Associate Director of Contracting Process and Project Management

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.

Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location.  The anticipated wage for this position is

$122,250 - $179,300

We are seeking a highly skilled and forward-thinking Associate Director of Contracting Process and Project Management to join our newly established Enterprise Contract Lifecycle Management (ECLM) team. This role will report into the Legal Operations PMO, with matrixed oversight from the ECLM attorney leader. This pivotal position offers the opportunity to lead the implementation of a new Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system and transform the organization's contracting processes. The ideal candidate is a seasoned CLM expert with proven experience leading large-scale, multi-functional contracting projects. They possess a deep understanding of process optimization and are passionate about maximising next-generation tools, automation, and technology to streamline workflows while enhancing process and data integrity. This is a unique chance to play a key role in creating an innovative, efficient, and transformative contracting function.

Do you have validated expertise in handling CLM technology and related tools? This is a chance to join a dynamic team at Lilly!

Core Responsibilities

• CLM System Implementation/Project Management: Lead project management and operational aspects of the end-to-end implementation of a new Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives, legal requirements, and enterprise-wide goals. Oversee project timelines, collaborator involvement, and implementation milestones to ensure a smooth rollout. Coordinate with consultants and Tech at Lilly teams, while driving accountability for meeting project deadlines and results.
• Contracting Process Development: Establish and standardize contracting processes, operating principles, and governance guidelines across the enterprise to ensure consistency, efficiency, and compliance. Collaborate with business units to align and optimize workflows for the new CLM system.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: Act as a bridge between Legal Operations, the attorney-led ECLM, and other cross-functional teams, including procurement, IT, compliance, and third-party risk management. Ensure that stakeholder requirements are understood and incorporated into the system design and rollout.
• Data Management and Reporting: Ensure the accuracy and readiness of contract data within the CLM system. Collaborate with reporting and analytics counterparts and PMO leadership to define and track KPIs, enabling data-driven insights and continuous improvement.
• Automation and Innovation: Find opportunities to use automation and Generative AI within the CLM system to streamline workflows, improve compliance, and enhance contracting efficiency.
• Post-Implementation Project Excellence: Serve as the primary project resource for ongoing enhancements, upgrades, and maintenance of the CLM system. Oversee future CLM-related projects and ensure integration with broader contracting ecosystems and organizational goals.
• Training and Organizational Change: Develop and deliver comprehensive training programs for end-users, ensuring adoption and proficiency with the CLM system. Provide organizational change support to guide the organization through the transition to new processes and technology.
• Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement: Define and track metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of the CLM system and contracting processes. Use insights to drive improvement and alignment with organizational strategies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field such as Business Administration, Legal Studies, Information Systems, or related field.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in contract management, legal operations, or related area.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization and/or visas for this role.

Preferred Qualifications

• Solid project management skills, with experience leading large-scale, cross-functional initiatives.
• Outstanding organizational and communication skills to influence and motivate change across the enterprise.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and navigate matrixed reporting structures.
• 5+ years of direct experience with Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM)
• 5+ years of prior experience with legal and contracting within the pharma / biotech / CRO industry.
• Solid understanding of pharma contracting, compliance and policies relevant to the services within the remit of the role.
• Experience in legal operations, particularly in driving operational efficiencies and implementing technology solutions within a legal context.
• Familiarity with automation and AI tools, with a focus on enhancing contracting workflows.
• Experience using Icertis and ContractPodAI.

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 (https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation) 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 an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, 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 help our company develop talented individuals for future leadership roles. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, African American Network, Chinese Culture Network, Early Career Professionals, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinos at Lilly, PRIDE (LGBTQ + Allies), Veterans Leadership Network, Women’s Network, Working and Living with Disabilities. Learn more about all of our groups.

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.

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