Director- Purification- Process Translation and Execution
Eli Lilly and Company
September 02, 2026
On-site
Lebanon, IN
Operations
Position Summary
- Lead the Process Translation and Execution (PTE) team as a group leader, shaping a high-performing, collaborative culture and driving pipeline delivery contributions across modalities.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership and Development: Lead, mentor, and develop PTE scientists in downstream bioprocessing (chromatography, TFF/UFDF, viral inactivation, viral filtration) across biologics and mixed modalities (mAb, ADC, ARC, peptides, oligonucleotides).
- Foster a high-performance environment through coaching, one-on-ones, and performance feedback; promote psychological safety.
- Technology Transfer and GMP Production Support: Provide technical oversight for clinical DS purification and conjugation tech transfers to Foundry cGMP; lead/support facility fit assessments, risk analysis, and scale-up strategy.
- Serve as primary SME on the manufacturing floor: support deviation investigations, root cause analysis, and CAPA closure.
- Streamline tech transfer processes; accelerate timelines; advance digitization of technical documentation/workflows.
- Ensure processes are compliant/capable/qualified throughout lifecycle; support tech transfer for commercialization.
- Site Technology Strategy and Innovation: Define and lead purification and conjugation technology strategy; industrialize next-generation capabilities; guide/support CAPEX.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as liaison across Process Development/Engineering, Analytical, Quality, Supply Chain, HSE, and Operations; represent PTE in regulatory inspections/audits; build external partnerships.
Basic Qualifications
- PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Biological Engineering, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, or related.
- 12+ years in biologics DS development/manufacturing; 8+ years in purification processes.
- Deep expertise in downstream operations: chromatography (affinity, ion exchange, mixed-mode), TFF/UFDF, viral inactivation (low pH, detergent), viral filtration.
- Experience with column packing, resin lifetime management, and bench-to-clinical scaling.
- Experience leading, coaching, and developing direct reports.
Additional Skills/Preferences
- Hands-on bioconjugation experience (ADC/ARC or related); conjugation optimization and DAR control; post-conjugation purification/solvent handling.
- Single-use downstream processing (single-use chromatography skids/SUMs, single-use TFF); PCC/continuous chromatography familiarity.
- PAT knowledge (inline UV, conductivity, pressure monitoring).
- Leadership in innovation/continuous improvement; deviations, RCA, CAPA.
- Familiarity with emerging purification modalities (e.g., mRNA purification, LNP downstream, novel affinity ligands).
- Strong cGMP, quality systems, and regulatory knowledge for API/DS manufacturing and tech transfer.
- Strong communication and conflict-resolution; team-building.
Additional Information
- Location: Initial Indianapolis, IN; permanent: Lilly Medicines Foundry, Lebanon, IN.
- Travel: 5–10%.
- Ability to work in manufacturing and laboratory environments.
Compensation/Benefits (if included)
- Anticipated wage: $151,500 - $264,000; eligible for company bonus and comprehensive benefits (e.g., 401(k), medical/dental/vision, flexible benefits, life insurance, time off, well-being benefits).
Application Instructions
- If you need an accommodation to submit a resume, complete the workplace accommodation request form: https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation.
- Lead the Process Translation and Execution (PTE) team as a group leader, shaping a high-performing, collaborative culture and driving pipeline delivery contributions across modalities.
Key Responsibilities
- Team Leadership and Development: Lead, mentor, and develop PTE scientists in downstream bioprocessing (chromatography, TFF/UFDF, viral inactivation, viral filtration) across biologics and mixed modalities (mAb, ADC, ARC, peptides, oligonucleotides).
- Foster a high-performance environment through coaching, one-on-ones, and performance feedback; promote psychological safety.
- Technology Transfer and GMP Production Support: Provide technical oversight for clinical DS purification and conjugation tech transfers to Foundry cGMP; lead/support facility fit assessments, risk analysis, and scale-up strategy.
- Serve as primary SME on the manufacturing floor: support deviation investigations, root cause analysis, and CAPA closure.
- Streamline tech transfer processes; accelerate timelines; advance digitization of technical documentation/workflows.
- Ensure processes are compliant/capable/qualified throughout lifecycle; support tech transfer for commercialization.
- Site Technology Strategy and Innovation: Define and lead purification and conjugation technology strategy; industrialize next-generation capabilities; guide/support CAPEX.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Act as liaison across Process Development/Engineering, Analytical, Quality, Supply Chain, HSE, and Operations; represent PTE in regulatory inspections/audits; build external partnerships.
Basic Qualifications
- PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Biological Engineering, Chemical/Biochemical Engineering, or related.
- 12+ years in biologics DS development/manufacturing; 8+ years in purification processes.
- Deep expertise in downstream operations: chromatography (affinity, ion exchange, mixed-mode), TFF/UFDF, viral inactivation (low pH, detergent), viral filtration.
- Experience with column packing, resin lifetime management, and bench-to-clinical scaling.
- Experience leading, coaching, and developing direct reports.
Additional Skills/Preferences
- Hands-on bioconjugation experience (ADC/ARC or related); conjugation optimization and DAR control; post-conjugation purification/solvent handling.
- Single-use downstream processing (single-use chromatography skids/SUMs, single-use TFF); PCC/continuous chromatography familiarity.
- PAT knowledge (inline UV, conductivity, pressure monitoring).
- Leadership in innovation/continuous improvement; deviations, RCA, CAPA.
- Familiarity with emerging purification modalities (e.g., mRNA purification, LNP downstream, novel affinity ligands).
- Strong cGMP, quality systems, and regulatory knowledge for API/DS manufacturing and tech transfer.
- Strong communication and conflict-resolution; team-building.
Additional Information
- Location: Initial Indianapolis, IN; permanent: Lilly Medicines Foundry, Lebanon, IN.
- Travel: 5–10%.
- Ability to work in manufacturing and laboratory environments.
Compensation/Benefits (if included)
- Anticipated wage: $151,500 - $264,000; eligible for company bonus and comprehensive benefits (e.g., 401(k), medical/dental/vision, flexible benefits, life insurance, time off, well-being benefits).
Application Instructions
- If you need an accommodation to submit a resume, complete the workplace accommodation request form: https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation.