Associate Director, Clinical Research Lead (East Coast/Midwest)

Purpose: 

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. This role is pivotal in ensuring Lilly’s portfolio is prioritized at high-performing sites and that trials are delivered with quality, speed, and insight. 

CRLs combine deep therapeutic and scientific knowledge with strategic agility to influence investigators, elevate protocol understanding, and co-develop tailored enrollment strategies in existing and new therapeutic areas. They serve as trusted partners to investigators—building strong, enduring relationships that improve return on enrollment and position Lilly as the sponsor of choice. CRLs partner closely with internal Lilly teams (including Clinical Development and Medical Affairs) to ensure that insights from the field shape development strategies and that development strategies are delivered with operational excellence and scientific clarity. 

Where applicable the CRL may also represent Investigator Engagement with Regulatory and External Bodies and help shape the country-level clinical trial landscape. 

Primary Responsibilities: This job description is intended to provide a general overview of the job requirements at the time it was prepared. The job requirements of any position may change over time and may include additional responsibilities not specifically described in the job description. Consult with your supervision regarding your actual job responsibilities and any related duties that may be required for the position. 

Clinical Investigator 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 for example, novel site models, community-based research initiatives etc 

• Capture and elevate critical insights from sites to optimize feasibility, protocol design, and study conduct 

Clinical Trial Management 

• 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 

• Where applicable, lead end-to-end management of Post-Marketing Safety Studies in compliance with local regulations 

Business Management and Engagement 

• 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 

Country / Regulatory Engagement (where applicable) 

• 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  

Minimum Qualification 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

Other Information/Additional Preferences: 

• 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 

Travel Requirements: 

• Willingness to travel extensively (60-80%)