Associate Director - Catalyze360 External Partnering

Eli Lilly and Company • Us, MA

10d

About The Position

Lilly is seeking an Associate Director for the External Partnering team within Catalyze360, its approach to supporting the early-stage biotechnology ecosystem through access to infrastructure, expertise, and resources. Catalyze360 includes Lilly Ventures, Lilly Gateway Labs, Lilly ExploR&D, and Lilly TuneLabs. Lilly ExploR&D partners with biotech companies from discovery through clinical proof-of-concept, offering support ranging from strategic consulting to full program execution.

The role focuses on expanding early-company outreach across the biotechnology ecosystem. The Associate Director will identify promising emerging companies, build trusted relationships with founders and scientific leaders, and shape engagements that help innovators advance science toward value-creating milestones and medicines for patients. The position calls for drug discovery and development knowledge, business acumen, and established ecosystem connectivity.

Requirements

• Advanced degree (MS, PhD, or PharmD) in a relevant scientific field such as Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or a related discipline.
• At least 7 years of progressive experience in client services, consultative business development, external innovation, biotech partnering, venture ecosystem engagement, pharmaceutical services, or related roles.
• At least 3 years of experience working with early-stage biotech companies, founders, venture-backed organizations, incubators, accelerators, or external innovation networks.
• At least 3 years of hands-on knowledge of drug discovery and development, including scientific, translational, operational, and financing challenges faced by early companies.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or equivalent.
• Proven track record of building external relationships, generating qualified opportunities, and growing consultative service offerings.
• Strong scientific acumen and ability to understand early-stage programs, diagnose strategic needs, and translate complex technical concepts into clear engagement opportunities.
• Ability to build trust and credibility with founders, venture investors, C-level executives, and scientific leaders.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Strategic thinking and ability to identify companies and engagement models aligned with ExploR&D and Catalyze360 priorities.
• Self-motivation and ability to work independently, manage multiple company conversations, and advance opportunities in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with CRM systems, pipeline management, outreach tracking, and business development analytics tools.
• Demonstrated success in consultative selling, needs assessment, and complex solution development.
• Established network within the U.S. biotechnology, venture, incubator, accelerator, or founder ecosystem.
• Experience working with early-stage biotech companies and understanding their scientific, operational, and capital-efficiency challenges.
• Familiarity with consulting, fee-for-service, sponsored research, milestone-based, or other flexible engagement structures.

Responsibilities

• Find, cultivate, and convert opportunities with early-stage biotechnology companies to expand Catalyze360 collaborations.
• Develop and execute outreach strategies to increase awareness of ExploR&D and TuneLab capabilities among founders, venture-backed companies, incubators, accelerators, and emerging biotech networks.
• Build and maintain a pipeline of qualified prospects through proactive outreach, ecosystem mapping, venture and incubator relationships, industry events, and referrals across Catalyze360.
• Lead initial conversations with prospective companies to understand their scientific objectives, development constraints, resource gaps, and potential Catalyze360 solutions.
• Shape customized engagements that connect company needs with ExploR&D expertise and digital solutions.
• Collaborate with Lilly Ventures, Lilly Gateway Labs, Lilly TuneLab, scientific subject-matter experts, and operational teams to coordinate support for promising companies.
• Monitor biotech ecosystem trends, founder needs, funding dynamics, and emerging science to identify outreach opportunities and inform Catalyze360 strategy.
• Represent Catalyze360 at industry conferences, founder forums, incubator events, and networking venues to increase visibility and generate consulting leads.
• Provide leadership with pipeline updates, outreach metrics, company intelligence, and market insights to guide prioritization and resourcing.

Benefits

• Company bonus for eligible full-time equivalent employees, 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