Associate Director - L&D Platform Leader

Responsibilities

• Build and lead a high-performing global team by setting a clear standard of excellence, holding accountability to outcomes with directness and care, and addressing performance gaps — and talent gaps — without hesitation.
• Bring high emotional intelligence to team leadership — reading individual motivators, team dynamics, and organizational pressure accurately to coach effectively, sustain cohesion through change, and create an environment where strong performers thrive.
• Translate strategic priorities into clear team direction and execution rhythm — removing blockers, maintaining momentum, and closing the gap between what leadership asks for and what the team delivers.
• Develop team members across craft, stakeholder influence, and leadership capacity — coaching individuals to frame problems well, bring solutions, and operate with increasing independence and confidence.
• Operate as a skilled problem-solver and credible cross-functional partner — navigating complex, matrixed relationships across platforms, sites, and senior leadership with substance, influence, and a clear line of sight to business outcomes.

Strategic Leadership & Governance

• Serve as the primary L&D Leader across a platform, ensuring alignment with global L&D strategies, policies, and procedures while meeting local operational needs.
• Report to and partner with the global CoE, LA and LEPs to implement future-facing learning solutions that drive performance, compliance, and operational excellence.
• Ensure global governance frameworks are executed at the platform level, maintaining inspection and audit readiness in real time.
• Act as a champion for a modern learning culture, shifting away from site-based traditional document-based training toward interactive, digital, and experiential global, network and platform-based learning solutions.

Learning Strategy & Execution

• Support the team providing platform and site-specific L&D initiatives that enable compliance, manufacturing excellence, and employee development.
• Drive learning effectiveness measurement using real-time data and analytics to ensure programs deliver measurable business impact.
• Partner cross-functionally with stakeholders to embed a learning mindset across the site.
• Ensure audit and inspection readiness, proactively addressing training gaps and regulatory expectations.
• Advocate for technology-enabled learning, including AI, immersive simulations, digital academies and just-in-time learning solutions.
• Ensure implementation of the GMQLD strategy for measuring learning program effectiveness across Platform — including evaluation frameworks, assessment design, and business impact methodologies.
• Operate as a strategic partner to Senior Director, COE, global functional leadership, LAs, Site L&D Leads, Quality, Operations, HR, and Tech@Lilly — influencing decisions and driving alignment across a sophisticated, matrixed global organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 8+ years of demonstrated experience in Learning & Development, Talent Development, Instructional Design, or Manufacturing Training, with a focus on regulated pharmaceutical or biotech manufacturing environments.

Skills & Preferences

• Master's degree in Learning Sciences, Instructional Systems Technology, Performance Technology, Organizational Development, Data Analytics, or related fields.
• Recognized internal expert in manufacturing quality learning strategy, workforce readiness, and/or qualification program design — with demonstrated ability to influence senior management, regulators, or external partners on key decisions.
• Deep understanding of GxP, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), regulatory requirements, and compliance training across global manufacturing networks.
• Expertise in modern learning methodologies including competency-based training, AI-driven learning platforms, simulation-based learning, digital academies, and performance consulting.
• Demonstrated ability to make complex technical and business decisions within general functional, company, and industry guidelines — operating with strategic autonomy.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to anticipate, identify, and solve complex capability problems that affect the functional or business area — linking learning and workforce readiness outcomes to operational and quality performance.
• Proficiency in data visualization and business intelligence tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) with the ability to translate data into executive-level insights and strategic action.
• Experience setting strategy and governing network or enterprise scale — building frameworks, standards, and governance models that multiple teams execute against.
• Demonstrated ability to influence internal and external customers and partners to identify opportunities for improving technologies, processes, and learning services across a global network.
• Experience leading large-scale programs or initiatives with significant complexity, resource requirements, and strategic risk — managing across functions, geographies, and organizational layers.
• Track record of staying abreast of regulatory and policy developments in GMP manufacturing and playing a direct role in influencing qualification and training regulations or organizational strategies.
• Experience leading learning transformation initiatives in a manufacturing environment, including adoption of next-generation technologies and evidence-based learning design.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Power Platform (Power BI, PowerApps) and/or enterprise learning analytics infrastructure.
• Familiarity with OJT program design and on-the-job performance verification approaches common in pharma manufacturing.
• Exceptional executive communication skills — verbal, written, and data storytelling — with the ability to simplify complexity for senior audiences and drive decisions.
• Certifications in performance improvement (CPT), learning evaluation, or related disciplines (CPTD, ATD, HPI) are a plus.
• Change management experience in a global, matrixed organization.