Eli Lilly

Associate Director, ExploR&D Consultation Agreements

Eli Lilly$132K — $193K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in any field
  • 7+ years of relevant experience in business development, contracting, or R&D consulting
  • Advanced degree in life sciences, biomedical, or related STEM field preferred
  • Deep R&D fluency in drug discovery and/or development
  • Experience negotiating agreements with external partners in biotech or pharma
  • Outstanding written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong ability to operate in ambiguous environments

Responsibilities

  • Lead negotiation of consultation agreements from initial discussions to execution
  • Manage a high volume of agreements efficiently, ensuring timely signatures
  • Interface with biotech partners to translate scientific scope into commercial terms
  • Collaborate with leadership to align consultations with R&D capabilities
  • Draft and finalize agreements in partnership with Legal, focusing on risk and scope
  • Translate technical scope into work plans detailing deliverables and responsibilities
  • Negotiate changes to existing agreements as project scopes evolve
  • Facilitate communication with biotech counterparts regarding contract details and timelines
  • Track agreements and manage the consultation pipeline effectively
  • Drive process improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce time-to-signature

Benefits

  • Participation in a company-sponsored 401(k) and pension
  • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care
  • Life insurance and death benefits
  • Well-being benefits, including employee assistance program and fitness benefits
  • Opportunities for company bonuses based on performance
Full Job Description
Job Summary

The Associate Director, ExploR&D Consultation Agreements is responsible for leading the negotiation and execution of consultation agreements between Lilly ExploR&D and external biotech partners across preclinical and development matters. This is a hands-on, high-throughput contracting role focused on drafting, redlining, and moving a large volume of consultation agreements through negotiation to signature quickly and cleanly.

Key Responsibilities
  • Lead end-to-end negotiation of consultation agreements with biotech partners across preclinical and development matters, from initial term discussions through executed contract
  • Move a high volume of agreements through negotiation to signature efficiently, balancing speed with rigor
  • Serve as the primary interface for biotechs engaging ExploR&D through the consultation pathway, translating scientific scope into commercial terms
  • Partner with ExploR&D leadership and subject-matter experts to structure consultations that align with Lilly's R&D capabilities
  • Draft, redline, and finalize consultation agreements in collaboration with Legal, ensuring commercial terms, scope, and deliverables are clearly captured, and that contractual provisions reflect the risk of the scientific engagement
  • Partner with Lilly scientists to translate technical scope into precise, bounded work plans, defining deliverables and responsibilities clearly
  • Negotiate change orders and amendments to existing consultation agreements as scope, timelines, or deliverables evolve
  • Communicate with biotech counterparts regarding contract structure, timelines, and Lilly's engagement model with clarity and credibility
  • Maintain rigorous deal tracking, pipeline visibility, and cycle-time discipline across the active consultation portfolio
  • Identify and drive process improvements to reduce friction, standardize terms where appropriate, and shorten time-to-signature
  • Partner with Finance, Legal, and Compliance to ensure all consultations meet Lilly's governance, risk, and approval standards
  • Potential to extend scope into alliance management responsibilities over time


Minimum Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in any field
  • 7+ years of relevant experience in business development, contracting, or R&D consulting
  • Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1


Additional Skills/Preferences
  • Advanced degree in a life sciences, biomedical, or related STEM field (PhD, PharmD, MS)
  • Deep R&D fluency across drug discovery and/or development, with the credibility to engage biotech scientific leaders as a peer
  • Demonstrated experience negotiating agreements with external partners in biotech, pharma, or life sciences
  • Direct experience drafting, redlining, and executing contracts, with strong command of terms and contract structure
  • Track record of managing multiple concurrent contracts with high attention to detail and disciplined follow-through
  • Experience with early-stage biotech ecosystem or external innovation
  • Alliance management experience with biotech companies
  • Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to distill complex scientific and contractual terms for varied audiences
  • High comfort operating with ambiguity and building repeatable processes from the ground up
  • Strong cross-functional collaboration skills across Legal, Finance, and R&D


Additional Information
  • Travel up to 10% US and/or OUS

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate's education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is
$132,000 - $193,600

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

About Eli Lilly

ICOS Corporation is a biotechnology company that engages in the discovery, development, and commercialization of therapeutic products. It is engaged in the commercialization of treatments for unmet medical conditions, such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, hypertension, pulmonary arterial hypertension, cancer, and inflammatory diseases. It is the developer of a treatment known as Cialis (tadalafil), a product for the treatment of erectile dysfunction through its joint venture with Eli Lilly and Company in North America and Europe. It is also engaged in contract manufacturing services for third parties. It is in a strategic alliance with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ICOS Corporation was established in 1989, based in Bothell, Washington. It is currently operated by Eli Lilly and Company.

Eli Lilly Careers

Joining Eli Lilly offers an unparalleled opportunity to become part of a leading global team dedicated to creating a healthier future. As a company revered for its commitment to innovation and leadership in the pharmaceutical industry, Eli Lilly is where your professional journey can flourish. Work You’ll Do At Eli Lilly, we are passionate about transforming patient care and advancing medical innovation. Our team at Eli Lilly is at the forefront of developing groundbreaking solutions in healthcare. By joining us, you will collaborate with some of the brightest minds in the industry, using cutting-edge technology to make real-world impacts. Lead with Innovation and Leadership Eli Lilly stands out in the marketplace by integrating deep industry expertise with robust research and development efforts. We are looking for professionals who are eager to drive change and lead the way in developing therapeutic breakthroughs. Explore Job Opportunities and Growth Eli Lilly offers a variety of career paths, including full-time positions and internships, across multiple functions such as research, marketing, IT, and sales. Whether you are a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, Eli Lilly provides an environment that promotes career growth and learning opportunities. Our commitment to diversity and leadership training ensures that every employee can achieve their potential. Be Part of Our Team Our team at Eli Lilly is committed to excellence and driven by a mission to improve lives. Employees enjoy a supportive culture that values collaboration, creativity, and diversity. We believe that a diverse workforce fosters innovation and helps us better connect with the communities we serve. Benefits and Culture Eli Lilly is dedicated to supporting our employees, offering competitive benefits, wellness programs, and comprehensive health care. Our culture is built on a foundation of respect, integrity, and quality, making Eli Lilly not just a great place to work, but a community to grow with. Networking and Professional Development Eli Lilly encourages continuous professional development and networking. With access to various training programs and mentorship opportunities, employees can enhance their skills and advance their careers. Our leadership is committed to nurturing talent through effective training and development strategies. Join Our Team Discover the exciting job opportunities at Eli Lilly by exploring open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring and looking for individuals who are passionate, innovative, and ready to contribute to our mission of making life better for people around the globe. Stay Connected Keep up to date with the latest at Eli Lilly by following our careers blog. Gain insights from industry leaders and get tips on everything from crafting the perfect resume to preparing for your interview. Eli Lilly is not just a company—it's a place where you can make a difference. Explore the positions available and find out how your talents can help change the world. SEARCH ELI LILLY JOBS Stay ahead in your career with Eli Lilly, where innovation, leadership, and a commitment to diversity and growth lead the way to future advancements.
Learn more about Eli Lilly
Size
35,000 employees
Market Cap
$344.2 billion
Industry
Net Income
$6.1 billion
Founded
1876
5 Year Trend
+5.9%
Revenue
$24.5 billion
NASDAQ

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