Sr Director - Operations

Eli Lilly and Company • Huntsville, AL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. Lilly is a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, with employees working to discover and bring life-changing medicines, improve disease understanding, and contribute to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. The company is currently constructing an advanced manufacturing facility for API molecules, including new modalities. This role offers a unique opportunity to join the leadership team for the startup of this greenfield manufacturing site, helping to build the organization, facility, and culture for successful GMP manufacturing operations. The Senior Director, Operations is responsible for leading manufacturing operations (small molecule or siRNA/oligonucleotide), ensuring the organization has the capacity, capability, and leadership to deliver the site’s manufacturing plan. This role also integrates cross-functional support teams and fosters a strong safety culture. As a member of the Lilly Site Lead Team, the Senior Director contributes to strategic direction, organizational development, and cross-functional issue resolution. During the project delivery and startup phase (2029–2030), the role will focus on supporting facility delivery and operational readiness, building the manufacturing organization and leadership structure, developing and implementing GMP systems and processes, and shaping site culture to align with long-term business goals.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline
• 10+ years of experience leading operations within the pharmaceutical industry

Nice To Haves

• Experience in API manufacturing and Process Safety Management preferred.
• Strong knowledge of cGMPs and their application in manufacturing operations.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships across all organizational levels, including close collaboration with the Site Leadership Team.
• Demonstrated success in leading projects from initiation to completion—on time, within budget, and to high performance standards.
• Skilled in developing and managing high-performing, engaged teams with a strong safety and team-oriented culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead collaboratively and energetically across all aspects of operational readiness and startup.
• Build an organization with the capability, capacity, and culture to achieve high standards in safety, quality, and operational excellence.
• Develop and implement site systems and processes, drawing on internal expertise and external best practices.
• Embed lean principles and a continuous improvement mindset across operations and support functions.
• Act as the end-user representative during project delivery—providing input on design, commissioning, and startup decisions to ensure alignment with project goals and long-term strategy.
• Develop and execute strategic and operational plans for Production Operations.
• Contribute to the site’s medium- and long-term strategic direction.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements (e.g., safety, quality/cGMP, environmental, financial, legal, HR).
• Ensure Production Flow and Process Teams meet Lilly’s Manufacturing Standards for Operational Excellence.
• Maintain robust control systems to manage operations, identify compliance risks, and escalate issues appropriately.
• Monitor site and business area performance and take corrective action as needed.
• Lead cross-functional teams to implement new product introductions and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop future management and technical leaders for site and global roles.

Benefits

• company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance)
• company-sponsored 401(k)
• pension
• vacation benefits
• medical benefits
• dental benefits
• vision benefits
• prescription drug benefits
• flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts)
• life insurance
• death benefits
• certain time off and leave of absence benefits
• well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees