Lead Designer

Organization Overview 

At Lilly, we serve an extraordinary purpose. Every day, we make a difference for people around the globe by discovering, developing, and delivering medicines that help them live longer, healthier, and more active lives.  

The Lilly Creative Capabilities team fuses data, creativity, and technology to turn bold ideas into work that moves people worldwide. As a true creative engine, we partner across the enterprise, uniting deep brand expertise with integrated insights and modern production to deliver breakthrough ideas with confidence and speed. We design human-centric experiences that build trust, deepen understanding, and drive measurable outcomes. Together, we push past “good enough,” raising the bar for creative excellence and operational agility. If you are driven to lead, to learn fast, and to raise the bar every day, come help us redefine what a best-in-any-class in-house agency can do. 
 

Who We Are  

We are transforming our in-house agency (IHA) to set a new standard for excellence, creating an environment where creativity thrives on the foundation of smart operations, innovative technology, and empowered people. As a Lead Designer, you will play a critical role in executing complex design projects and shaping the visual consistency of our brands. You’ll collaborate closely with Art Directors, Associate Creative Directors, and cross-functional partners, working within a small, high-performing creative team that values bold ideas, inclusive design, and continuous improvement. You’ll take ownership of multiple projects across different brands, support the development of design systems, and help drive operational efficiency through innovative use of technology and best practices. This is an opportunity to develop your expertise, mentor others, and make a real impact on how people connect with our brands. 

What We Are Looking For 

• Highly skilled lead designer with a strong portfolio demonstrating hands-on, high-impact creative work across digital, social, print, experiential platforms, and multiple brands. 

• Expert in design principles, layout, typography, and brand standards, with advanced proficiency in the last Adobe Creative Suite. 

• Hands-on creative who thrives on developing and executing visual concepts, not just overseeing the work. 

• Collaborative partner who works closely with ACDs, copywriters, designers, and cross-functional teams to ensure cohesive storytelling. 

• Eager learner who is open to feedback and committed to continuous improvement. 

• Detail-oriented professional who delivers work on time and to spec. 

• Advocate for inclusive and accessible design practices across all formats. 

What You’ll Work On 

• Execute visual concepts for integrated campaigns across digital, social, print, and experiential platforms. 

• Interpret creative briefs and translate them into compelling visual solutions that reflect brand identity and connect with diverse audiences. 

• Collaborate with Art Directors, ACDs, copywriters, other designers, and cross-functional partners to ensure cohesive storytelling and creative alignment. 

• Support the development and maintenance of design systems, templates, and visual assets to drive consistency and efficiency. 

• Champion inclusive and accessible design practices, ensuring all visual content is welcoming and usable for all audiences. 

• Stay current on design trends, platform updates, and audience behaviors, proactively bringing new ideas and approaches to the work.  

• Leverage technology and creative platforms to streamline workstreams and automate repetitive tasks. 

• Share relevant knowledge and creative best practices across teams to help develop talent, foster a culture of growth and collaboration, and elevate collective performance.  

• Ensure all design work adheres to brand guidelines, accessibility requirements, and regulatory standards. 

• Participate in creative reviews, providing and receiving feedback to continuously elevate the quality of work. 

• Contribute to a culture of creative excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement. 

Minimum Experience / Personal Skill Requirements: 

• Bachelor’s degree in design, such as Graphic Design, Digital Design, Interaction Design, Visual Communication Design or equivalent experience.  

• 8+ years as Senior Designer, Graphic Designer, or equivalent, with a portfolio demonstrating impactful, hands-on creative work 

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

•  Deep understanding of healthcare marketing, including both HCP and DTC audiences, and experience navigating vigorous regulations or similar compliance review processes. 

• Proven ability to design and execute powerful and effective creative concepts 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills across all organizational levels 

• Deep technical expertise in design software and tools (Adobe Suite)  
   

• Demonstrated success support multiple brands and stakeholders across diverse marketing channels. 

• Highly motivated to pursue ongoing learning and professional development, including obtaining certifications such as, but not limited to, Adobe Certified Professional, Meta Digital Marketing Associate certification, and other standard industry certifications (or equivalent industry recognized certifications) to stay current with application advancements and industry best practices. 

• Strong communication, organization, and time management skills 

• Proven success managing enterprise-level clients and complex, multi-channel creative campaigns. 

• Deep understanding of creative development, digital marketing, brand strategy, and omnichannel strategy. 

• Experience supporting multiple brands and stakeholders across diverse marketing channels. 

• Deep understanding of creative development, digital marketing, brand strategy, and omnichannel strategy. 

• Exhibits excellent problem solving and strategic thinking skills. 

• Competence with standard IT tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud – MAC platform). 

• Experience with project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile) and tools (e.g., Workfront), including logging time or duration at the task level. 

• Demonstrated prioritization skills and ability to manage competing deadlines. 

• Demonstrated ability to follow business rules and policies in a constructive but disciplined manner 

• Candidates may be invited to complete a skills assessment as part of the selection process 

Other 

Position based in Indianapolis; remote work options may be considered. Relocation package provided. Travel up to 15% is expected. 

Note: When applying internally for a position your current supervisor receives notification that you have applied to the position. We encourage employees to discuss the opportunity with their supervisor prior to applying. 

Lilly is proud to be an EEO Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender identity, sex, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. 

 
Our employee resource groups (ERGs) offer strong support networks for their members and are open to all employees. Our current groups include: Africa, Middle East, Central Asia Network, Black Employees at Lilly, Chinese Culture Network, Japanese International Leadership Network (JILN), Lilly India Network, Organization of Latinx at Lilly (OLA), PRIDE (LGBTQ+ Allies), Veterans Leadership Network (VLN), Women’s Initiative for Leading at Lilly (WILL), enAble (for people with disabilities). Learn more about all of our groups. 

Lilly may continue to provide U.S. visa sponsorship for current U.S. employees who meet the basic qualifications of the role and, prior to applying, have confirmed U.S. visa feasibility with Lilly’s U.S. Immigration Team. U.S. employees do not include individuals completing an STA or LTA in the U.S. from abroad. Roles on the B path, S path, or that do not minimally require a bachelor’s degree are not feasible for visa sponsorship. 
 

#WeAreLilly 
 

Lilly is proud to offer market-competitive employee benefits designed to empower you to live your best life.  Employees may elect medical, prescription drug, dental and/or vision coverage for you and your family in one of two health plan options, enjoy best-in-class mental health support, and concierge services for orthopedic, cardiovascular, fertility care, and LGBTQ health navigation. We also support well-being with a fitness membership, health coaching, and wellness activities at no additional cost. Our retirement benefits are designed to help our employees feel secure in their financial future by including a defined benefit pension, a 401(k) match, and retiree medical coverage. We provide life and disability insurance for peace of mind and protection for you and your loved ones and paid time-off benefits to support you in life’s moments that matter including personal illness, caregiver, bereavement, and other family needs, in addition to annual paid vacation and holidays.  Lilly reserves the right to terminate or modify company-provided benefits at any time in its discretion. The company compensation structures are aligned to the location of hire. The United States pay range and benefits offering do not apply to any location outside of the United States.