Senior Director – Technical Services & Manufacturing Sciences (TSMS) – Technical Agenda

Company: Eli Lilly and Company
Location: Indianapolis
Posted on: January 1, 2026

Job Description:

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world. Position Summary The Senior Director of TSMS – Technical Agenda is a strategic leadership role within the central TSMS organization, responsible for shaping and delivering the technical agenda across the Drug Substance and Dry Product portfolio. This role will drive a focused effort on delivering critical technical agenda projects and initiatives at a product basis through a team of Associate Directors responsible for laboratories and Pilot Plants across the platforms of biologics and synthetic products. The Senior Director will lead technical experts, drive innovation and technical excellence, and ensure alignment with Lilly’s commercialization strategy, manufacturing productivity agenda and evolving API/Dry Network needs. Key ResponsibilitiesStrategic Leadership & Technical Direction Drive generation of technical agenda for products/processes with PR&D minimally on a biannual basis (Strategic Plan and Business Plan) through purposeful workshops to ensure active hopper of projects and initiatives. From collaborative workshops, define the technical agenda for drug substance and dry products, including Spray Dry Dispersion/DP intermediates, and other innovation platforms. Using prioritization tools, present and gain alignment on the technical agenda priority project through the ADN -LT, utilizing the Commercialization Lead Team as the decision forum. Lead strategic planning for development and execution of tertiary loop/technical agenda projects and significant and impactful process optimization projects. Use internal lab and Pilot Plant resources to deliver initial proof of concept (PoC) studies to support direction of tech agenda. Maximize internal resourcing, and where necessary use external capability/capacity to achieve full development package (process definition and data) to point of readiness for technology transfer to commercial sites. Where necessary, de-risk tech transfer and PV of the optimized process, by orchestrating Pilot scale batches. Drive the completion of technology transfer package for implementation of the tech agenda at the manufacturing sites. Organizational Leadership Lead a global team of Associate Directors (responsible for scientists/specialists/ operators) and technical experts supporting execution of technical agenda across drug substance, dry product and drug product intermediates. Build and maintain strong technical relationships at a Senior Director level with BR&D, SMDD, and manufacturing sites. Work closely with Molecule Stewards, Product Leads in developing and delivering technical agenda across products. Serve as the initial point of escalation for technical issues across the lab/Pilot Plant programs. Drive performance management, talent development, and succession planning. Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Represent TSMS at governance bodies and technical network meetings. Change Management & Transformation Support organizational redesign efforts to align with Lilly’s centralization strategy. In consultation with TSMS AVP – Synthesis/TIDES, and AVP – Biologics, and in collaboration with Fellows team, support the setting up of appropriate teams responsible for Tech Agenda development and and execution. Lead integration of impacted teams into the central TSMS structure. Communicate effectively during transitions, ensuring clarity and support for affected employees. QualificationsEducation Minimum: BSc in a science, engineering, or technical field. Preferred: MSc or Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, or Microbiology. Experience 10 years in pharmaceutical manufacturing or technical services within a cGMP environment. Proven leadership in managing technical teams and delivering strategic initiatives. Experience in drug substance development, dry product formulation and regulatory support. Skills & Competencies Strong strategic thinking and decision-making capabilities. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. Deep technical expertise in drug substance manufacturing and commercialization. Ability to lead through change and build high-performing teams. Additional Information This role may require occasional travel to Lilly sites, external partners, or industry conferences. The position is part of the TSMS leadership team and contributes to long-term business planning and organizational capability development. Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form ( https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation ) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response. Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups. Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $151,500 - $222,200 Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees. WeAreLilly

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