Senior Director – Drug Delivery Science & Delivery Physiology

Role Summary

The Senior Director, Drug Delivery Science & Delivery Physiology leads strategic research at the intersection of delivery physiology and advanced drug-delivery technologies. They manage a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers to generate mechanistic knowledge that informs platform strategies across Lilly’s pipeline. As a horizontal capability leader within the DDCS matrix, they embed scientific rigor across therapeutic areas, focusing on physiological routes of administration and bio-nano interface science to ground delivery strategies in predictive science.

Responsibilities

• Lead & Develop a World-Class Delivery Science Team: Recruit, develop, and retain a diverse team of scientists and engineers with expertise spanning injection physiology, nanomedicine, transdermal science, and biofunctional materials. Establish a culture of scientific rigor, psychological safety, and continuous learning.
• Coach & Mentor Scientific Talent: Design individual development plans, provide real-time coaching, and sponsor high-potential team members for career advancement and cross-functional visibility within the DDCS matrix.
• Manage Team Performance Against Strategic Goals: Translate DDCS strategic pillars into team-level objectives and key results; hold accountability for scientific deliverables, milestone attainment, and resource utilization across the team’s portfolio.
• Foster Cross-Matrix Integration: Serve as a senior representative for DDCS in cross-functional program teams and governance forums; ensure delivery physiology and nanomedicine insights are integrated early in product development cycles across all innovation verticals.
• Define & Advance the Delivery Physiology Research Agenda: Build the foundational physiology knowledge base; lead transdermal delivery science; advance translational ADME & PK science; drive injection physiology & device-physiology interplay.
• Lead Nanomedicine, Biocorona, & Molecular Device Science: Establish nanoparticle delivery expertise; own biocorona & bio-nano interface science; advance molecular device platforms; characterize material biofunctionality.
• Build & Scale Delivery Technology Capabilities: Develop the delivery technology toolbox; enable clinical translation of novel platforms; identify & integrate enabling technologies.
• Influence Strategy & Drive Cross-Functional Integration: Shape the DDCS delivery technology strategy; embed delivery science in therapeutic area programs; communicate with executive-level impact; represent Lilly externally.

Qualifications

• Required: Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Biophysics, or closely related discipline.
• Required: 10+ years of progressive experience in drug research, delivery physiology, and/or nanomedicine, with experience in a people leadership role managing multidisciplinary scientists.
• Required: Track record of translating basic delivery science into product-relevant insights that advanced drug development programs through IND-enabling studies and/or clinical proof-of-concept.
• Required: Experience designing and overseeing preclinical in vivo studies (rodent, large animal) and integrating findings with clinical datasets.
• Required: Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in a matrix organization, leading across functional boundaries without formal reporting authority.
• Preferred: Post-doctoral training is strongly preferred.
• Preferred: Demonstrated scientific expertise in at least three of the following: injection physiology and subcutaneous delivery; transdermal and topical delivery; nanoparticle drug delivery systems; biocorona characterization and bio-nano interface; nucleic acid delivery; ADME/PK sciences; molecular devices or supramolecular delivery constructs.
• Preferred: Scientific publication record in delivery physiology, nanomedicine, biocorona science, or related fields; evidence of thought leadership (invited talks, patents, advisory roles).
• Preferred: Experience with regulatory submissions (IND, NDA/BLA, ANDA) involving combination products or novel delivery systems; familiarity with FDA Office of Combination Products guidance.
• Preferred: Demonstrated expertise in lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation and in vivo characterization, particularly for nucleic acid therapeutic payloads.
• Preferred: Experience leading technology licensing, external academic collaborations, and strategic vendor partnerships in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology setting.
• Preferred: Cross-matrix influence and collaboration, including executive-level communication and persuasion across teams and stakeholders, visible scientific rigor and data integrity, and strategic systems thinking.

Additional Requirements

• Travel: Approximately 15–25% domestic and international