Sr. Director, ADC Drug-Linker Synthetic Process Development

Sr. Director, ADC Drug-Linker Synthetic Process Development

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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, working 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 serve an extraordinary purpose. We make a difference for people around the globe by discovering, developing and delivering medicines that help them live longer, healthier, more active lives. In addition to breakthrough medications, we develop creative solutions to support communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.

The current opportunity is within the Bioproduct Research and Development (BR&D) organization, a multidisciplinary organization focused on the development and commercialization of biologic therapeutics such as monoclonal antibodies and bioconjugates. Due to a strategic commitment to the growth of novel modalities such as Antibody‑Drug Conjugates (ADCs) and an exciting pipeline of investigational medicines, we are seeking outstanding candidates to work at the small‑molecule – biologics interface, focusing on small‑molecule drug‑linker synthetic chemistry.

The successful candidate will interface closely with the biologics development in  &D and with the Synthetic Molecule Design and Development organization (SMDD) at Lilly.

To meet Lilly’s expanding and diverse portfolio of ADCs, we are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Senior Director to lead our payload linker development efforts within the ADC team. This role will focus on the design, optimization, and scaling of payload linker chemistry critical to the manufacturing of next‑generation ADC therapeutics. The successful candidate will also exhibit a strong commitment to employee development and thrive in a collaborative, fast‑paced work environment.

• Lead and oversee CMC process development activities for novel payloads and drug‑linkers within ADC programs, ensuring alignment with overall program goals.
• Collaborate closely with Discovery teams to ensure manufacturability and facilitate smooth transition from early research to CMC development.
• Develop scalable, robust, and reproducible processes for payload linker synthesis, enabling seamless technology transfer from development labs to GMP manufacturing.
• Build and strengthen internal capabilities by developing team expertise, infrastructure, and technologies related to payload linker process development.
• Stay current of emerging technologies and scientific advancements in ADC linker and payload chemistry to maintain competitive edge.
• Champion a strong safety culture in all laboratory activities, ensuring proper handling, containment, and risk assessment practices for highly potent compounds.
• Provide technical guidance and career development support to team members, including goal setting, performance evaluations, and skills enhancement.
• Manage external collaborations with vendors and CDMOs specializing in linker and payload synthesis and process development.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and support filing activities for INDs, BLAs, and other regulatory submissions.

• Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry or relevant scientific discipline with > 8 years of experience; B.S. or M.S. with 15+ years of demonstrated equivalent experience in a related field.
• Proven leadership experience managing small‑molecule CMC development programs and leading scientific teams through all stages of development from discovery handoff to GMP manufacturing and regulatory submission.
• Extensive expertise and scientific knowledge in linker design, payload chemistry, and related bioconjugation strategies.
• Proven ability to drive innovation in ADC or small‑molecule process development, with a focus on implementing novel technologies, improving efficiency, and solving complex scientific challenges.
• Experience in preparing and…