Associate Director - Digital & Data Lead

Lilly • Richmond, VA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Lilly is entering an exciting period of growth and is committed to delivering innovative medicines to patients worldwide. The company is investing in several new state-of-the-art manufacturing sites that will utilize the latest technology for API and Dry products Manufacturing. These facilities will include platforms such as Peptides, Small Molecules, Bio Conjugates, Oligonucleotides and Drug Substance Manufacturing, as well as Dry Products Manufacturing. This role offers a unique opportunity to help build and operate a new site, leveraging advanced, highly integrated, and automated manufacturing systems with a focus on environmental sustainability.

The successful candidate will join Technology at Lilly MQ (Manufacturing and Quality), an organization focused on driving manufacturing operational excellence and productivity through technology. The Delivery Lead for MQ Technology plays a critical role in overseeing and aligning multiple programs to ensure they meet their objectives, timelines, budgets, and impacts. This involves a deep understanding of digital solutions, program goals, and their interconnections across the portfolio. The role requires proactive management of risks, cross-connections, and resource exchanges to ensure cohesive execution, balancing strategic priorities with practical deliverables. This position is essential for aligning all programs with the overall strategy for new facilities and delivering desired outcomes efficiently and within budget. The Delivery Lead will also actively participate in business and strategic financial plan discussions related to programs/projects for new facilities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in IT, Project Management or related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience in program or portfolio management, with a proven track record of successfully overseeing multiple projects
• Experience managing large-scale, cross-functional projects and programs
• Strong understanding of project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Scrum, etc) as well as software development methodologies.
• Experience in Pharma and GMP Manufacturing industry.

Nice To Haves

• 10+ years of experience in IT program or portfolio management within the pharmaceutical or regulated manufacturing industry, with demonstrated success in MES, Data & Analytics, LIMS, or related IDS solution delivery.
• Previous experience leading digital enablement for a new manufacturing facility or clinical development site strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess risks, manage trade-offs, and make sound decisions.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to interact with stakeholders at all levels of the organization
• Demonstrated ability to lead and inspire large cross-functional teams including IT SMEs, contractors, and business representatives.
• Track record of guiding teams through complex problem resolution, digital solution design, and implementation in a regulated environment.
• Strong continuous improvement mindset (Lean, Six Sigma) applied to IT delivery.
• Active participation in industry forums, standards organizations, and global M&Q IT networks.
• Proven ability to network at both site and global levels to shape digital strategy and bring external best practices into LP1.

Responsibilities

• Champion and drive the digital plant strategy for new manufacturing sites, partnering with senior site leadership and global M&Q stakeholders to define and evolve long-term digital roadmaps aligned with site strategic initiatives and LP1 start-up objectives.
• Lead and manage the definition of digital needs and ensure corresponding business processes and roles are in place.
• Maintain strategic oversight of multiple concurrent workstreams, proactively resolving interdependencies and escalations.
• Act as a key strategic advisor to site and IT leadership on digital technology direction, championing technology as a critical enabler of manufacturing strategic initiatives and long-term site competitiveness.
• Provide substantive input to Business Plan and site strategic planning exercises at an executive level, setting direction and priorities for the digital agenda and securing investment aligned with LP1 start-up and long-term operational goals.
• Develop and maintain an expert-level understanding of manufacturing, lab, and quality processes, applying this knowledge to shape and govern digital solutions that maximize business value.
• Lead the critical evaluation of complex stakeholder requests, leveraging deep technical and process expertise to identify true underlying business needs and translate ambiguous requirements into actionable digital strategies.
• Provide executive-level technical vision and governance for the design, development, and integration of enterprise IT solutions (MES, Data & Analytics, LIMS, and related platforms) supporting manufacturing and quality business processes across LP1.
• Ensure all digital programs and solutions adhere to GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, Annex 11, and GAMP 5 standards, leading the validation and compliance strategy across IQ/OQ/PQ activities.
• Build and sustain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, providing clear, data-driven communication on program status, risks, and strategic decisions.
• Proactively identify and manage strategic risks across the digital portfolio, developing executive-level mitigation plans and driving prioritization decisions and resource allocation.
• Own the long-term continuous improvement IT roadmap for the site, evaluating emerging technologies and methodologies to drive operational excellence.
• Establish and maintain a high-impact network across the global M&Q IT organization, site leadership, and external partners, ensuring site-level digital programs align with global IT strategy.
• Drive site-wide adoption of digital solutions, developing and executing organizational change management strategies.
• Champion internal and external digital trends in partnership with Business SMEs to keep LP1 at the forefront of manufacturing technology.

Benefits

• company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance)
• 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)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior