Senior Director - External Innovation, Neuroscience (Psychiatry) at Eli Lilly and Company

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 purpose:

The External Innovation (EI) function plays a critical role in building a portfolio of novel medicines at Lilly by seeking external assets and technology to complement internal programs. The Senior Director, External Innovation, Neuroscience (Psychiatry) will be an integral part of the team identifying, evaluating, and executing on business development opportunities for potential medicines that address patient unmet need and enhance Lilly’s neuroscience portfolio, with a focus on psychiatry. Deal structures may include research collaborations, investments, in-licensing of early or late-stage assets, and company acquisitions – and will span biological mechanisms and treatment modalities. Neuroscience has long been a priority focus for Lilly; this position will fundamentally contribute to ensuring Lilly continues to be a leader and partner of choice in the field.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Thoroughly map & closely monitor the external psychiatry landscape, proposing new opportunities for consideration
• Conduct detailed technical assessment of external assets, including coordination of cross-functional internal diligence teams
• Articulate deal theses and diligence findings to internal stakeholders, particularly via creation of effective presentations
• Participate in later stages of deal execution (e.g., negotiation, contracting), representing and ensuring fidelity to the original technical thesis
• Manage communication and cultivate strong relationships with external parties (e.g., companies, investors, academics)
• Attend and represent Lilly at medical meetings and partnering conferences
• Serve as a key contact for psychiatry S&E internally, collaborating and building credibility across therapeutic and functional areas within Lilly
• Potentially oversee direct reports
• Possibility for scope of work to expand into psychiatry-adjacent areas

Basic Qualifications:

• PhD, MS, or BS with a strong understanding of drug development and biopharma business / financing
• Minimum 4 years’ work experience with at least 2 years in biopharma venture capital, management consulting, investment banking, or business development

Additional preferences:

• Academic degree and/or work experience (clinical, research, or business) in neuroscience, psychiatry specifically
• Ability to think through complex questions, taking ownership over action plan & adjusting with agility to changing fact patterns
• Exceptional agency, organization, communication, relationship-building skills, and scientific & business judgment
• Being proactive and collaborative, able to work effectively across domains (e.g., scientific, strategic, financial) and in a team setting

Additional Information:

• 10-20% travel is anticipated (including international travel)
• Regular work hours, Monday-Friday
• Location: South San Francisco, CA / San Diego, CA / Indianapolis, IN / Boston, MA / remote
• Lilly currently anticipates that the base salary for this position could range from between $176,250 to $285,500 and will depend, in part, on the successful candidate’s qualifications for the role, including education and experience. 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).Of course, the compensation described above is subject to change and could be higher or lower than the range described above. Further, 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.

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 an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.

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