Clinical Research Lead – Strategic Network Operations Manager

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.

Purpose:

The Clinical Research Lead-Strategic Network Operations Manager is a strategic, field-based scientific and operational leader responsible for driving the execution of Lilly clinical trials through exceptional investigator engagement and high-performing site partnerships. This role is pivotal in ensuring Lilly’s portfolio is prioritized across Strategic Network Partners and that trials are delivered with quality, speed, and insight.

Combining deep therapeutic knowledge with operational agility, this role leads the coordination of joint activities, fosters strong relationships with site leadership, and ensures alignment between internal Lilly stakeholders and external partners. The CRL-Strategic Network Operations Manager serves as a trusted partner, co-developing tailored enrollment strategies, elevating protocol understanding, and shaping the clinical trial landscape through collaboration with Lilly’s Strategic Network Partners.

Operational Partnership Management:

• Accountable for the full spectrum of investigator engagement across Strategic Network Partners—from identification and qualification through enrollment support, database lock, and study closeout.
• Serve as the primary operational point of contact for designated Strategic Network Partners across the portfolio.
• Develop and sustain strategic, high-trust relationships with network-affiliated investigators and network leadership that span trials and therapeutic areas.
• Influence enrollment by co-creating tailored recruitment strategies aligned with network capabilities, patient population realities, and study objectives.
• Lead network-level strategy and risk planning to ensure strong and predictable enrollment and data delivery across partner sites.
• Manage planning, tracking, and delivery of partnership activities, ensuring alignment with timelines, expectations, and strategic goals.
• Monitor and support network-level operational performance, escalating issues or risks as appropriate to ensure continuity and quality.

Internal Coordination:

• Collaborate cross-functionally (e.g., CRLs, Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs)m Medical, Clinical Development, Study Delivery) to ensure coordinated engagement with partner sites align on trial and network priorities, troubleshooting challenges with urgency and creativity.
• Act as a key liaison between field teams, vendors, and Strategic Network Partners, ensuring alignment, shared purpose, and continuous knowledge transfer.
• Partner closely with field team colleagues to elevate the investigator and site experience across the network, improving enrollment outcomes and strengthening long-term relationships.
• Support integration of Strategic Network Partners into portfolio planning, operational reviews, and leadership updates.
• Align with external operational partners (e.g., CROs, monitoring teams) on site interface activities.
• Capture and elevate critical insights from network sites to optimize feasibility, protocol design, and study conduct at scale.
• Collaborate across internal functions and with vendor partners to resolve operational barriers, ensuring delivery with speed and quality.
• Provide oversight and quality assurance for vendor monitoring activities across the network, escalating risks proactively.

Performance & Reporting:

• Track operational KPIs related to partner engagement (e.g., activation timelines, enrollment performance, site satisfaction).
• Leverage performance metrics to anticipate issues, intervene decisively, and maintain momentum toward clinical milestones.
• Prepare reports and updates for internal stakeholders and leadership forums.
• Identify trends, gaps, and opportunities to improve collaboration and site outcomes.

Process & Capability Building:

• Develop and maintain standard processes for Strategic Network Partner engagement to ensure consistency across teams.
• Support knowledge-sharing and operational capability building related to partnership management.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives to strengthen network relationships and optimize delivery.

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