Associate Vice President – Global Communications Innovation & Operations

This role reports directly into the Chief Communications Officer and leads the development of a bold, data-driven communications strategy that drives measurable business outcomes and stakeholder influence. This leader operates at the intersection of creativity and analytics—using insights to unlock innovation, push creative boundaries, and ensure our communications cut through in a rapidly evolving media landscape. 
 
The AVP operationalizes the communications function through scalable frameworks, measurement systems, and strategic planning processes while challenging the team to think differently about how we communicate. This role oversees creative output for Lilly's owned enterprise channels, partnering closely with the Lilly Social Media Center of Excellence to translate marketing best practices into compelling corporate storytelling. The AVP ensures our content strategy is informed by trust data, audience insights, and reputational intelligence. 
 
The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking, operationally minded leader with a passion for creativity, strong understanding of modern communications disciplines, and vision to transform insights into action. 

Key Objectives/Deliverables 
Strategy & Innovation 

• Lead development of a multi-year communications strategy that is visionary and actionable, grounded in enterprise goals and measurable outcomes 

• Challenge conventional thinking and introduce innovative approaches—from emerging platforms to new storytelling formats 

• Drive creative excellence across owned enterprise channels, ensuring content is strategically informed, audience-centric, and optimized for impact 

• Leverage trust data, audience research, and reputational insights to guide creative strategy and content development 

• Partner with the Lilly Social Media Center of Excellence to adopt marketing innovations and translate learnings into corporate communications 

• Oversee the team of creatives responsible for enterprise storytelling, pushing for breakthrough work aligned with data-driven insights 

• Facilitate priority setting among communications leadership, balancing strategic ambition with operational realities 

• Identify white space opportunities where Lilly can lead in the communications profession 

Measurement & Insights 

• Build and lead an industry-leading measurement program connecting communications activities to business outcomes and stakeholder behavior 

• Translate data into actionable insights that inform strategy and optimize creative output.  

• Drive understanding of key audiences—who we need to reach, where they are, what they trust, and how to engage them 

• Strengthen team data literacy, ensuring insights drive decisions across all communications  

Operational Excellence 

• Operationalize the communications function through scalable planning, collaboration, and resource allocation processes 

• Standardize frameworks that enhance efficiency without stifling creativity or agility 

• Oversee budget planning, contract negotiations, and agency management to optimize spending 

• Lead a team of project managers aligned to business priorities 

• Drive cross-team collaboration and milestone tracking that connects the dots across communications disciplines 

• Implement AI-driven tools and platforms that capture efficiencies and enhance creative capabilities 

• Lead strategic agenda creation for leadership and all-staff meetings 

Team Development & Culture 

• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and creative excellence 

• Develop talent through opportunities to experiment with new approaches 

• Elevate the team's profile through speaking engagements and awards 

• Create an environment where data informs creativity and creativity is measured for impact 

Basic Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing

• Minimum 12 years of communications experience, with time spent in a global, matrixed organization 

• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Lilly will not provide support for or sponsor work authorization and/or visas for this role. 

Additional Information 

• Significant experience managing teams and leading cross-company initiatives 

• Proven track record of driving creative innovation informed by data and insights 

• Strong understanding of modern communications disciplines including digital, social, content, media relations, and measurement 

• Some international and domestic travel expected as conditions and business need arise 

• Located in Indianapolis or telecommute from other US location 

Additional Skills/Preferences 

• Strategic & Creative Excellence: Visionary thinker who translates data into compelling creative direction and understands trust dynamics, and communications trends.  

• Communications Expertise: Strong knowledge of communications disciplines including owned channels, media relations, crisis management, and creative team oversight. 

• Operational & Analytical Strength: Problem-solver who builds frameworks, architects AI-powered tools, and connects communications metrics to business outcomes.  

• Leadership & Collaboration: Proven leader who builds relationships at all levels, provides counsel to senior leaders, and fosters global collaboration and innovation.