AVP, Oncology Pharmacology

Eli Lilly and Company • Us, IN

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Oncology Pharmacology senior leader leads a group of scientists researching medicines for cancer and oversees multiple portfolio projects, with responsibility for delivering clinical candidates. As a member of the Oncology portfolio leadership team, the role helps set portfolio strategy, balancing near-term medicine delivery with innovative, differentiated products across small- and large-molecule modalities. The leader integrates cross-functional information to set program priorities and portfolio decisions, manages and mentors project leaders and scientists, and works with senior leadership and clinical colleagues to align target product profiles and product differentiation.

The role collaborates across Lilly locations and functions, including CMC, toxicology, translational, and clinical teams. It helps maintain the scientific quality and efficiency of the Oncology organization and contributes to the company’s strategic direction. The successful candidate will work in Lilly’s laboratories at its Indianapolis headquarters facility. Estimated travel is approximately 20%, with physical demands and travel details otherwise listed as TBD.

Requirements

• PhD in pharmacology, cancer cell biology, or an allied discipline.
• At least 15 years of experience, including at least 10 years of direct drug development experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated success developing Oncology medicines across modalities; experience with large molecules, including ADCs, is desired but not required.
• Experience with IND submissions and generation of preclinical data packages.
• Hands-on drug-hunting experience and a track record of progressing multiple programs to Phase 1.
• Ability to collaborate with translational functions, including PK/PD, toxicology, and antibody discovery.
• Deep understanding of drug discovery and development through Phase 1 or beyond.
• Proven success leading, managing, and coaching large cross-functional teams in dynamic organizations.
• Experience overseeing work performed by third parties, vendors, or strategic partners.
• Experience collaborating across scientific disciplines to meet business goals.
• Demonstrated business acumen.
• Demonstrated excellence in making strategic decisions in support of broader business goals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee teams of scientists leading individual portfolio programs and mentor next-generation project leaders.
• Synthesize cross-functional information, including target biology, clinical opportunity, product differentiation, and competitive landscape, to support Oncology strategy and portfolio priorities.
• Serve on the Oncology portfolio leadership team and work with peer leaders in New York and South San Francisco to advance molecules from early discovery to IND.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across Lilly to execute Oncology programs and provide project teams with expertise, resources, and infrastructure.
• Integrate newly acquired technologies and scientific teams into portfolio projects.
• Oversee the design and execution of mechanistic and preclinical experiments across oncogenic mechanisms and tumor indications.
• Contribute to business development strategy and recommend modalities, targets, and platforms that can add value to the Oncology portfolio.
• Assess external opportunities, participate in formal diligence, and make recommendations to leadership.
• Prepare documents and present at leadership meetings, including Discovery portfolio reviews, Clinical review meetings, and Candidate advancement reviews.
• Deliver preclinical development sections for IND submissions and supporting preclinical reports.
• Partner with Translational and Clinical colleagues to define biomarker, patient-selection, and indication strategies and develop PK/PD-based dose projections.
• Lead, coach, develop, and manage teams of project leaders and scientists.
• Guide internal teams on strategic business decisions and build and execute roadmaps for targets and strategic projects.
• Align with senior leaders on portfolio decisions, priorities, and resources.
• Lead across sites, aligning Indianapolis, New York City, and South San Francisco teams on shared priorities and ways of working.
• Develop project leaders and future scientific leaders and foster an inclusive, high-performing team culture.
• Support and communicate portfolio decisions, including program discontinuation or prioritization, using data-driven criteria and transparent rationale.

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: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree