Associate Director - ExploR&D External Partnering - Molecule Discovery and Technology Licensing

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.

Lilly Catalyze
360 is Lilly's comprehensive approach to enabling the early-stage biotech ecosystem by democratizing access to infrastructure, expertise, and resources. Through its interconnected pillars—Lilly Ventures, Lilly Gateway Labs, Lilly Explo

R&D, and Lilly Tune Labs—Catalyze
360 strategically removes barriers that traditionally block bold science from becoming life-changing medicines, providing biotechs with flexible combinations of capital, physical lab space, R&D capabilities, AI/ML tools, and decades of enterprise learning.

Lilly Explo

R&D is a team of drug discovery and development experts who partner with biotechs from discovery through clinical proof-of-concept, putting Lilly's industry-leading capabilities behind their missions. We provide flexible support—from strategic consulting to full program execution—making it faster, easier, and more capital-efficient for innovators to transform bold science into life-changing medicines.

Lilly Explo

R&D is seeking a dynamic and experienced Associate Director in the External Partnering team to support Molecule Discovery and Technology Licensing. This strategic role will be responsible for driving portfolio growth for molecule generation programs, expanding our client base, and building strong relationships with biotech companies across the United States. The ideal candidate will combine deep knowledge of drug discovery and development with proven sales expertise to position Explo

R&D as the premier partner for emerging biotechnology companies.

• Drive Explo
  
  R&D portfolio growth by identifying, cultivating, and closing new business opportunities for molecule discovery and technology licensing with biotech companies across therapeutic areas and diverse modalities
• Develop and execute strategic plans to achieve and exceed annual targets
• Build and maintain a robust pipeline of qualified prospects through networking, industry events, and strategic outreach
• Lead client presentations and proposal development, clearly articulating Explo
  
  R&D's value proposition and capabilities
• Collaborate with scientific and operational teams to design customized drug discovery solutions that meet client needs
• Monitor industry trends, competitive landscape, and emerging technologies to identify new market opportunities
• Represent Explo
  
  R&D at industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events
• Provide regular forecasts, pipeline reports, and market intelligence to leadership

• Bachelor's degree required in a relevant scientific field (Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, or related discipline).

• 7+ years of progressive experience in client services, sales, and/or business development within pharmaceutical services or contract research organizations (CROs).
• 3+ years of direct experience in drug discovery and development, from target identification through clinical entry.
• Deep technical knowledge of medicinal chemistry, bioproduct engineering and discovery, and/or genetic medicine research.

• Advanced degree (MS, PhD, Pharm
  
  D, or MBA) highly preferred.
• Proven track record of meeting or exceeding portfolio growth/transaction targets.
• Strong scientific acumen with ability to understand and communicate complex technical concepts.
• Excellent relationship-building skills with ability to establish trust and credibility with C-level executives and scientific leaders.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including presentation and proposal development.
• Strategic thinking with ability to identify opportunities…