Sr Director - Operations

BioSpace; Huntsville (AL); On-site; USD 164,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Lilly is seeking a Senior Director, Operations to lead manufacturing operations at a greenfield API site in Huntsville, AL. You will ensure capacity, safety, quality, and alignment with long-term goals, guiding startup activities through 2029–2030 and into sustained production.

As a member of the Site Lead Team, you will shape organizational development, partner with cross-functional groups, and uphold Lilly’s standards for operational excellence and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline.
• 10+ years leading pharmaceutical operations.
• Experience in API manufacturing preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cGMP applications in manufacturing.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead manufacturing operations and ensure capacity, capability, and safety.
• Integrate cross-functional support teams and drive site readiness.
• Develop GMP systems and processes for startup.
• Embed lean and continuous improvement across operations.
• Act as end-user representative during project delivery.

Skills

Pharma operations leadership

Regulatory compliance

cGMP knowledge

Project startup leadership

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline

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, selfless 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.

Lilly is currently constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for the production of API molecules. This facility is intended to provide APIs for current and future products, including new modalities. This is a unique opportunity to be a part of the leadership team for the startup of a greenfield manufacturing site, and the successful candidate will help to build the organization, the facility and the culture to enable a successful startup into GMP manufacturing operations.

Position Overview

The Senior Director, Operations is responsible for leading manufacturing operations—either small molecule or siRNA/oligonucleotide—ensuring the organization has the capacity, capability, and leadership to deliver the site’s manufacturing plan. This role also integrates cross-functional support teams and fosters a strong safety culture.

As a member of the Lilly Site Lead Team, the Senior Director contributes to strategic direction, organizational development, and cross-functional issue resolution.

Project Delivery and Startup Phase (2029–2030)

• Supporting facility delivery and operational readiness.
• Building the manufacturing organization and leadership structure.
• Developing and implementing GMP systems and processes.
• Shaping site culture and ensuring alignment with long-term business goals.

Responsibilities

Pre-Startup and Startup Phase:

• Lead collaboratively and energetically across all aspects of operational readiness and startup.
• Build an organization with the capability, capacity, and culture to achieve high standards in safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Develop and implement site systems and processes, drawing on internal expertise and external best practices.
• Embed lean principles and a continuous improvement mindset across operations and support functions.
• Act as the end-user representative during project delivery—providing input on design, commissioning, and startup decisions to ensure alignment with project goals and long-term strategy.

Post Startup

• Develop and execute strategic and operational plans for Production Operations.
• Contribute to the site’s medium- and long-term strategic direction.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., safety, quality/cGMP, environmental, financial, legal, HR).
• Ensure Production Flow and Process Teams meet Lilly’s Manufacturing Standards for Operational Excellence.
• Maintain robust control systems to manage operations, identify compliance risks, and elevate issues appropriately.
• Monitor site and business area performance and take corrective action as needed.
• Lead cross-functional teams to implement new product introductions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop future management and technical leaders for site and global roles.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline
• 10+ years of experience leading operations within the pharmaceutical industry

Additional Preferences

• Experience in API manufacturing and Process Safety Management preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cGMPs and their application in manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships across all organizational levels, including close collaboration with the Site Leadership Team.
• Demonstrated success in leading projects from initiation to completion—on time, within budget, and to high performance standards.
• Skilled in developing and managing high-performing, engaged teams with a strong safety and team-oriented culture.

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 $163,500 - $239,800.

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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