Associate Director - L&D Chemical Platform Leader

Lilly • Indianapolis, IN

3d • $127,500 - $187,000

About The Position

Lilly is seeking an Associate Director to lead Learning & Development across a global platform supporting manufacturing sites. The role ensures alignment with global L&D strategies, policies, procedures, and governance while meeting local operational needs. It partners with the global Center of Excellence, Learning Advisors, Learning Excellence Partners, site L&D leaders, and other functions to implement learning solutions that support performance, compliance, and operational excellence.

The position leads and develops a high-performing global team, translating strategic priorities into clear direction and execution. It promotes a modern learning culture that moves beyond traditional site-based, document-focused training toward interactive, digital, experiential, and technology-enabled learning. The leader uses learning evaluation, real-time data, and analytics to measure program effectiveness and business impact, and helps ensure ongoing inspection and audit readiness.

The role works across a complex, matrixed global organization, influencing senior and functional leaders and partnering with Quality, Operations, HR, and Tech@Lilly. It supports platform- and site-specific initiatives related to compliance, manufacturing excellence, workforce readiness, and employee development. The position is based in Indianapolis, with RTP/Concord as the preferred location; travel is 25%–30%, and an Indianapolis-based employee will require 50% travel. It supports manufacturing sites globally.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least 8 years of demonstrated experience in Learning & Development, Talent Development, Instructional Design, or Manufacturing Training, focused on regulated pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing environments.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; Lilly will not sponsor work authorization or visas for this role.
• Strong emotional intelligence and ability to assess individual motivators, team dynamics, and organizational pressures to coach effectively and sustain cohesion through change.
• Ability to make complex technical and business decisions within general functional, company, and industry guidelines while operating with strategic autonomy.
• Strong business acumen and ability to identify and solve complex capability problems, linking learning and workforce readiness to operational and quality performance.
• Proficiency in data visualization and business intelligence tools, such as Power BI or Tableau, and ability to translate data into executive-level insights and strategic action.
• Experience setting strategy and governing at network or enterprise scale by developing frameworks, standards, and governance models for multiple teams.
• Ability to influence internal and external customers and partners to improve technologies, processes, and learning services across a global network.
• Experience leading complex, large-scale programs or initiatives across functions, geographies, and organizational layers.
• Track record of monitoring regulatory and policy developments in GMP manufacturing and directly contributing to decisions about qualification and training regulations or organizational strategies.
• Experience leading learning transformation initiatives in manufacturing, including adoption of next-generation technologies and evidence-based learning design.
• Exceptional executive communication skills, including verbal and written communication and data storytelling, with the ability to simplify complex information for senior audiences and drive decisions.
• Experience in change management within a global, matrixed organization.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Learning Sciences, Instructional Systems Technology, Performance Technology, Organizational Development, Data Analytics, or a related field.
• Recognized internal expertise in manufacturing quality learning strategy, workforce readiness, or qualification program design, with demonstrated ability to influence senior management, regulators, or external partners.
• Deep understanding of GxP, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), regulatory requirements, and compliance training across global manufacturing networks.
• Expertise in competency-based training, AI-driven learning platforms, simulation-based learning, digital academies, and performance consulting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Power Platform, including Power BI and PowerApps, and/or enterprise learning analytics infrastructure.
• Familiarity with on-the-job training program design and on-the-job performance verification approaches used in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Certifications in performance improvement, learning evaluation, or related disciplines, such as CPT, CPTD, ATD, or HPI.

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a high-performing global team, establish expectations, hold team members accountable, and address performance and talent gaps.
• Coach team members in their professional craft, stakeholder influence, and leadership capacity, encouraging independent problem-solving and execution.
• Translate strategic priorities into team direction and execution rhythms, remove blockers, maintain momentum, and align team delivery with leadership expectations.
• Serve as the primary L&D leader across a platform, aligning global L&D strategies, policies, and procedures with local operational needs.
• Partner with the global CoE, LAs, and LEPs to implement future-facing learning solutions that drive performance, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Execute global governance frameworks at platform level and maintain ongoing inspection and audit readiness.
• Champion a modern learning culture using interactive, digital, experiential, global, network-based, and platform-based learning solutions.
• Support platform- and site-specific L&D initiatives that enable compliance, manufacturing excellence, and employee development.
• Use real-time data and analytics to measure learning effectiveness and demonstrate business impact.
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders to embed a learning mindset across the site.
• Proactively address training gaps and regulatory expectations to ensure audit and inspection readiness.
• Advocate for technology-enabled learning, including AI, immersive simulations, digital academies, and just-in-time learning.
• Implement the GMQLD strategy for measuring learning program effectiveness across the platform, including evaluation frameworks, assessment design, and business impact methodologies.
• Act as a strategic partner to Senior Director, COE, global functional leadership, LAs, Site L&D Leads, Quality, Operations, HR, and Tech@Lilly.
• Lead through collaboration and influence across a global network, aligning stakeholders and driving results tied to business outcomes.
• Navigate complex, matrixed relationships across platforms, sites, and senior leadership as a credible cross-functional partner.

Benefits

• Company bonus, depending in part on company and individual performance.
• Eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k).
• Pension.
• Vacation benefits.
• Eligibility for medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.
• Flexible benefits, including 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, including an employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities.

What This Job Offers

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