Associate Director - Quality Management System Process Owner Network Capability and Continuous Improvement

Eli Lilly Eli Lilly · Pharma · Indianapolis, IN

This role focuses on leading the strategic development and maturity of a global process owner network within a Quality Management System (QMS) in the pharmaceutical industry. It involves defining capability maturity models, identifying competencies, designing training, establishing governance, and leveraging analytics for continuous improvement. The role requires extensive experience in process excellence and quality systems within the pharmaceutical sector.

What you'd actually do

  1. Define and implement a capability maturity model for the global process owner network
  2. Identify core and supplemental competencies required for process owners
  3. Assess current state and develop roadmaps to elevate process owner network performance and impact
  4. Design and deliver targeted training programs, certifications, and mentoring frameworks and partner with HR and L&D to embed capability development into career pathways
  5. Establish governance, standards, and best practices for process ownership

Skills

Required

  • Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Organizational Development, Business or related field
  • 10+ years in process excellence, quality systems, or operational leadership in pharmaceutical industry
  • Proven experience in building global capability frameworks and communities
  • Strong understanding of process ownership models, maturity assessments, and organizational change management

Nice to have

  • Demonstrated influential leadership expertise and experience engaging with senior-level functional leads in a matrixed organization.
  • Exceptional communication, coaching, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to lead diverse teams and collaborate at all levels through various formats.
  • Experience leading major or global process improvements and making strategic decisions by analyzing and interpreting complex data.
  • Strong strategic thinking capability with a focus on the ability to execute strategic decisions while balancing conflicting priorities.
  • Demonstrated agility in anticipating and leading others through change and ambiguity.
  • Familiarity with digital platforms (e.g., SAP, eQMS, eDoc systems) and data governance

What the JD emphasized

  • 10+ years in process excellence, quality systems, or operational leadership in pharmaceutical industry
  • Proven experience in building global capability frameworks and communities
  • Strong understanding of process ownership models, maturity assessments, and organizational change management