Sr. Director - Aesthetic Health External Innovation

Job ID: R-112148Company: LillyLocation: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of AmericaJob Type: Full TimeCategory: Research & DevelopmentPosted Date: 2026-09-22At Lilly, the work is demanding because patients are waiting. We unite caring with discovery to help make life better for people around the world, knowing that every decision, every detail, and every day matters. Headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, our over 50,000 employees around the globe take on complex challenges to discover and deliver life-changing medicines, strengthen how health is understood and managed, and support the communities we serve. This is hard, urgent, selfless work—but it’s work worth doing. If you’re driven by purpose and ready to bring your best to work that truly matters for patients, we invite you to join us. At Lilly, we serve an extraordinary purpose. We make a difference for people around the globe by discovering, developing and delivering medicines that help them live longer, healthier, more active lives. Not only do we deliver breakthrough medications, but you also can count on us to develop creative solutions to support communities through philanthropy and volunteerism.Aesthetic Health is an emerging and strategically important area at Lilly, sitting at the intersection of immunology, dermatology, and metabolic medicine. With a growing portfolio and a patient population increasingly searching for visible health solutions, external innovation will be central to building a differentiated, science-driven aesthetic medicine capability.Purpose of the JobReporting to the SVP, Immunology Research, and working in close partnership with Corporate BD, Catalyze360, Aesthetic Health Strategy and Discovery colleagues, the Executive Director, Aesthetic Health External Innovation role provides search and evaluate activities for external and academic programs in aesthetic medicine — identifying, evaluating, and executing transformative partnerships across cutaneous biology, body contouring, skin aging, hair biology, and adjacent aesthetic indications.This role serves as the primary scientific interface between Lilly's internal aesthetic health strategy and the external innovation ecosystem, ensuring that the most compelling external science is identified early and licensed or acquired with appropriate urgency to meet our Aesthetic Health strategic objectives. The successful candidate will combine deep mechanistic expertise with strategic judgment, relationship breadth, and an ability to operate effectively across scientific, clinical, commercial, and financial stakeholders.Key ResponsibilitiesSource, identify, and coordinate evaluation of innovative external assets for Aesthetic Health, spanning the full range of modalities — from biologics and small molecules to devices and device-drug combinations, and novel delivery platforms — with a focus on differentiated and non-obvious solutions that can reshape the treatment landscapeDrive deals to completioncompletion: this role is expected to directly in-source programs into Lilly's Aesthetic Health portfolio (working with corporate business development and other functions), and the ability to align internal stakeholders, build consensus, and close transactions is a core expectationBuild long-term trusted relationships and serve as Lilly Aesthetic Health's representative with external partners, investment groups, and academic innovators, as well as internal peers and collaborators across Aesthetic Health and discovery, development, and commercial functionsActively engage and examine the global innovation ecosystem — including emerging biotechs, medical device companies, academic spinouts, and adjacent consumer health innovators — for partnering, licensing, and acquisition possibilities that augment Lilly's Aesthetic Health capabilities and pipelineLead interactions with selected external organizations; represent Lilly's aesthetic strategy, scientific standards, and commercial needs to external partners with clarity and credibilityExecute key projects in collaboration with external groups, including design and oversight of de-risking experiments that build confidence and accelerate internal decision-makingMap the external competitive and innovation landscape continuously; cultivate relationships and platforms in emerging aesthetic categories or progressive technologies that could shift treatment paradigms and open new-to-Lilly spacesWork closely with peers across affiliates and functions to ensure coordination of efforts, avoid duplication, and deliver consistent communications to senior leadershipConduct rigorous analyses to support prioritization and indication planning decisions; develop scalable frameworks and processes for evaluating new targets, programs, and platform technologies within Aesthetic HealthRequired QualificationsPh.D. in Dermatology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Cutaneous Biology, or a related field; M.D. with specialization in Dermatology, Plastic Surgery, or related field10+ years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, with demonstrated expertise across the drug discovery and development lifecycle.Proven track record in external innovation, search and evaluation, and/or business development within dermatology, aesthetic medicine, or an adjacent therapeutic area.Deep mechanistic understanding of cutaneous biology, skin aging, and/or hair follicle biology, including familiarity with emerging therapeutic modalities and local delivery approaches.Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage complex scientific collaborations across organizational boundaries.Strong strategic thinking capabilities with the ability to assess scientific merit and commercial potential of early-stage opportunities.Additional PreferencesExperience in new company creation, venture capital interactions, or spinout management.Track record of successful partnership execution — deal sheet preferred.National and international collaboration experience; existing KOL network in dermatology and/or aesthetic medicine.Familiarity with novel therapeutic modalities relevant to aesthetics, including cell therapy, genetic medicine, precision medicine, local delivery technologies, and device combinations.Proven ability to influence senior leadership and drive strategic decision-making without direct authority.Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present compellingly to senior leadership and external partners.Willingness to engage in domestic and international travel (up to 40%) to support partnership activities and external engagement.Track record of managing and developing high-performing teams.Physical Demands / TravelThe physical demands of this job are consistent with office-based work with frequent travel for partnership meetings, conferences, and diligence visits. Up to 40% domestic and international travel may be required to support partnership development and external collaboration activities.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 () 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 proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, 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 are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia (AMECA), Black Employees at Lilly (View email address on click.appcast.io), Chinese Culture Network (CCN), EnAble, Evolve, Lilly Indian Network (LIN), Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), Pride (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN) and Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL).Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is$175,500 - $283,800Full-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.#WeAreLillySkillsexternal innovation managementdrug discovery lifecyclecutaneous biologyexternal asset evaluationbusiness developmentstrategic partnership developmentdeal sheet developmentstakeholder managementcross-functional team leadershipscientific analysisstrategic decision makingstrategic thinkingnew company creationventure capital managementspinout managementkol networkinglocal delivery technologiescell therapygenetic medicineprecision medicinedevice combination developmentplatform technology evaluationprocess developmentproject managementscientific communication