Senior Director, Early Development Portfolio and Platform Lead
BioSpace, Indianapolis, IN, United States
Position Overview
The Senior Director, Early Development Portfolio and Platform Lead sets the strategic direction for delivery system innovation across DDCS, integrating external ecosystems with internal development capabilities to build and advance a differentiated, patient‑centric delivery system pipeline. This senior leadership role includes defining and driving the DDCS early‑phase innovation strategy with a strong emphasis on external innovation sourcing and partnerships, providing strategic oversight of the full early development portfolio and serving as an interface with Lilly enterprise functions and external innovation communities.
Key Responsibilities
Define and drive the DDCS delivery system innovation strategy, establishing vision, priorities, and sourcing mix (internal and external) for the early‑phase pipeline.
Build and lead Lilly’s external delivery system innovation ecosystem—forming strategic relationships with academic institutions, venture‑backed startups, technology accelerators, CDMOs, and device partners.
Establish and own the governance framework, stage‑gate criteria, and investment decision process for the DDCS early innovation portfolio.
Provide strategic counsel to DDCS senior leadership and the broader Device organization on external innovation trends, competitive landscape, emerging technologies, and portfolio gaps.
Champion a culture of innovation and external curiosity across DDCS, building organizational capability in technology scouting, opportunity assessment, and cross‑sector collaboration.
Accountable for overall health, prioritization, and performance of the DDCS early‑phase development portfolio.
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 planning and capital allocation.
Drive DDCS‑wide adoption of standardized early development processes, governance frameworks, and innovation metrics.
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.
Influence resource allocation, organizational design, and capability investment decisions within DDCS in support of early‑phase innovation strategy.
Basic 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.
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.
Additional Preferences
Proven track record of building and leading external innovation programs at enterprise scale.
Ability to define and execute innovation strategies across a large organization, translating priorities into portfolio investment decisions, stage‑gate governance, and resource allocation.
Deep expertise in the external innovation ecosystem relevant to drug delivery.
Established external network in the delivery system, medical device, or drug‑device combination space.
Expert‑level ability to evaluate and communicate the technical, regulatory, and commercial viability of novel delivery technologies.
Strong business acumen with experience constructing investment cases, structuring partnership agreements, and managing external spending.
Demonstrated record of intellectual property portfolio development, including patent strategy and prosecution.
Experience with international innovation sourcing and partnership models across regulatory jurisdictions.
Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, or equivalent advanced project and quality management credentials.
Other Information
Estimated travel is approximately 20% per year.
Position is open for either the Indianapolis or Boston location.
Actual compensation will depend on the candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location: $156,000 – $253,000 annually.
Full‑time employees will be eligible for a bonus program and a comprehensive benefit package, including 401(k) eligibility, pension, vacation, medical/dental/vision benefits, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and well‑being programs.
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.
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Key Responsibilities
Define and drive the DDCS delivery system innovation strategy, establishing vision, priorities, and sourcing mix (internal and external) for the early‑phase pipeline.
Build and lead Lilly’s external delivery system innovation ecosystem—forming strategic relationships with academic institutions, venture‑backed startups, technology accelerators, CDMOs, and device partners.
Establish and own the governance framework, stage‑gate criteria, and investment decision process for the DDCS early innovation portfolio.
Provide strategic counsel to DDCS senior leadership and the broader Device organization on external innovation trends, competitive landscape, emerging technologies, and portfolio gaps.
Champion a culture of innovation and external curiosity across DDCS, building organizational capability in technology scouting, opportunity assessment, and cross‑sector collaboration.
Accountable for overall health, prioritization, and performance of the DDCS early‑phase development portfolio.
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 planning and capital allocation.
Drive DDCS‑wide adoption of standardized early development processes, governance frameworks, and innovation metrics.
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.
Influence resource allocation, organizational design, and capability investment decisions within DDCS in support of early‑phase innovation strategy.
Basic 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.
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.
Additional Preferences
Proven track record of building and leading external innovation programs at enterprise scale.
Ability to define and execute innovation strategies across a large organization, translating priorities into portfolio investment decisions, stage‑gate governance, and resource allocation.
Deep expertise in the external innovation ecosystem relevant to drug delivery.
Established external network in the delivery system, medical device, or drug‑device combination space.
Expert‑level ability to evaluate and communicate the technical, regulatory, and commercial viability of novel delivery technologies.
Strong business acumen with experience constructing investment cases, structuring partnership agreements, and managing external spending.
Demonstrated record of intellectual property portfolio development, including patent strategy and prosecution.
Experience with international innovation sourcing and partnership models across regulatory jurisdictions.
Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, or equivalent advanced project and quality management credentials.
Other Information
Estimated travel is approximately 20% per year.
Position is open for either the Indianapolis or Boston location.
Actual compensation will depend on the candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location: $156,000 – $253,000 annually.
Full‑time employees will be eligible for a bonus program and a comprehensive benefit package, including 401(k) eligibility, pension, vacation, medical/dental/vision benefits, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and well‑being programs.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr