HSE External Partner Associate

Role Summary

HSE External Partner Associate: Role supporting the HSE External Partner Program in managing health, safety, and environmental risks across Lilly Research Labs' global external partner network. Provides operational support for partner assessments, data management, and program administration.

Responsibilities

• Supports the qualification and screening of external partners through risk management oversight, evaluating HSE capabilities to ensure alignment with regulatory requirements and Lilly HSE expectations.
• Leads the HSE screening process by initiating outreach to prospective partners, distributing tailored HSE questionnaires, and conducting virtual assessments to validate safety and compliance capabilities.
• Collaborates cross-functionally with internal LRL partners across discovery, small molecule, biologics, devices, clinical development, and packaging to identify and mitigate HSE risks prior to project initiation.
• Coordinates assessment scheduling across multiple time zones, managing calendar coordination between internal and external partners.
• Assists with conducting comprehensive HSE capability and risk assessments across environmental management, industrial hygiene, HSE management systems, general safety, emergency preparedness, and process safety management.
• Prepares detailed HSE risk assessment reports with findings, opportunities for improvement, and action items aligned to evaluation rubrics.
• Supports CAPA tracking by monitoring partner responses, timelines, completion of corrective actions, and maintaining closure documentation.
• Supports partner performance reviews by preparing performance summaries.
• Assists in ongoing HSE monitoring and assessments through routine re-assessments (virtual and onsite).
• Assists in providing strategic HSE guidance to Lilly partners as a subject matter expert and technical consultant in external partner risk management.
• Serves as technical resource for complex HSE challenges including exposure and containment strategy development for critical partnerships.
• Facilitates HSE information exchanges between LRL and external partners ensuring timely communication of requirements and expectations.
• Provides support as a HSE liaison during partner-related incidents including immediate response coordination, investigation, and corrective action oversight.
• Contributes to maintenance and evolution of assessment tools and processes, and communication strategies for the HSE external partner program.
• Leads development of digital tools and automation to streamline partner assessment processes, improve data quality, and enhance reporting capabilities.
• Assists with process standardization by documenting workflows, creating templates, and supporting change management activities.
• Maintains knowledge of emerging issues in HSE and Discovery/R&D to identify and manage risk and help shape policy and priorities.
• Engages in cross-functional project teams supporting broader LRL initiatives involving external partner engagement and supports benchmarking with industry groups.

Qualifications

• Master‚Äôs degree in industrial Hygiene, Environmental Health and Safety, Engineering or Sciences or related field.
• 5+ years' experience in HSE, preferably in R&D pharmaceutical or biotech environments.
• 3+ years of experience in third-party or contractor HSE management with assessment or auditing oversight.

Skills

• Deep technical knowledge in industrial hygiene and exposure control and at least one other HSE evaluation rubric (environmental management, HSE management systems, general safety, emergency preparedness, process safety management).
• Working knowledge of HSE evaluation rubrics and ability to develop expertise across areas.
• Strong cross-cultural communication and partner engagement skills.
• Ability to manage complex logistics across time zones and regulatory frameworks.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional certifications preferred (CIH, CSP, CHMM, or equivalent).
• Ability to assess HSE risks across multiple functional areas (discovery research, small molecule and biologic development, device development, clinical operations, packaging).
• Proficiency in interpreting technical documentation and synthesizing findings into actionable reports.
• Analytical and problem-solving capabilities; able to develop practical solutions.
• Project management skills to manage multiple assessments simultaneously with quality and deadlines.
• Technology proficiency with database systems and digital assessment tools.
• Learning agility and ability to prioritize workload and shift priorities as needed.

Education

• As listed in Basic Requirements.

Additional Requirements

• Domestic and international travel required, up to 50% travel.
• Ability to enter manufacturing and laboratory areas requiring PPE.