Associate Vice President, External Innovation – Immunology

Eli Lilly and Company•Us, IN

About The Position

The Associate Vice President, External Innovation, Immunology owns external innovation strategy across Lilly’s Immunology portfolio, covering all indications of interest and whitespace and adjacency expansion in immunology-related areas. Infectious Disease is not in scope. The role sets strategy with senior management, leads partnering projects from opportunity identification through deal completion, and ensures timely delivery of the Immunology external innovation agenda through high-value deals and significant portfolio impact. It serves as the single point of contact for Immunology external innovation with Corporate Business Development, the Business Unit, and other senior Lilly Research Labs leadership, and leads and develops the Immunology External Innovation team. The role combines scientific and technical judgment with business acumen to search for, evaluate, and advance external innovation and collaboration opportunities. It develops investment theses, assesses scientific, technical, and business considerations, conducts due diligence, makes recommendations, shapes deal constructs, and works with internal stakeholders and partners to progress transactions. It also represents Lilly’s strategy and external innovation priorities with external organizations and at industry events. The position requires a relevant science or healthcare degree, at least eight years of industry or venture experience including at least five years in external innovation across multiple areas, at least two years of supervisory experience, and a track record of leading a high-performing team. Travel is 30%–50%, including outside the U.S. The anticipated wage is $247,500–$363,000. Full-time equivalent employees are eligible for a company bonus, subject in part to company and individual performance, and eligible employees may participate in Lilly’s comprehensive benefits program.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and/or higher degree in a relevant area of science and/or healthcare.
At least 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, biotech, or ventures, including at least 5 years of external innovation experience across multiple areas.
At least 2 years of supervisory experience.
Proven track record of successfully leading a high-performing team.
Strong scientific background in the area of interest, with accomplishments in drug discovery or development.
Understanding of unmet need, target landscape, emerging technologies, competition, and portfolio trends.

Nice To Haves

Ph.D. or equivalent in a relevant area of science is highly preferred.
MBA degree is a plus.
Strong understanding of strategic and financial considerations underlying deal priorities and partner considerations, and working knowledge of a wide variety of deal structures.
Proven ability to define and develop new strategic areas using scientific insight and the external environment.
Track record of leading high-value deals and transaction teams across deal structures and external partners, including innovation acquisitions, multitarget platforms, co-development, newco or asset creation, and equity investments.
Strong business acumen across drug development, portfolio strategy, and commercialization.
Ability to drive deals in a matrix environment and partner effectively across science, business, finance, legal, and Corporate Business Development to progress and close deals.
Ability to manage stakeholders across levels and functions and influence people and the organization.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate Lilly’s strategy and priorities and represent Lilly professionally.
Ability to set strategy and progress a portfolio of deals with minimal guidance.
Experience in new company creation, venture capital interactions, healthcare consulting, or spinout management.
Experience and knowledge in Immunology and other relevant areas.

Responsibilities

Own and develop the Immunology therapeutic-area external portfolio and innovation strategy, including originating new strategic areas and engaging independently with senior management and stakeholders.
Cover all indications of interest within Immunology, including whitespace and adjacency development in immunology-related areas; Infectious Disease is out of scope.
Own delivery of Immunology external innovation priorities and deals.
Identify and search for external innovation and collaboration opportunities, identify potential partners, and lead early assessment and triage.
Define and frame opportunity landscapes, investment theses, concept sheets, competitive frames, and go/no-go criteria.
Lead initial technical evaluations and in-depth scientific due diligence, leveraging relevant therapeutic-area and cross-functional expertise; identify opportunities and risks, resolve conflicts, and align stakeholders.
Consolidate assessments and feedback into recommendations and management presentations; collaborate with Corporate Business Development and the Due Diligence team on deal structure and progression to close.
Build organizational conviction behind priority opportunities by applying business judgment across research and development, portfolio strategy, and commercialization.
Translate scientific and strategic theses into initial deal constructs, including structure, scope, and value rationale; lead early commercial discussions with partners.
Maintain scientific and competitive knowledge of internal portfolio projects, external opportunities, and emerging assets, from discovery through clinical development and platforms.
Represent Lilly’s external innovation priorities externally, including through industry roundtables, invited presentations, and networks across biotech, venture, and pharma.
Represent Immunology external innovation in relevant lead team meetings and maintain forums to discuss priorities and tactics with therapeutic-area and Corporate Business Development/external innovation stakeholders.
Select topics and presentations for senior management meetings, such as NGI.
Lead, supervise, coach, and develop the Immunology External Innovation team, supporting team members’ professional and personal growth.
Stay at the forefront of external innovation and bring new approaches into Lilly.

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.
Employee resource groups open to all employees.