Director of Project Leadership - New Product Introduction

About Abbott

Abbott is a worldwide healthcare leader dedicated to enhancing lives across all stages. Our extensive portfolio includes pioneering products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutrition, and branded generics, supported by over 115,000 employees serving customers in more than 160 countries.

Work Environment and Benefits

• Opportunities for career advancement within a global organization to help you achieve your professional goals.
• Eligibility for free health coverage under the Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan starting the following calendar year.
• Generous retirement savings plans featuring substantial employer contributions.
• Educational assistance including tuition reimbursement, student debt relief programs, and accessible pathways to earning a bachelor’s degree.
• Recognition as a top workplace globally, honored for diversity, support for working mothers, female leadership, and scientific innovation.

Role Overview

Reporting to the Director of Program Management, this pivotal role within the PMO New Product Introduction team manages a portfolio of NPI programs, ensuring comprehensive coordination from product development through launch and scaling across international markets. You will oversee complex, cross-functional programs and drive successful delivery aligned with business strategies.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead critical NPI initiatives by translating strategic goals into actionable plans and schedules.
• Align program execution with product roadmaps, integrated business plans, and launch objectives.
• Foster collaboration across cross-functional teams and external partners including R&D, Medical, Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, Operations, Commercial, Marketing, Market Access, and Technical Program Managers.
• Identify and resolve execution risks and challenges impacting project timelines.
• Guide program governance, support decision-making at the portfolio level, and continuously improve portfolio management processes and tools.
• Assure readiness across product development, regulatory compliance, digital, and commercial launch activities globally.
• Manage risks, dependencies, and compliance with applicable regulatory and quality standards, escalating issues with strategies for resolution.
• Communicate succinctly with senior leaders, providing decision-support materials including risk assessments and trade-off analyses.
• Coach and develop project and program personnel, foster accountability, and contribute to enhancing PMO standards and best practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least 7 years of experience leading program or portfolio management within global matrix organizations, preferably in consumer medical or software product sectors.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication abilities.
• Preferred qualifications include strong leadership abilities, experience across R&D, Commercial, Clinical, Regulatory, Quality, and Manufacturing domains, and familiarity with medical device regulations such as FDA, ISO, and QSR design controls.
• Proven capacity to lead enterprise-level portfolios, engage senior stakeholders, and manage global teams across multiple time zones.
• Expertise in governance frameworks, operating models, portfolio prioritization, and experience using portfolio management tools.
• Track record of building and managing high-performance teams.

Additional Information

This role is located onsite in Alameda, CA. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering diversity among its employees. Salary range for this position is $172,000 to $344,000 annually, with possible variations depending on specific locations.