor facilities will be required.


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 thisposting 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 anduntil paid and may be modified at the Company's sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.

About AbbVie

AbbVie develops pharmaceuticals and medical devices. They provide products and services to therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology, neuroscience, eye care, virology, women's health, and gastroenterology.

AbbVie Careers

Joining AbbVie means becoming part of a global team dedicated to making a remarkable impact on patients' lives. At AbbVie, our employees are united in the pursuit of groundbreaking innovation and are committed to transforming the future of healthcare with leading-edge science.

Work You’ll Do

At AbbVie, you’ll collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry to solve challenging problems that have a high impact on society. Our culture fosters growth and embraces leadership and diversity training, ensuring that every team member can thrive.

Explore Job Opportunities

AbbVie offers a wide range of job opportunities and career paths, providing a platform where professionals can propel their careers forward. From research and development to marketing and sales, the potential to make a significant impact is limitless.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with an AbbVie internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry experience and a chance to develop essential skills in a real-world setting. Interns at AbbVie are considered integral members of the team and are given tasks that are both challenging and rewarding.

Professional Growth and Development

We believe in nurturing our team's professional growth through comprehensive training programs, leadership development opportunities, and continuous learning. Our commitment to your career growth is reflected in our robust offerings that enhance your skills and knowledge.

Benefits and Culture

AbbVie is dedicated to supporting our employees' well-being both inside and outside of work. Our benefits package includes health, financial, and social benefits that are designed to support the diverse needs of our employees. Our inclusive culture encourages collaboration and innovation, fostering a workplace where all can excel.

Hiring Process

Our hiring process is designed to ensure a match that will be beneficial both for the company and for your career aspirations. From resume submission to interview, each step is an opportunity to showcase your skills and fit with the AbbVie team.

Networking and Career Advancement

At AbbVie, networking doesn’t just enhance your career; it propels it. We encourage our employees to engage internally and externally to build relationships that foster personal and professional growth.

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Explore AbbVie Jobs

Whether you’re seeking to advance your career in a dynamic and empowering environment, or looking for a place where you can innovate, lead, and contribute to something bigger, AbbVie is the place for you. Join us in our mission to discover and deliver innovative medicines that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow.
Learn more about AbbVie
Size
50,000 employees
Market Cap
$288.5 billion
Industry
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
Net Income
$4.6 billion
Founded
2013
5 Year Trend
+17%
Revenue
$45.8 billion
NASDAQ
ABBV
* Ladders Estimates

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