Associate Director – Clinical Research Lead, Oncology

Job Description: • The Clinical Research Lead (CRL) is a strategic, field-based scientific leader responsible for driving the execution of Lilly clinical trials through exceptional investigator engagement and site performance management. • Accountable for the full spectrum of investigator engagement from identification and qualification through enrollment, and support database lock, and study closeout • Serve as a clinical trial scientific ambassador, ensuring investigators deeply understand protocol intent, scientific rationale, and patient eligibility requirements • Develop and sustain strategic, high-trust relationships with investigators that span trials and therapeutic areas • Influence enrollment by co-creating tailored recruitment strategies aligned with site capabilities, patient population realities, and study objectives • Proactively find opportunities to reach new patients, accelerate enrollment and increase impact at priority sites, including novel site models, community-based research initiatives etc • Capture and elevate critical insights from sites to optimize feasibility, protocol design, and study conduct • Lead site-level strategy and risk planning to ensure strong and predictable enrollment and data delivery • Leverage performance metrics to anticipate issues, intervene decisively, and maintain momentum toward clinical milestones • Drive inspection readiness as a continuous discipline across sites • Collaborate across functions and with vendor partners to resolve operational barriers, ensuring delivery with speed and quality • Maintain advanced understanding of local treatment paradigms and standard of care to influence strategic country/site selection and protocol localization • Provide oversight and quality assurance for vendor monitoring, escalating risks proactively • Cultivate a portfolio of strategically aligned, high-impact investigators who consistently prioritize Lilly trials • Enable an exceptional investigator experience by being a responsive, knowledgeable, and valued scientific partner • Collaborate cross-functionally (e.g., Medical, Clinical, Study Delivery) to align on trial and site priorities, troubleshooting challenges with urgency and creativity • Conduct data-informed site prospecting and prioritization, contributing to trial competitiveness and regional strategic execution • Maintain scientific fluency and therapeutic expertise to lead meaningful, solutions-focused discussions with site personnel • Act as a key liaison between field teams, vendors, and investigators, ensuring alignment, shared purpose, and continuous knowledge transfer • Partner closely with field team colleagues to elevate the investigator and site experience, ensuring seamless collaboration and improving enrollment outcomes and Investigator relationships • Represent Investigator Engagement with regulatory agencies, ethics committees, and national research organizations in countries/territory • Influence the clinical trial ecosystem to improve regulatory agility and operational feasibility • Ensure that local requirements are translated into compliant, efficient trial execution and that Lilly’s internal processes reflect evolving country landscapes • Partner with leadership to identify and align regional initiatives and contribute to enterprise-wide clinical development success Requirements: • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; strong preference for scientific, clinical, or health-related fields • Minimum 5 years of experience in clinical research or pharmaceutical industry with experience directly interacting with or working with HCPs and clinical sites • Minimum 2 years of relevant clinical or therapeutic area experience in Oncology • Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Lilly does not anticipate providing sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B or TN status) for this employment position • Currently reside in or be willing to relocate to our designated region (Florida) • Advanced degree in a scientific or clinical field (PharmD, PhD, MD, or MSc preferred) • Excellent understanding of GCP, clinical development and operations, and trial lifecycle • Demonstrated understanding of the therapeutic landscape and standards of care, with the ability to apply this knowledge to decision making • Proven ability to build credibility and influence HCP community through scientific acumen and relationship strength • Strategic approach with demonstrated success in delivering results in complex, fast-paced environments • Data-driven decision-making skills; ability to interpret and act on performance and operational metrics • Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills • Deep therapeutic area knowledge and familiarity with local clinical research ecosystems • Experience directly influencing clinical site performance and driving enrollment success • Track record of delivering or exceeding performance targets in a collaborative matrix environment • Experience working with regulators or national bodies in support of clinical trial delivery • English fluency and proficiency in local language(s) as needed. Benefits: • 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 • well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities) Apply tot his job Apply To this Job