Senior Director, Early Development Portfolio Lead

Role Overview

• Define and drive the DDCS delivery system innovation strategy, establishing the vision, priorities, and sourcing mix (internal and external) for the early-phase pipeline in alignment with Lilly’s therapeutic and commercial objectives
• Build and lead Lilly’s external delivery system innovation ecosystem—forging strategic relationships with academic institutions, venture-backed startups, technology accelerators, CDMOs, and device partners to access and in-license best-in-class delivery technologies ahead of the industry
• Establish and own the governance framework, stage-gate criteria, and investment decision process for the DDCS early innovation portfolio, ensuring disciplined, data-driven advancement from ideation through proof-of-concept and into formalized development
• Provide strategic counsel to DDCS senior leadership and the broader Device organization on external innovation trends, competitive landscape, emerging technologies, and portfolio gaps; translate insights into actionable investment theses
• Champion a culture of innovation and external curiosity across DDCS, building organizational capability in technology scouting, opportunity assessment, and cross-sector collaboration
• Accountable for the overall health, prioritization, and performance of the DDCS early-phase development portfolio—setting direction for program leads and ensuring alignment between portfolio investments and strategic priorities
• Integrate portfolio intelligence across internal programs and external partnerships into a unified, leadership-ready view of pipeline status, resource requirements, risks, and investment opportunities for annual business planning and capital allocation
• Drive DDCS-wide adoption of standardized early development processes, governance frameworks, and innovation metrics, institutionalizing best practices across internal and externally sourced programs
• Serve as an interface with Lilly enterprise functions—Global Business Development, Corporate Strategy, Research, and Therapeutic Business Units—to ensure alignment between delivery system innovation and drug development priorities
• Represent DDCS at external conferences, industry consortia, and partner forums; build Lilly’s reputation as a preferred innovation partner in the delivery system and drug-device combination space
• Influence resource allocation, organizational design, and capability investment decisions within DDCS in support of early-phase innovation strategy

Requirements

• Advanced degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, or a related technical field
• 10+ years of progressive leadership in delivery system development, medical device innovation, or drug-device combination product development in a regulated environment, with demonstrated accountability at a senior director or equivalent level
• Strategic thinking with the ability to synthesize complex technical, commercial, and competitive inputs into clear priorities and decisive recommendations
• Exceptional communication and influence skills; able to engage effectively with C-suite and Board-level stakeholders, external partners, and cross-functional leadership
• Proven track record of building and leading external innovation programs at enterprise scale, including deal sourcing, technology evaluation, partnership structuring, and integration of externally originated programs into internal development pipelines
• Demonstrated ability to define and execute innovation strategies across a large organization, with experience translating strategic priorities into portfolio investment decisions, stage-gate governance, and resource allocation
• Deep expertise in the external innovation ecosystem relevant to drug delivery: knowledge of startup and venture landscapes, academic technology transfer, CDMO innovation capabilities, and industry consortia in the delivery system space
• Established external network in the delivery system, medical device, or drug-device combination space; recognized as an industry thought leader or active participant in relevant professional communities
• Expert-level ability to evaluate and communicate the technical, regulatory, and commercial viability of novel delivery technologies to both technical and non-technical senior leadership audiences
• Strong business acumen with experience constructing investment cases, structuring partnership agreements, and managing external spending at a portfolio level
• Demonstrated record of intellectual property portfolio development, including patent strategy and prosecution, or technology in-licensing in delivery system innovation; published thought leadership or speaking engagements at major industry forums (e.g., Drug Delivery Partnerships, PDA, AAPS)
• Experience with international innovation sourcing, partnership models across regulatory jurisdictions, and global development programs
• Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, or equivalent advanced project and quality management credentials

Tech Stack

• PMP

Benefits

• 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
• well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities)