Art Director

Eli Lilly; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 132,000 - 194,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus eligibility

401(k) plan

Vacation benefits

Medical/dental/vision

Job summary

Eli Lilly’s Thread Collective (TC) on-site in Indianapolis seeks an Art Director to shape integrated, inclusive, digital-first creative across multi-channel campaigns.

You will lead brand-aligned concepts, collaborate with writers and cross-functional teams, ensure accessibility and regulatory standards, and mentor talent while advancing design systems and tools for higher-value work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 10+ years as an Art Director across digital and traditional channels.
• 6+ years in a traditional agency setting leading concepting and creative development.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver integrated campaign concepts across digital, social, video, print, and experiential platforms.
• Collaborate with copywriters, designers, cross-functional teams, and agency partners to build cohesive storytelling.
• Ensure all deliverables meet brand guidelines, accessibility requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Advance design systems, creative platforms, technologies, and tools to strengthen consistency and capacity for high-value work.
• Mentor talent and contribute to a culture of creative excellence and continuous improvement.

Skills

Art Direction

Campaign concepting

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Adobe Creative Cloud

Workfront

Microsoft Office

Job description

This Art Director role at Eli Lilly is based on-site in Indianapolis and sits within Thread Collective (TC), the company’s in-house agency. The position focuses on shaping integrated, inclusive, digital-first creative across multi-channel campaigns, with accountability for brand, accessibility, and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver integrated campaign concepts across digital, social, video, print, and experiential platforms, translating strategic briefs into distinctive, brand-aligned creative for diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with copywriters, designers, cross-functional teams, and agency partners to build cohesive storytelling, present ideas with clarity, and incorporate feedback through the creative process.
• Ensure all deliverables meet brand guidelines, accessibility requirements, and regulatory standards, while actively supporting inclusive design across formats.
• Advance design systems, creative platforms, technologies, and tools to strengthen consistency, streamline workstreams, and increase capacity for higher-value creative thinking.
• Stay current on trends and audience behaviors; mentor talent; and contribute to a culture of creative excellence and continuous improvement through thoughtful reviews and shared learnings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 10+ years of experience as an Art Director across both digital and traditional channels.
• 6+ years in a traditional agency setting leading concepting, pitches, and creative development from initial strategy through final execution.
• Portfolio link required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Portfolio demonstrating range, craft, and strategic thinking across digital and print channels and across campaign types for recognized global brands.
• Deep technical expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, along with strong written and verbal communication skills across organizational levels.
• Proven ability to manage capacity, identify process and technology challenges, and drive solutions via structured project planning.
• Experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare marketing is a plus, but not required.
• Agency experience supporting global brands across multi-channel campaigns, with familiarity with healthcare audiences and compliance-driven review processes.
• Experience leading creative development, social and digital marketing, brand strategy, and omnichannel strategy with a collaborative, ego-free leadership approach.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Workfront, and Agile or Waterfall project workflows.
• Ability to oversee end-to-end video production from storyboard through direction and production review.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development, industry-standard methodologies, and completion of any skills assessments required during selection.

Technologies

• Adobe Creative Suite
• Microsoft Office
• Adobe Creative Cloud
• Workfront
• Agile project workflows
• Waterfall project workflows

Benefits

• Full-time equivalent employees may be eligible for a company bonus, depending in part on company and individual performance.
• Eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension.
• Vacation benefits.
• Eligibility for medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.
• Flexible benefits (including healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts).
• Life insurance and death benefits.
• Certain time off and leave of absence benefits.
• Well-being benefits, such as an employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities.
• Relocation package provided.

Additional Information

• On-site role in Indianapolis; local hybrid work options may be considered.
• Lilly may provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for internal applicants only.
• Travel up to 15% expected.

Compensation

The anticipated wage for this position is $132,000 - $193,600 per year. Actual compensation will depend on education, experience, skills, and geographic location.