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)
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