AVP, Oncology Pharmacology
Eli Lilly and Company
Summary
As the Oncology Pharmacology senior leader, you will lead a dynamic group of scientists conducting research to identify medicines that effectively treat various forms of cancer. You will oversee several portfolio projects simultaneously and be responsible for the ultimate delivery of clinical candidates. As part of the portfolio leadership team, you will guide the strategic focus of our Oncology portfolio to balance delivery of medicines with the innovation necessary for next-generation, differentiated products across various modalities, including small and large molecules.
Job description
Position Summary
As the Oncology Pharmacology senior leader, you will lead a dynamic group of scientists conducting research to identify medicines that effectively treat various forms of cancer. You will oversee several portfolio projects simultaneously and be responsible for the ultimate delivery of clinical candidates. As part of the portfolio leadership team, you will guide the strategic focus of our Oncology portfolio to balance delivery of medicines with the innovation necessary for next-generation, differentiated products across various modalities, including small and large molecules.
As the pharmacology leader, you will integrate cross-functional information to set program priorities, portfolio decisions, and innovation. You will lead a team of project leaders, senior scientists, and junior scientists to ensure efficient program execution and decision making and mentor the next generation of scientific and project leaders.
Scientific Roles and Responsibilities
- Oversee several teams of scientists who lead individual portfolio programs and actively mentor our next-generation project leaders.
- Synthesize complex, cross-functional information, including target biology, clinical opportunity, product differentiation, and competitive landscape to support our Oncology strategy and portfolio priorities.
- Serve as a key member of the Oncology portfolio leadership team, working with peer leaders in New York and South San Francisco to execute our pipeline strategy and advance molecules from early Discovery to IND.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams across Lilly to drive the execution of Oncology programs.
- Integrate newly acquired technologies and scientific teams into our portfolio projects to deliver differentiated, innovative medicines.
- Oversee the design and execution of key mechanistic and preclinical experiments involving diverse oncogenic mechanisms across multiple tumor indications.
- Contribute to business development strategy and recommend novel modalities, targets, and platforms that add value to our existing Oncology portfolio.
- Contribute to the assessment of external opportunities, formal diligence, and recommendations to leadership.
- Assemble documents and present at leadership meetings including Discovery portfolio reviews, Clinical review meetings, and Candidate advancement reviews.
- Deliver IND sections related to preclinical development as well as supporting preclinical reports.
- Partner with Translational and Clinical colleagues to define biomarker, patient selection and indication strategy, and to develop PK/PD-based dose projections.
Leadership Roles and Responsibilities
- Lead, coach, develop, and manage teams of project leaders and scientists.
- Liaise with internal teams and provide guidance on key strategic business decisions.
- Build and execute on roadmaps that deliver on specific targets and overall strategic projects.
- Align with senior leaders around portfolio decisions, priorities, and resources.
- Lead and influence across sites, aligning INDY, NYC and SSF teams on shared priorities and ways of working.
- Develop project leaders and future scientific leaders, and foster an inclusive, high-performing team culture.
- Support and communicate difficult portfolio decisions, including stopping/prioritizing programs, using data-driven criteria and a transparent rationale.
Requirements
- PhD in pharmacology, cancer cell biology, or allied disciplines
- Minimum of 15 years' experience
- At least 10 years of direct drug development experience
- Demonstrated success in developing Oncology medicines across modalities
- Experience in IND submission and preclinical data package generation
- Hands-on, direct drug-hunting experience with a track record of progressing multiple programs to Phase 1
- Ability to collaborate with translational functions (PK/PD, toxicology, antibody discovery)
- Deep understanding of drug discovery and development through Phase 1 (or beyond)
- Proven success leading, managing, and coaching large cross-functional teams in dynamic organizations
- Demonstrated ability and track record in overseeing work performed by third parties/vendors/strategic partners
- Demonstrated experience working collaboratively across scientific disciplines to meet business goals
- Demonstrated business acumen
- Demonstrated excellence in making key strategic decisions in support of broader business goals
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Benefits
- 401(k) Matching
- Pension
- Vacation Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Prescription Drug Benefits
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life Insurance
- Death Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Fitness Benefits
- Employee Clubs and Activities
- Company Bonus
Company overview
Eli Lilly and Company, commonly known as Lilly, is a leading American multinational pharmaceutical corporation headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1876 by Colonel Eli Lilly, the company has grown into one of the world's most valuable pharmaceutical enterprises, with operations in approximately 125 countries. Lilly specializes in developing and manufacturing innovative medicines across multiple therapeutic areas, including diabetes, oncology, neuroscience, immunology, and cardiometabolic diseases. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking work in insulin production, having been the first to mass-produce insulin and later developing the first commercially available insulin product in the U.S. Lilly's current portfolio includes blockbuster medications such as Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide) for diabetes and obesity, Trulicity (dulaglutide) for type 2 diabetes, Verzenio (abemaciclib) for breast cancer, and Taltz (ixekizumab) for autoimmune conditions. With approximately 47,000 employees worldwide, Lilly maintains a strong commitment to research and development, investing heavily in scientific innovation to address some of the world's most significant health challenges. The company operates with a mission to make life better for people around the world through the discovery and delivery of innovative medicines.