AVP, Oncology Pharmacology

Lilly • Indianapolis, IN

1d • $219,000 - $321,200 • Onsite

About The Position

The Oncology Pharmacology senior leader leads a group of scientists researching medicines for multiple forms of cancer and oversees several portfolio programs through delivery of clinical candidates. As a member of the Oncology portfolio leadership team, the role helps set portfolio strategy, balancing delivery with innovation across modalities including small and large molecules. The leader synthesizes cross-functional information to guide program priorities and decisions, leads and mentors project leaders and scientists, and works with senior leaders and clinical colleagues on target product profile alignment and product differentiation. The position requires collaboration across Lilly functions and sites, including CMC, toxicology, translational, and clinical teams, and contributes to the Oncology organization's scientific quality, efficiency, and strategic direction.

The role oversees program execution from early discovery to IND, including preclinical experiment design, candidate advancement, preclinical documentation, and coordination with translational and clinical colleagues on biomarkers, patient selection, indications, and PK/PD-based dose projections. It also contributes to business development assessments and the integration of acquired technologies and teams. The successful candidate will work in Lilly's state-of-the-art laboratories at its Indianapolis headquarters facility. Estimated travel is 20%.

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.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated success developing Oncology medicines across modalities; large-molecule experience, including ADCs, is desired but not required.
• Experience with IND submissions and preclinical data package generation.
• Hands-on, direct 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 working collaboratively across scientific disciplines to meet business goals.
• Demonstrated business acumen.
• Demonstrated excellence in making strategic decisions in support of broader business goals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple teams of scientists leading individual portfolio programs and mentor next-generation project leaders.
• Synthesize target biology, clinical opportunity, product differentiation, competitive landscape, and other cross-functional information to guide 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 provide expertise, resources, and infrastructure for efficient program execution.
• 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, assess external opportunities, conduct formal diligence, and recommend modalities, targets, and platforms.
• 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 on biomarker, patient-selection, and indication strategies, and develop PK/PD-based dose projections.
• Lead, coach, develop, and manage project leaders and scientists.
• Provide guidance to 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 and influence across Indianapolis, New York City, and South San Francisco sites, aligning teams on shared priorities and ways of working.
• Develop project leaders and future scientific leaders and foster an inclusive, high-performing team culture.
• Communicate and support difficult portfolio decisions, including stopping or prioritizing programs, using data-driven criteria and transparent rationale.

Benefits

• Company bonus, depending in part on company and individual performance.
• Company-sponsored 401(k).
• Pension.
• Vacation benefits.
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.
• Flexible benefits, including healthcare and/or dependent day-care flexible spending accounts.
• Life insurance and death benefits.
• 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: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree