Executive Medical Director - Physician -Early Clinical Development, Immunology
Compensation
Not disclosed
Location
Boston, Massachusetts
Work setup
Not specified
Seniority
Not specified
Employment
Fellowship
Experience
Not specified
Category
Healthcare
Posted
Skills
business-development
gcp
proof-of-concept
Must have
Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy. Must be board eligible or certified in Rheumatology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Allergy/Immunology, or related specialty or have completed the comparable le
Non-US trained physicians must have completed education and training at a medical school that meets the requirements of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
Nice to have
Minimum 3–5+ years of pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry experience with progression to Director or Sr Director responsibilities in early clinical development
PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, or related field strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience in early-phase clinical trial design and execution
Strong background in translational medicine and biomarker development or application
Track record of successful cross-functional collaboration and matrix leadership
Deep understanding of immunology, autoimmune disease pathophysiology, and current therapeutic landscape
Experience with novel immunomodulatory approaches (biologics, small molecules, cell therapies, genetic medicines)
Knowledge of regulatory requirements for early clinical development (IND strategy, FDA interactions, global regulatory agencies)
Familiarity with target identification/prioritization through causal human biology in areas of high unmet need, translational endpoints, biomarker strategies, precision medicine approaches, clinical p
Previous experience in autoimmune therapeutic areas (autoimmune, inflammatory, and allergic diseases within gastroenterology, rheumatology, dermatology, and respiratory specialties)
Publication record in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating scientific leadership
Experience with business development, licensing, or partnership activities
Previous regulatory interactions and FDA or other health authority meeting experience
Advanced degree or fellowship training in clinical research or pharmaceutical medicine
Experience with innovative experimental medicine trial designs and adaptive study approaches
Demonstrated ability to lead programs, influence strategy, and operate effectively in a fast-moving, high-visibility portfolio environment
Full description
At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us.
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.
Position Summary
We are seeking a high-impact physician scientist and emerging industry leader to join our Immunology team as Executive Medical Director, Early Clinical Development. This role is designed for a clinical translational leader ready to step into enterprise influence, bridging the critical gap between discovery science and clinical application, driving the development of transformational medicines for patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
The successful candidate will serve as a strategic and scientific leader, connecting discovery scientists, translational/biomarker experts, early clinical physicians, clinical pharmacologists, and late-stage clinicians to craft compelling therapeutic hypotheses and efficiently test them in early clinical development with line of sight to full development and approval. This role requires strong matrix leadership, executive presence, and the ability to inspire high-performing teams, influencing cross-functional partners and advancing both internal and external portfolio opportunities to bring transformational treatments to patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases.
This position is ideal for a proven industry Director/Sr Director seeking broader leadership scope, enterprise visibility, and the opportunity to help build a dynamic and growing Immunology organization at Lilly.
Collaborate with discovery, translational medicine, and clinical teams to develop and refine therapeutic hypotheses for autoimmune and inflammatory diseases
Participate in prioritization of target and modality selection, integrating scientific rigor with clinical feasibility, unmet needs, and commercial potential, with particular attention to transformational potential of proposed programs
Evaluate and diligence external discovery and early clinical opportunities for potential partnerships or acquisitions
Provide scientific and clinical expertise to portfolio strategy to ensure a robust pipeline of transformational medicines in autoimmunity and inflammation
Act as a visible strategic leader within the immunology portfolio, influencing direction, investment decisions, and development priorities
Clinical Development Excellence
In collaboration with stakeholders, design early clinical studies that efficiently test therapeutic hypotheses
Collaborate with clinical pharmacology, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, operations, and other stakeholders to optimize study design and execution
Integrate translational endpoints and biomarker strategies to accelerate and maximize learning from early clinical studies and enable early decision-making
Contribute to regulatory interactions, including pre-IND, IND submissions, interactions to ex-US health authorities, as well as regulatory strategy development
Monitor patient safety and ensure compliance with GCP, FDA, ICH guidelines, and company policies
Drive innovative experimental medicine approaches and accelerate progression from first-in-human through proof-of-concept
Cross-Functional Leadership & Influence
Serve as scientific and medical expert across multiple therapeutic programs simultaneously
Lead early clinical strategy in cross-functional teams through matrix influence, aligning diverse stakeholders around common objectives
Facilitate decision-making processes across discovery, development, and commercial functions
Mentor and develop junior team members while building scientific capabilities across the organization
Operate as a culture-shaping leader who elevates performance, accountability, and collaboration across teams
External Partnerships & Scientific Exchange
Establish and maintain relationships with key opinion leaders and scientific experts in autoimmunity and inflammation
Represent Lilly at scientific conferences, advisory boards, and industry forums
Support business development activities through clinical scientific due diligence
As appropriate, identify, evaluate, and execute strategic partnerships with CROs, biotech companies, academic institutions, and research organizations to enable the discovery and early development portfolio and strategy
Enhance Lilly’s external scientific presence as a thought partner and collaborator in immunology innovation
Regulatory & Medical Affairs Support
Partner with regulatory colleagues on IND strategy, FDA interactions, and global development planning
Contribute medical expertise to regulatory submissions and agency communications
Support risk management planning and safety signal evaluation
Participate in data analysis, scientific publications, and medical communications
Help shape development strategy and regulatory positioning for early-stage immunology assets
Minimum Qualifications
Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy. Must be board eligible or certified in Rheumatology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Allergy/Immunology, or related specialty or have completed the comparable level of post-medical school clinical training relevant to the country of hiring. US trained physicians must have achieved board eligibility or certification. Physicians trained outside the US who are not US board eligible or certified may be hired directly for employment in the US at the discretion of the Chief Medical Officer.
Non-US trained physicians must have completed education and training at a medical school that meets the requirements of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).
Preferred Qualifications
Minimum 3–5+ years of pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry experience with progression to Director or Sr Director responsibilities in early clinical development
PhD in Immunology, Molecular Biology, or related field strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience in early-phase clinical trial design and execution
Strong background in translational medicine and biomarker development or application
Track record of successful cross-functional collaboration and matrix leadership
Deep understanding of immunology, autoimmune disease pathophysiology, and current therapeutic landscape
Experience with novel immunomodulatory approaches (biologics, small molecules, cell therapies, genetic medicines)
Knowledge of regulatory requirements for early clinical development (IND strategy, FDA interactions, global regulatory agencies)
Familiarity with target identification/prioritization through causal human biology in areas of high unmet need, translational endpoints, biomarker strategies, precision medicine approaches, clinical pharmacology, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling
Previous experience in autoimmune therapeutic areas (autoimmune, inflammatory, and allergic diseases within gastroenterology, rheumatology, dermatology, and respiratory specialties)
Publication record in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating scientific leadership
Experience with business development, licensing, or partnership activities
Previous regulatory interactions and FDA or other health authority meeting experience
Advanced degree or fellowship training in clinical research or pharmaceutical medicine
Experience with innovative experimental medicine trial designs and adaptive study approaches
Demonstrated ability to lead programs, influence strategy, and operate effectively in a fast-moving, high-visibility portfolio environment
Key CompetenciesScientific Leadership:
Ability to synthesize complex scientific data and translate into actionable clinical strategies
Strategic thinking and hypothesis generation capabilities
Critical evaluation of competitive landscape and market opportunities
Matrix Leadership & Influence:
Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills
Demonstrated ability to influence without authority and build consensus across diverse teams
Strong negotiation and conflict resolution capabilities
Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in global environment
Executive presence with the ability to engage senior stakeholders
Execution Excellence:
Autonomous work style with strong project management capabilities
Results-oriented mindset with focus on patient impact and business objectives
Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, evolving environment
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
External Engagement:
Ability to build and maintain relationships with external scientific and clinical community
Strong presentation and public speaking capabilities
Professional network within autoimmune/inflammatory disease research community
Credibility as an emerging external scientific leader in immunology
Additional information and expectations
Travel: 25-40% domestic and international travel required
Location: Boston, San Diego, San Francisco, Indianapolis,
Reports to: head of Early Clinical Development, Immunology Discovery
Matrix relationships: Extensive collaboration across Discovery, Translational Medicine, Clinical Pharmacology, Quantitative Systems Pharmacology, Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, and Search and Evaluation/Business Development
Opportunity to play a foundational leadership role in a rapidly expanding Lilly Immunology organization with strong executive sponsorship and pipeline momentum
Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form () for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.
Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups.
Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is
$265,500 - $389,400
Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including 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; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.
#WeAreLilly
Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form () for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response.
Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (BE@Lilly), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).
Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is
$265,500 - $389,400Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including 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; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees.