Associate Director, Clinical Research Lead – East Coast/Midwest

Eli Lilly and Company

Clinical Research Lead driving execution of Lilly clinical trials through investigator engagement. Ensuring trials are prioritized at high-performing sites, with quality, speed, and insight.

Posted 5/28/2026full-timeChicago • Illinois, North Carolina • 🇺🇸 United StatesSenior💰 $115,500 - $204,600 per yearWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Google Cloud Platform

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Drive the execution of Lilly clinical trials through exceptional investigator engagement and site performance management
Ensure Lilly’s portfolio is prioritized at high-performing sites and that trials are delivered with quality, speed, and insight
Combine deep therapeutic and scientific knowledge with strategic agility to influence investigators, elevate protocol understanding, and co-develop tailored enrollment strategies
Serve as trusted partners to investigators, building strong relationships that improve return on enrollment
Partner closely with internal Lilly teams to ensure that insights from the field shape development strategies
Lead site-level strategy and risk planning to ensure predictable enrollment and data delivery

Requirements

What you’ll need

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
Advanced degree in a scientific or clinical field (PharmD, PhD, MD, or MSc preferred)
Experience in the Neurodegeneration, Immunology or Cardiometabolic Health therapeutic spaces
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

Comp & perks

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)

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

clinical researchGCPclinical developmenttrial lifecycledata-driven decision-makingperformance metricsNeurodegenerationImmunologyCardiometabolic Healthscientific acumen

Soft Skills

communicationnegotiationorganizational skillsrelationship buildingstrategic approachinfluencecredibilitycollaborationadaptabilityproblem-solving

Certifications

Bachelor’s degreePharmDPhDMDMSc