Eli Lilly

Senior Director, Generative & Answer Engine Optimization (GEO/AEO)

Eli Lilly$166K — $244K *
Pharmaceuticals & Biotech
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required
  • 7-10+ years of experience in search or digital marketing
  • Hands-on background in building AI/LLM visibility or GEO/AEO programs
  • Ability to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
  • Preferred experience in a regulated industry like pharma or healthcare

Responsibilities

  • Define and lead the enterprise GEO/AI visibility strategy
  • Build and evolve dashboards for AI surface performance measurement
  • Align cross-functional teams on unified strategies for AI visibility
  • Manage vendor relationships and tool evaluations
  • Build and lead a team of GEO practitioners

Benefits

  • Eligibility for 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
Full Job Description
Build the function that determines how the enterprise is represented across AI-driven search.

Generative AI platforms - ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Google AI Overviews - are becoming a primary channel through which patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals find information. Most companies, including most competitors in this space, do not yet have a defined strategy for how their brands are surfaced, cited, or recommended inside these tools. This role builds that capability from the ground up.

This is a newly created role inheriting an existing team of GEO practitioners. The mandate is to define the strategy, evolve the operating model, and scale the team and tools for one of the largest and most complex organizations in the industry. This role sets the standard for an emerging discipline, building on an established team rather than starting from zero.

This role owns:
  • Enterprise strategy and execution for AI/LLM visibility across commercial, medical, and communications functions, in the US and international markets
  • The measurement layer - evaluating and selecting the tools and platforms that track AI-surface performance, and building the dashboards that report performance to the business
  • Hiring, budget, and vendor decisions for the function
  • Cross-functional alignment across Search Capabilities, Medical Affairs Strategy, Evidence Intelligence, and Site teams - driving one unified enterprise approach rather than fragmented efforts

The team is built, not inherited. This role carries explicit mandate and budget to hire and develop a group of GEO practitioners as the function scales.

Core Responsibilities

Strategy & Enterprise Leadership

Define and lead the enterprise GEO/AI-visibility strategy. Set the operating model and governance for how this work is prioritized and resourced. Translate a broader search vision into a concrete roadmap. Track a fast-moving landscape and resolve implications for the business, in partnership with brand, medical, and communications leadership.

AI Visibility Insights & Measurement

Build and evolve the dashboards and reporting that give teams a real-time view of AI-surface performance. Set technical content standards that improve how content is surfaced and cited. Audit gated content to confirm high-value material is accessible to AI engines. Run pilots and scaled rollouts across international markets.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Vendor Management

Align with peer leads across Commercial, Medical, and International teams on a unified strategy. Partner with Technology and Site teams on structured data, schema markup, and site architecture that support AI crawlability. Own vendor relationships and tool evaluation in the AI-visibility space - platforms such as Semrush, Bluefish AI, Profound, or Athena. Represent this work in cross-functional AI strategy forums.

Team Leadership

Build a team of GEO practitioners. Set goals, provide direction, and establish clear development paths as the field matures.

Basic Requirements
  • Bachelors degree
  • 7-10+ years leading search or digital marketing.
  • Hands-on experience building AI/LLM visibility, GEO, or AEO programs. Extensive tenure specifically in GEO is not expected, given the discipline's recency; direct execution experience is required
  • 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 Preferences
  • Experience leading and developing people, including running specialists through ambiguity in a fast-changing space
  • Strong analytical skills - experience building and interpreting visibility dashboards and performance data to drive decisions
  • Ability to communicate a new, technical topic clearly to senior leaders and align cross-functional teams without formal authority over them
  • Experience in pharma, healthcare, or another regulated industry. Deep pharmaceutical experience is not required at the outset; onboarding includes direct partnership with Medical, Legal, and Regulatory teams, and the ability to learn a regulated environment quickly is expected.
  • Direct experience with AI-visibility platforms (Semrush, Bluefish AI, Profound, Athena, Otterly) or major AI surfaces (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Google AI Overviews, Open Evidence)
  • Experience implementing structured data, schema markup, or technical SEO at scale
  • Experience scaling a marketing capability across global or international markets
  • A clearly articulated point of view on Agentic Search and how brands should prepare for it
  • Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in ambiguity, as the discipline will continue to evolve

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate's education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is
$166,500 - $244,200

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

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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