ExploR&D Program Lead – Strategic Collaborations

Eli Lilly and Company; South San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 176,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Pension plan

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Vacation benefits

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Eli Lilly and Company is seeking an ExploR&D Program Lead (EPL) to drive external collaboration programs spanning discovery through clinical proof-of-concept. You will define strategy, forecast resources, and manage timelines and budgets in a cross-functional, high-impact setting within Lilly’s Catalyze360 framework.

Reporting within a centralized PM structure, you’ll lead complex programs, influence leadership, regulators, and external partners, and guide data-driven decisions across modalities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in biology or STEM-related field is required.
• 5+ years of work experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including preclinical-translational sciences and/or clinical-stage drug development.
• Experience leading external collaborations and alliances in matrixed environments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple collaboration teams across ExploR&D programs with external biotech partners.
• Define program scope, translate strategy into executable work plans, and manage timelines and budgets.
• Forecast resource needs and manage large‑scale program budgets to deliver on time and on budget.
• Serve as primary liaison between Lilly and external collaborators to align goals and drive program success.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in biology or STEM-related field

Tools

PMP certification

Job description

Eli Lilly and Company is seeking an ExploR&D Program Lead (EPL) to drive external collaboration programs spanning discovery through clinical proof-of-concept. You will define strategy, forecast resources, and manage timelines and budgets in a cross-functional, high-impact setting within Lilly’s Catalyze360 framework.

Reporting within a centralized PM structure, you’ll lead complex programs, influence leadership, regulators, and external partners, and guide data-driven decisions across modalities