Associate Vice President, External Innovation – Immunology

Lilly•South San Francisco, CA

1d•$247,500 - $363,000

About The Position

The Associate Vice President, External Innovation, Immunology owns Lilly’s external innovation strategy across the Immunology portfolio, including all indications of interest and accountability for whitespace and adjacency expansion in immunology-related areas. Infectious Disease is outside the scope of the role. The AVP sets strategy with senior management and leads partnering projects from opportunity identification through deal completion, driving timely execution of the Immunology external innovation agenda and significant portfolio impact. The role may also originate new strategic areas and serves as the primary point of contact for Immunology External Innovation with Corporate Business Development, the Business Unit, and other senior Lilly Research Labs leadership. The position combines scientific judgment, business acumen, portfolio leadership, and influence at senior levels. It leads the search, evaluation, and advancement of external innovation and collaboration opportunities; develops investment theses and deal constructs; guides scientific and business due diligence; and builds organizational alignment behind priority opportunities. The AVP also represents Lilly externally and leads, coaches, and develops the broader Immunology External Innovation team. The role involves 30%–50% travel, including outside the United States. Lilly offers eligible employees compensation and a comprehensive benefits program. The anticipated wage is $247,500–$363,000, and full-time equivalent employees are eligible for a company bonus, depending in part on company and individual performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant area of science and/or healthcare.
At least 8 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, biotechnology, or ventures, including at least 5 years of external innovation experience across multiple areas.
At least 2 years of supervisory experience.
Demonstrated 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.
Demonstrated 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, new company 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.
Ability to manage stakeholders across levels and functions and influence people and organizations.
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 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 and oversee whitespace and adjacency development in immunology-related areas; Infectious Disease is not in scope.
Own delivery of Immunology external innovation priorities and deals, bringing new approaches into Lilly.
Define and frame landscapes, develop investment theses and concept sheets, establish competitive assessments, and set go/no-go criteria.
Identify and search for external innovation and collaboration opportunities, identify potential partners, and lead early assessment and triage.
Lead initial technical evaluations and in-depth scientific due diligence, using relevant therapeutic-area and cross-functional expertise to assess opportunities, risks, and conflicts.
Consolidate diligence and stakeholder feedback into recommendations and management presentations, and work with Corporate Business Development and the Due Diligence team on deal structure and progression to close.
Build organizational conviction and stakeholder alignment behind priority opportunities to support deal execution.
Translate scientific and strategic theses into initial deal constructs, including structure, scope, and value rationale, and lead early commercial discussions with partners.
Maintain scientific and competitive knowledge across internal projects, external opportunities, emerging assets, and platforms from discovery through clinical development.
Represent Lilly’s strategic and external innovation priorities externally, including at industry roundtables and invited presentations, and maintain networks across biotech, venture, and pharmaceutical organizations.
Represent Immunology External Innovation in relevant lead team meetings and maintain forums with therapeutic-area and Corporate Business Development/External Innovation stakeholders to discuss priorities and tactics.
Select topics and presentations for senior management meetings, such as NGI.
Lead the Immunology External Innovation team, supervising, coaching, and developing team members professionally and personally.

Benefits

Company bonus for eligible full-time equivalent employees, depending in part on company and individual performance.
Company-sponsored 401(k) participation eligibility.
Pension.
Vacation benefits.
Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits eligibility.
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.