Advisor-Construction Manager-GFD

About the role

This position is a full-time, regular (FTE) Construction Management role in Global Facilities Delivery (GFD), an internal Eli Lilly project management organization responsible for executing a global capital project portfolio to meet business needs. GFD delivers new and renovated capital assets worldwide, with a focus on medical innovation and strengthening supply chains.

Key Objectives/Deliverables

• Construction Oversight: Directly supervise and manage a team of 3–5 direct reports (a mix of Lilly employees and contract Construction Managers) to safely execute large-scale capital programs of at least $1BN USD or more in business-critical assets. Accountable for field construction execution from detailed design through mechanical completion, ensuring contractor teams deliver on safety, cost, schedule, and quality objectives on both Brownfield and Greenfield sites. Hold accountability for the field execution budget and capital spend across assigned programs, including cost forecasting, change management, and adherence to financial controls.
• Interface/Communication: Report directly to the GFD Senior Director/Project Leader and serve as the primary point of contact between field construction teams and program leadership. Develop and maintain effective communication with GFD, project leadership, project teams, governance bodies, business partners, and site stakeholders. Facilitate issue resolution, proactively identify scope changes, and implement construction work safely with quality, speed, and value.
• Compliance: Lead with a disciplined, structured approach to construction management based on compliance with Company Policies and Procedures, including construction quality standards, GMP requirements where applicable, and applicable regulatory frameworks.
• Safety/Environment: Develop and maintain safety and environmental execution plans for all construction scopes. Ensure compliance with safety and environmental policies, procedures, and work rules for project personnel, contractors, and subcontractors from mobilization through construction completion and turnover. Serve as an active member of the site safety leadership team.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of 15+ years of experience in capital project construction delivery in industrial or manufacturing facilities, preferably including direct field supervision of projects or programs greater than $500MM in size.
• Previous experience executing greenfield and large-scale brownfield construction projects.
• Demonstrated experience directly managing or overseeing multiple construction contractors or construction management firms simultaneously.
• Willingness to relocate and/or travel to project locations outside of home state/country.

Additional Preferences

• Pharmaceutical manufacturing construction experience.
• Construction execution experience in pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities such as: Bulk API, sterile products, secondary packaging, devices, and to a lesser extent lab projects.
• Experience in the following areas: GMP construction, LEAN construction principles, construction quality systems, project controls, civil/structural/mechanical/electrical disciplines, safety leadership, and scheduling.
• Proven ability to achieve results and influence through people, including contractor workforces not under direct administrative authority.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and drive accountability across contract construction management organizations.
• Must exhibit sound judgment in field decision-making without requiring management approval for routine issues, while keeping the AVP and program leadership informed and engaged on critical matters.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, across all levels of project and organizational hierarchy.
• Competency in a foreign language(s).
• Professional Engineer (PE), Certified Construction Manager (CCM), or equivalent technical certification.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Construction Management certification preferred.
• Experience working and/or living outside the U.S.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement and serving as a change agent within construction operations.

Additional Information

International and domestic travel is expected in this role and may include weekends and multi-week stays (15% to 30%). This position will require full relocation to the project site, as onsite presence is required. This position reports directly to the Associate Vice President, Global Facilities Delivery.