Associate Director - Digital & Data Lead

What You’ll Be Doing

You will be part of Technology at Lilly MQ (Manufacturing and Quality), an organization that drives manufacturing operational excellence and productivity efforts through utilization of technology. Technology at Lilly MQ strives to enable the making of medicine “with safety first and quality always”.

The Delivery for MQ Technology at Lilly will play a crucial role in overseeing and aligning multiple programs to ensure they meet their intended objectives, timelines, budgets and impacts. This role requires a deep understanding of each Digital solution, it’s program's goals and how they connect with others across the portfolio. Additionally, identifies interdependencies and ensures seamless integration between various initiatives.

By proactively managing potential risks, cross‑connections, and resource exchanges, they drive cohesive execution across the organization, balancing strategic priorities with practical deliverables to maximize value. This position is vital for ensuring all programs are aligned with the overall Strategy for New facilities and deliver desired outcomes efficiently and within budget. The Delivery Lead will also have an active participation in driving business and strategic financial plan conversations related to programs/projects for new facilities.

• Digital Plant Vision & Strategy:
  Champion and drive the digital plant strategy for new manufacturing sites, partnering with senior site leadership and global M&Q stakeholders to define and evolve long‑term digital roadmaps that are aligned with site strategic initiatives and LP1 start‑up objectives.
• Lead and manage the definition of digital needs and ensure the corresponding business processes and roles are in place. Maintain strategic oversight of multiple concurrent work streams, proactively resolving interdependencies and escalations.
• Senior Leadership Influence:
  Act as a key strategic advisor to site and IT leadership on digital technology direction, championing technology as a critical enabler of manufacturing strategic initiatives and long‑term site competitiveness.
• Strategic Business Planning:
  Provide substantive input to Business Plan and site strategic planning exercises at an executive level, setting direction and priorities for the digital agenda and securing investment aligned with LP1 start‑up and long‑term operational goals.
• Deep Business Process Mastery:
  Develop and maintain an expert‑level understanding of manufacturing, lab, and quality processes. Apply this knowledge to shape and govern digital solutions that maximize business value, partnering with Process Engineers, Operations, Quality, and TS/MS on complex cross‑functional issues.
• Strategic Business Needs Assessment:
  Lead the critical evaluation of complex stakeholder requests, leveraging deep technical and process expertise to identify true underlying business needs. Translate ambiguous requirements into actionable digital strategies that balance usability, performance, and compliance priorities.
• IT Solution Architecture & Integration Leadership:
  Provide executive‑level technical vision and governance for the design, development, and integration of enterprise IT solutions (MES, Data & Analytics, LIMS, and related platforms) supporting manufacturing and quality business processes across LP1.
• GxP Compliance & Quality Leadership:
  Ensure all digital programs and solutions adhere to GxP, 21 CFR Part 11, Annex 11, and GAMP 5 standards. Lead the validation and compliance strategy across IQ/OQ/PQ activities, maintaining the highest levels of regulatory integrity across the LP1 digital portfolio.
• Stakeholder Management & Executive Communication:
  Build and sustain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels — from site operators to senior leadership — providing clear, data‑driven communication on program status, risks, and strategic decisions. Influence executive decision‑making on digital investments and priorities.
• Risk, Trade‑off & Resource Management:
  Proactively identify and manage strategic risks across the digital portfolio; develop executive‑level mitigation plans. Drive prioritization decisions and resource allocation…