Associate Director, ExploR&D Consultation Agreements

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in California, +1 more state.

📋 Description

• Lead the comprehensive negotiation of consultation agreements with biotech partners related to preclinical and development issues.

• Efficiently manage a high volume of agreements through negotiation to final signature.

• Act as the primary liaison for biotechs utilizing ExploR&D through the consultation pathway.

• Convert scientific scope into commercial terms.

• Collaborate with ExploR&D leadership and subject-matter experts to design consultations that align with Lilly's R&D capabilities.

• Draft, edit, and finalize consultation agreements in collaboration with Legal.

• Transform technical scope into clear, defined work plans outlining deliverables and responsibilities.

• Negotiate change orders and amendments as project scope, timelines, or deliverables evolve.

• Engage with biotech counterparts regarding contract structure, timelines, and Lilly's engagement model.

• Maintain oversight of deal tracking, pipeline visibility, and cycle-time discipline across the consultation portfolio.

• Identify and implement process improvements to minimize friction, standardize terms, and reduce time-to-signature.

• Collaborate with Finance, Legal, and Compliance to ensure consultations adhere to governance, risk, and approval standards.

• Potentially expand responsibilities to include alliance management over time.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in any discipline.

• Over 7 years of relevant experience in business development, contracting, or R&D consulting.

• Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

• Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas.

• Profound R&D fluency in drug discovery and/or development.

• Proven experience negotiating agreements with external partners in biotech, pharma, or life sciences.

• Direct experience in drafting, redlining, and executing contracts.

• Strong understanding of contract terms and structure.

• Experience managing multiple concurrent contracts with meticulous attention to detail and disciplined follow-through.

• Familiarity with the early-stage biotech ecosystem or external innovation.

• Experience in alliance management with biotech companies.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to simplify complex scientific and contractual terms for diverse audiences.

• Comfort in navigating ambiguity and building repeatable processes from scratch.

• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across Legal, Finance, and R&D.

🏝️ Benefits

• Company bonus based on individual and company performance.

• Company-sponsored 401(k).

• Pension plan.

• Vacation benefits.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.

• Flexible benefits, including healthcare and/or dependent daycare flexible spending accounts.

• Life insurance and death benefits.

• Time off and leave of absence benefits.

• Well-being benefits, including an employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and various employee clubs and activities.

• Up to 10% travel.