Associate Director — Product Research & Development

Eli Lilly and Company; Indianapolis (IN); Hybrid; USD 132,000 - 194,000; Full time

Job summary

Eli Lilly and Company is seeking an experienced technology leader to serve as Associate Director for CMC Product Development within the Tech@Lilly organization. You will oversee the architecture, delivery, and operation of applications, platforms, and AI capabilities powering critical scientific programs.

Based in Indianapolis with a hybrid schedule, you will lead a global team across the US and India, partnering with researchers and leaders to turn science into medicine and to deliver reliable,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 5+ years IT experience with at least 3 years across multiple phases of the software development lifecycle.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; Lilly does not sponsor work visas.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing technology team across US and India.
• Define and lead the technical architecture vision for CTI-MD CMC Product Development portfolio.
• Translate scientific and business demand into delivery priorities and communicate technology direction to stakeholders.
• Ensure lifecycle compliance with Lilly Quality System (GxP, CSA, ALCOA+, SOX) and drive risk mitigation.
• Manage vendor relations, SOWs, contracts, budgeting, and forecasting for the portfolio.

Skills

Team leadership

Architecture strategy

AI/ML experience

Cloud technologies

Agile delivery

Budget management

Vendor management

GxP knowledge

Executive communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life‑changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, self‑less work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.

The Lilly Customer Technology Innovation – Medicines Development is seeking an experienced technology leader to serve as Associate Director for CMC Product Development within the Tech@Lilly organization. You will lead a global team at the intersection of science and technology, leading the architecture, delivery, and operational management of the applications, platforms, and AI capabilities that power one of Lilly's most critical scientific portfolios.

Why This Role

Every day, CMC Product Development turns molecules into medicine — work where every data point matters and every delay carries a human cost. As Associate Director, you will lead the architecture and delivery of the platforms, applications, and AI capabilities behind some of Lilly's most important scientific programs, partnering directly with the researchers and scientific leaders who depend on them. This role calls for a technology leader who combines deep technical expertise with genuine scientific curiosity and the leadership presence to build a high‑performing team and solutions worthy of that work — and to feel the direct impact on patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Team & Talent Leadership: Lead, develop, and retain a high‑performing technology team across US and India locations, with accountability for staffing strategy, performance management, and mentorship of delivery teams across the portfolio.
• Strategy & Architecture: Define and lead the technical architecture vision for the CTI-MD CMC Product Development portfolio — applications, data, integration, and cloud‑native/AI patterns — aligned to Tech@Lilly standards and GxP requirements. Own portfolio governance, roadmap, and agile release planning, and lead architecture governance and risk mitigation across the portfolio.
• Scientific & Business Partnership: Serve as a technology partner to CMC Product Development business and scientific leaders, translating scientific and business demand into delivery priorities. Communicate technology direction and outcomes to collaborators at all levels, and partner with CTI-MD CMC Product Development leadership on strategic roadmap direction.
• Delivery, Quality & Risk: Serve as Technical System Owner, ensuring lifecycle compliance with the Lilly Quality System (GxP, CSA, ALCOA+, SOX) and inspection‑readiness at all times. Drive adoption of emerging technologies, partner with Cybersecurity on risk remediation, and own service transition from delivery to steady‑state operations.
• Vendor & Financial Stewardship: Maintain relationships and performance with key technology suppliers, including SOW oversight and contract compliance. Partner with Procurement on strategic sourcing to optimize cost, capability, and delivery risk, and own financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting for the portfolio.

Your Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Minimum of 5 years IT related experience with a minimum 3 years working across multiple phases of the software development lifecycle — from project initiation through deployment, support, and retirement.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1

What You Should Bring

• Scientific or technical background in pharmaceutical drug development and/or manufacturing (e.g., chemistry, biology, pharmaceutical sciences, or engineering), with the ability to engage credibly with bench scientists and manufacturing SMEs on scientific workflows and data needs.
• Experience applying AI/ML or advanced analytics to solve complex life sciences or drug development problems, with the judgment to distinguish genuine scientific and technical value from hype."
• Experience leading teams using cloud technologies and/or microservices to build enterprise systems.
• Experience leading large‑scale IT transformation programs and leading technical teams, including staffing and performance management.
• Experience with GxP practices, including Computer System Assurance (CSA) and data integrity, in a pharma or life sciences environment.
• Experience developing and managing budgets, forecasts, and vendor/supplier relationships.
• Experience with agile delivery methods, operational excellence and ITIL processes, in a global, matrixed organization.
• Strong executive interpersonal skills, with the ability to calibrate messaging for technical, business, and senior leadership audiences.

Location & Work Flexibility

This role is based in Indianapolis, IN. We offer a flexible hybrid work model, with three days onsite and two days working remotely each week, supporting both collaboration and work‑life balance.
Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.
Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).
Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $132,000 - $193,600 Full‑time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company‑sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well‑being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities). Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.

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