Associate Vice President Pain Early Development
Eli Lilly and Company
September 02, 2026
Remote friendly (Indianapolis, IN)
United States
Clinical Research and Development
Key Responsibilities
- Define and lead integrated clinical development strategy for Neuroscience Pain early-phase portfolio (discovery through Phase 2).
- Establish governance, go/no-go decisions, and stage-gate reviews for early portfolio programs.
- Provide visibility into portfolio health, pipeline gaps, and development opportunities.
- Partner with Lilly Research Laboratories and Medicines Development Unit to align strategy with business objectives.
- Drive clinical implementation with innovative/accelerated development approaches; integrate tissue biomarkers and diagnostics.
- Lead external innovation focus (priority biology, novel modalities, diagnostics, academic collaborations), and prioritize based on opportunity, fit, risk, timing, unmet need.
- Lead regulatory and scientific engagement: interactions with global regulators, represent Lilly with experts/forums, oversee data disclosure strategy and safety/AE reporting compliance.
- Oversee early portfolio program integration, risk/scenario planning, and Neuronal Health emerging therapeutic area strategy.
- Build and lead cross-functional team; coach leaders; foster alignment across R&D, Medical Affairs, Commercial, Corporate Affairs, and External Innovation.
Minimum Qualifications
- Medical Doctor: board eligible/certified in a relevant specialty (or equivalent post-medical school clinical training per country of hire).
- Non-U.S. physicians: LCME-compliant medical school training.
- 12+ years progressive experience in analgesic clinical development or pharmaceutical medicine.
Additional Preferences
- Deep pain expertise (incl. chronic pain); leadership in early-phase strategy/portfolio delivery; influence in matrixed orgs.
- Strong communication (written/verbal), organizational/negotiation skills; senior cross-functional leadership.
- Travel; early-development drug development knowledge (multiple modalities preferred).
- External innovation/academic collaboration/business development background; familiarity with RNA silencing, gene therapy, novel delivery.
- Comfort with ambiguity; experience driving alignment and using data/analytics/tech for clinical prioritization.
Benefits (as stated)
- Company bonus; eligibility for 401(k) and pension; vacation; medical/dental/vision/prescription coverage; flexible benefits; life/death benefits; time off/leave; well-being benefits (e.g., EAP, fitness, employee clubs).
- Define and lead integrated clinical development strategy for Neuroscience Pain early-phase portfolio (discovery through Phase 2).
- Establish governance, go/no-go decisions, and stage-gate reviews for early portfolio programs.
- Provide visibility into portfolio health, pipeline gaps, and development opportunities.
- Partner with Lilly Research Laboratories and Medicines Development Unit to align strategy with business objectives.
- Drive clinical implementation with innovative/accelerated development approaches; integrate tissue biomarkers and diagnostics.
- Lead external innovation focus (priority biology, novel modalities, diagnostics, academic collaborations), and prioritize based on opportunity, fit, risk, timing, unmet need.
- Lead regulatory and scientific engagement: interactions with global regulators, represent Lilly with experts/forums, oversee data disclosure strategy and safety/AE reporting compliance.
- Oversee early portfolio program integration, risk/scenario planning, and Neuronal Health emerging therapeutic area strategy.
- Build and lead cross-functional team; coach leaders; foster alignment across R&D, Medical Affairs, Commercial, Corporate Affairs, and External Innovation.
Minimum Qualifications
- Medical Doctor: board eligible/certified in a relevant specialty (or equivalent post-medical school clinical training per country of hire).
- Non-U.S. physicians: LCME-compliant medical school training.
- 12+ years progressive experience in analgesic clinical development or pharmaceutical medicine.
Additional Preferences
- Deep pain expertise (incl. chronic pain); leadership in early-phase strategy/portfolio delivery; influence in matrixed orgs.
- Strong communication (written/verbal), organizational/negotiation skills; senior cross-functional leadership.
- Travel; early-development drug development knowledge (multiple modalities preferred).
- External innovation/academic collaboration/business development background; familiarity with RNA silencing, gene therapy, novel delivery.
- Comfort with ambiguity; experience driving alignment and using data/analytics/tech for clinical prioritization.
Benefits (as stated)
- Company bonus; eligibility for 401(k) and pension; vacation; medical/dental/vision/prescription coverage; flexible benefits; life/death benefits; time off/leave; well-being benefits (e.g., EAP, fitness, employee clubs).