Advisor-Quality Assurance, R&D Technical Development

elanco; Liverpool; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Elanco, a global leader in animal health, seeks an Advisor, Quality - R&D to provide global quality leadership across R&D and external partners. You will guide GMP compliance, implement quality systems, and support product development from early stages through registration.

Ideal candidates bring a PhD or Master’s in a life sciences field, 5+ years in QA/QC with GMP/regulatory expertise, and the ability to drive cross-functional quality outcomes in a global setting.

Qualifications

• PhD in Life Sciences or Master’s in a relevant field with experience in QA/QC.
• Deep knowledge of GMP and global regulatory requirements (FDA/EMA/MHRA).
• Experience guiding R&D through development to regulatory submission.

Responsibilities

• Provide global quality leadership across R&D teams and CMOs.
• Lead GMP/compliance programs, trainings, and quality systems.
• Oversee CSV/IT validation, CMC documentation, and release readiness.
• Manage third-party audits, CAPA, and quality agreements.
• Drive continuous improvement and ensure adherence to standards.

Skills

Quality Leadership

GxP Compliance

Regulatory Knowledge

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

PhD in Life Sciences

Master's in relevant field

Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) - it all starts with animals!

As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose - all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.

At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you'll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.

Making animals' lives better makes life better - join our team today!

Your Role: Advisor, Quality - R&D

Position Description

Provides Quality Leadership and GMP compliance guidance across global R&D teams, project groups, and CMOs to support product development, technical transfers, registrations, and successful launches. Partners cross-functionally to shape overall quality strategy and ensure full alignment with Elanco standards and global regulatory requirements. Proactively drives continuous compliance by implementing and optimizing quality systems, tools, and training tailored to technical development activities.

Your Responsibilities

• Strategic Quality Leadership & Project Guidance: Serves as a global quality expert across R&D and project teams, setting quality strategies, resolving complex compliance challenges, and developing and delivering compliance training.
• Digital Systems & Equipment Oversight: Drives quality oversight for Computer System Validation (CSV), AI governance, ELN implementation, and equipment commissioning (IQ/OQ/PQ) to ensure digital tools and systems meet GxP and regulatory standards.
• GxP Documentation, Release & Inspections: Conducts scientific and compliance reviews of CMC, preclinical, and clinical documentation, oversees material release (drug substance/product), and leads inspection readiness for regulatory authorities.
• Third-Party & Vendor Oversight: Manages qualifications, audits, CAPA reviews, and Quality Agreements for external partners including CMOs, CROs, and TPOs.
• Quality Excellence & Continuous Improvement: Champions global R&D Quality Plans, self-inspections, quality metrics, and adherence to all Elanco Global Quality, HSE, and ethics standards.

What You Need to Succeed (Minimum Qualifications)

• Education: Ph. D. in Life Sciences or Master's degree with relevant equivalent experience in Technical Area (Pharmacy, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry)
• 5+ years' experience in Quality Assurance, Quality Control or related technical field (Pharmaceutical Development, Manufacturing, Chemical Engineering etc.)
• Expert knowledge of GMP and global regulatory requirements (e.g., FDA/CVM, EMA, MHRA/VMD), CMC-related activities, and R&D Quality Assurance from development through registration.
• Proven ability to interpret complex regulations/policies, influence without authority, and drive favorable quality outcomes across multi-disciplinary project teams.

What Will Give You a Competitive Edge (Preferred Qualifications)

• Vaccine / animal health and/or biotherapeutics (large molecule) development background.
• Experience in equipment qualification (plans, test scripts, summary reports) and computerized system validation (CSV) with IT/Engineering.
• Experience designing or maintaining R&D Quality Systems, standard processes, and compliance training programs.
• Skilled in Quality risk-assessment methodologies
• Auditing experience

Additional Information

Expected travel: up to 10%
Onsite Hybrid - Speke, UK

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.