Senior Director, Global Development Leader

Senior Director, Global Development Leader

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals! As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People. At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights. Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!

The Sr. Director will provide strategic and operational leadership for global animal health development programs, ensuring delivery of programs objective from research through approval, supply readiness, and launch. Accountable for maximizing product value, driving cross-functional alignment, and delivering programs On Time In Full (OTIF). Scope may include multiple species, technology types and registration pathways.

Your Responsibilities:

• Define and deliver the project goals OTIF by proactively managing program profile, timeline, risk, opportunity, investment and resourcing strategies from research to approval including reliable supply and launch readiness.
• Serve as the single point of accountability to governance for strategic and technical program performance.
• Lead development and optimize program progression strategy in partnership with functional SMEs to deliver optimum product profile ensuring alignment with innovation governance.
• Lead issue escalation and resolution processes, driving timely decisions and cross-functional alignment through innovation governance bodies.
• Represent the program across governance forums, delivering transparent, data-driven updates on progress, risks, mitigation plans, and strategic opportunities to enable informed decision-making.
• Ensure strong collaboration and interaction with critical functions beyond R&D (e.g. Corporate Strategy & Global Launch, Manufacturing & Quality) to ensure proper program valuation & ROI.
• Set clear goals and objectives for the program team members, hold self and others accountable.
• Positively influence, foster creativity, and motivate program team members.
• Proactively identify & communicate risks, mitigations and remediation plan.
• Create a high-performance team environment through clear accountability, effective influence, and strong stakeholder alignment.
• Effectively lead engagements with regulatory agencies, external collaborators/vendors as needed.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):

• Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g. Veterinary medicine, Immunology, Pharmacology, biology, animal science, or related sciences) plus relevant industry experience.
• Extensive experience in regulated pharmaceutical or animal health product development.
• Deep expertise across end-to-end development with strong knowledge in at least two of the following:Clinical Development (Safety/Efficacy)Technical Development / CMCRegulatory Affairs
• A strong track record of matrixed leadership capabilities including the ability to assess and adapt communication, accountability, and motivational styles within a team of diverse personalities and backgrounds across the global sites network.
• Demonstrated success leading complex global, cross-functional development programs.
• Strong strategic thinking, matrix leadership, and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and decision-making skills.
• High emotional intelligence with the ability to lead and motivate diverse teams.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):

• PhD and/or DVM with 5+ years of R&D project leadership experience within Animal Health.
• Proven ability to independently lead multiple complex development programs.
• PH Therapeutics Experience - in small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, and vaccine development.
• Demonstrated success presenting to and influencing senior governance and executive leadership teams.

Additional Information:

Domestic/International travel required (20%).

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrepresented groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!

Elanco Benefits and Perks:

We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:

• Multiple relocation packages
• Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)
• 8-week parental leave
• 9 Employee Resource Groups
• Annual bonus offering
• Flexible work arrangements
• Up to 6% 401K matching

Elanco 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.

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated (NYSE: ELAN) is a global leader in animal health dedicated to innovating and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets, creating value for farmers, pet owners, veterinarians, stakeholders, and society as a whole. With nearly 70 years of animal health heritage, we are committed to helping our customers improve the health of animals in their care, while also making a meaningful impact on our local and global communities. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching life and our Elanco Healthy Purpose™ CSR framework – all to advance the health of animals, people and the planet. Learn more at