Design Director - FDE

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Director - FDE
Company: Lilly
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Job Type: FULL_TIME
Category: Design & Innovation Operations / GTM Strategy
Date Posted: 2025-10-17
Experience Level: 10+ Years
Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and execute human-centered design and innovation programs within the Incubation Lab, focusing on transformative customer experiences.
• Drive rapid concept development, proof-of-concept, and prototyping activities to shape forward-looking solutions.
• Mentor and empower a team of designers, fostering a culture of experimentation, bold thinking, and high-quality design craft.
• Collaborate with cross-functional leaders and stakeholders to translate complex, ambiguous problems into actionable design prompts and deliver tangible value.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is situated within Lilly's Incubation Lab, suggesting a focus on early-stage innovation, rapid prototyping, and the development of new digital experiences. While not a traditional Revenue Operations or Sales Operations role, the emphasis on "customer experiences," "product development," and "business impact" aligns with GTM (Go-To-Market) strategy and operations principles. The Director will operationalize design thinking into tangible product concepts and influence the strategic direction of new digital initiatives, requiring strong project management, cross-functional alignment, and a data-informed approach to design decisions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the definition, envisioning, and shaping of differentiated customer experiences that empower individuals, particularly those living with medical conditions.
• Oversee a diverse network of internal and external design collaborators to deliver transformative experiences that provide real value.
• Partner with key stakeholders to translate complex and ambiguous problems into actionable design prompts and articulate potential solutions through narrative crafting and interactive proof-of-concepts.
• Cultivate and grow relationships with partner functions to foster a shared sense of user-centricity and demonstrate the impact of design on product development.
• Provide direct design contributions, when appropriate, ensuring storytelling, prototypes, and interface artifacts meet the highest standards of quality.
• Articulate design decisions and rationale effectively and persuasively to a wide range of non-technical and executive-level stakeholders to ensure program alignment.
• Make informed decisions on when to proceed and when to pivot ideas based on evolving circumstances and emerging insights from users or internal subject-matter experts.
• Champion experimentation and bold thinking to redefine what's possible at Lilly through innovative design solutions.
• Uphold a high bar for design craft, strategic thinking, and execution across all initiatives within the Incubation Lab.
• Mentor and empower a team of designers, expanding their skills, confidence, and creative impact within the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of direct contribution, strategic leadership, and team mentorship. For operations professionals, this translates to managing projects with defined deliverables, influencing strategic direction through data-backed insights (even if qualitative user insights), and ensuring operational efficiency in the design and prototyping process. The "fixed-term" nature of the position (up to 4 years) also implies a project-based operational focus, requiring adaptability and a results-oriented approach within a defined timeframe.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• BA/BS in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, or a relevant field.
• OR High School Diploma/GED with 10+ years of experience in design and/or design research.

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in design.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing and leading other designers and creatives in complex environments.
• Experience leading design teams in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or other highly regulated industries is preferred.
• Familiarity with contemporary development processes and modern front-end libraries and frameworks.

Required Skills:

• Proven expertise in human-centered design methodologies and user experience research.
• Strong capabilities in rapid prototyping, concept development, and storytelling.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor design teams, fostering collaboration and individual growth.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex ideas for diverse audiences, including executive-level stakeholders.
• Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills to translate ambiguous challenges into actionable design prompts.
• Experience managing relationships with internal and external collaborators across an enterprise.
• Deep expertise in the discipline of design, with a track record of delivering digital experiences for native and web applications.
• Ability to balance integration and iteration against key measurable priorities, results, and business impact.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, or other highly regulated industries.
• Understanding of digital accessibility standards and best practices.
• Familiarity with modern front-end development processes, libraries, and frameworks.
• A collaborative and optimistic spirit, demonstrating curiosity, empathy, and a positive attitude.

📝 Enhancement Note: The experience requirements clearly indicate a senior-level role demanding both hands-on design expertise and significant leadership/management capabilities. For operations candidates, this translates to demonstrating experience in managing complex projects with multiple stakeholders, defining project scopes, managing timelines, and delivering measurable outcomes. The emphasis on communication and stakeholder management is critical, mirroring the needs in operations roles that require cross-functional alignment and executive reporting.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 5-7 significant digital product or experience design projects, with a strong emphasis on those developed within regulated industries (healthcare/pharma preferred).
• Clearly articulate your role, the problem statement, the design process, and the tangible outcomes or impact of each project.
• Demonstrate a progression from initial concept to final implementation, highlighting iterative improvements and strategic decision-making.
• Include examples of user research, wireframing, prototyping, and final UI design.
• For leadership roles, include examples of team mentorship, process improvement initiatives, or strategic design direction.

Process Documentation:

• Be prepared to discuss your approach to defining and optimizing design processes, particularly within an innovation or incubation context.
• Detail how you manage ambiguity and drive projects forward with limited initial information.
• Explain your methods for ensuring digital accessibility and design quality are integrated into every stage of the product development lifecycle.
• Describe how you leverage user insights and data to inform design decisions and pivot strategies when necessary.
• Provide examples of how you have collaborated with engineering, product management, and other cross-functional teams to bring digital experiences to life.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the role is design-focused, the "Incubation Lab" context and emphasis on "rapid concept development," "proof-of-concept," and "prototyping" necessitate a structured, almost operational approach to innovation. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate how they manage the "process" of design innovation, not just the creative output. This includes managing project lifecycles, stakeholder alignment, and delivering tangible outputs that can be evaluated for business potential, similar to how operations professionals manage GTM initiatives.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $141,000 - $246,400 annually.

Benefits:

• Company Bonus: Eligibility for a company bonus, contingent on company and individual performance.
• Retirement: Company-sponsored 401(k) and pension plan.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation benefits, along with other time off and leave of absence benefits.
• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits.
• Financial Flexibility: Eligibility for flexible benefits, such as healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts.
• Insurance: Life insurance and death benefits.
• Well-being Programs: Access to employee assistance programs, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities.

Working Hours:

• The standard role is full-time, equating to approximately 40 hours per week. While specific daily schedules may vary, the emphasis on innovation and rapid development suggests a dynamic work environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: The provided salary range is competitive for a Design Director role in Indianapolis, reflecting the seniority and specialized nature of the position. The comprehensive benefits package is standard for a large pharmaceutical company like Lilly. For operations roles, understanding the structure of bonuses (performance-based) and the breadth of benefits is crucial for overall compensation assessment. The "fixed-term" nature of the role might influence how some benefits are applied or prorated, which is worth clarifying during the application process.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Pharmaceutical and Healthcare. Lilly operates within a highly regulated industry, emphasizing scientific rigor, patient well-being, and ethical practices. This context shapes the approach to innovation, design, and product development, requiring a deep understanding of user needs within specific health contexts. Company Size: Large enterprise, with a significant global presence (indicated by "global healthcare leader," and "employees around the world"). This implies established processes, cross-functional teams, and opportunities for large-scale impact. Founded: While the founding date isn't explicitly stated, Lilly is a long-established company, suggesting a rich history and a stable corporate environment that is now actively pursuing digital transformation.

Team Structure:

• The UX team operates as an "enterprise internal digital experience design service team," functioning like an agency with a focus on user experience research, digital design, and digital accessibility.
• This Design Director role is specifically within the "Incubation Lab," a dedicated design and technology team focused on innovation and rapid concept development.
• Collaboration is expected with leaders across various business units and partner functions to define strategic "big bets" and transformative experiences.

Methodology:

• User-Centered Design: A core tenet, emphasized by the "human-centered design" approach and the focus on user needs.
• Rapid Prototyping & Proof-of-Concept: The Incubation Lab's function is to quickly test and validate new ideas.
• Design System: Lilly hosts a "world-class design system" to ensure consistency, accessibility, and efficiency in product creation.
• Data-Driven Insights: The role requires generating "insightful, powerful research findings" to inform design and innovation.

Company Website: https://careers.lilly.com/us/en

📝 Enhancement Note: Lilly's positioning as a global healthcare leader undergoing digital transformation is key. The operations aspect of this role lies in streamlining the innovation pipeline, from concept to validated prototype. The emphasis on a "world-class design system" and "digital accessibility" hints at an operational framework for design that prioritizes scalability and compliance.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Senior Leadership / Director Level within a specialized function (Design Innovation). This role sits at the intersection of creative strategy and tangible product development, requiring a blend of visionary thinking and practical execution. The "FDE" designation might imply a "Fixed-Term Employee" status, which is crucial for understanding career trajectory.

Reporting Structure: While not explicitly stated, a Design Director typically reports to a higher-level design leader (e.g., VP of Design, Head of UX) or a lead within the Incubation Lab. They will manage a team of designers and collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and business stakeholders.

Operations Impact: The Design Director's impact is measured by the successful ideation, prototyping, and validation of new digital experiences that can potentially become core products or services for Lilly. This directly influences the company's ability to innovate, improve patient outcomes, and enhance employee productivity through technology, aligning with GTM objectives by shaping future market offerings.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Development: Opportunity to lead and scale an innovation practice within a major pharmaceutical company.
• Strategic Influence: Shape the future of digital experiences at Lilly, influencing product roadmaps and technology investments.
• Specialization: Deepen expertise in human-centered design within the complex healthcare/pharma sector.
• Cross-Functional Acumen: Develop strong working relationships and strategic understanding across R&D, commercial, and IT functions.
• Potential for Full-Time Transition: While this is a fixed-term role, successful performance could lead to permanent opportunities within Lilly's expanding digital and innovation teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "fixed-term" nature (up to 4 years) is a significant factor. While it offers opportunities for intense, project-focused work and rapid impact, candidates should clarify the potential for extension or conversion to a permanent role. The growth is likely in specialized project leadership and strategic design influence rather than traditional hierarchical advancement within this specific fixed term.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: On-site in Indianapolis, Indiana. This suggests a traditional corporate office environment with dedicated workspaces. Office Location(s): Indianapolis, Indiana. Lilly's headquarters are in Indianapolis, indicating a central hub for operations and potential for significant internal collaboration.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: The role requires close work with internal and external design collaborators, stakeholders, and cross-functional teams. The Incubation Lab environment likely fosters a dynamic and interactive setting for brainstorming and rapid iteration.
• Tools and Technology: Access to industry-standard design software, prototyping tools, and Lilly's design system resources. The role also implies familiarity with modern front-end development concepts.
• Team Interaction: Frequent interaction with a dedicated team of designers, as well as product managers, engineers, researchers, and business leaders across the organization.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time (approx. 40 hours/week). The nature of innovation and rapid development may involve periods of intense work to meet project milestones, but overall flexibility within the standard framework is expected.

📝 Enhancement Note: The on-site requirement in Indianapolis is crucial for candidates. The description of the "Incubation Lab" suggests an environment that balances structured processes with creative freedom and rapid iteration, which is characteristic of innovation hubs within larger organizations.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Likely a review of resume and portfolio, followed by a brief call with a recruiter to assess basic qualifications and cultural fit.
• Portfolio Review & Design Challenge: Candidates will present their portfolio, focusing on relevant projects and their leadership/mentorship experience. A design challenge or case study may be presented, requiring candidates to articulate their approach to a complex, ambiguous problem relevant to Lilly's domain.
• Stakeholder Interviews: Interviews with key cross-functional leaders (e.g., Product Management, Engineering, Business Unit leads) to assess collaboration, strategic thinking, and ability to influence.
• Leadership Interview: Meeting with senior design or Incubation Lab leadership to discuss strategic vision, team management philosophy, and overall fit for the role and company culture.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your leadership, innovation, and impact in human-centered design, particularly in complex or regulated environments.
• Focus on Process & Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your strategic approach, the design process followed (user research, ideation, prototyping, testing), your specific contributions, and the measurable outcomes or business impact.
• Highlight Leadership: If possible, include examples of how you mentored designers, improved design processes, or influenced strategic direction.
• Tell a Story: Structure your presentation to tell a cohesive story, demonstrating your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Prepare for Ambiguity: Be ready to discuss how you handle undefined problems and drive clarity through design thinking and user research.

Challenge Preparation:

• Understand Lilly's Domain: Research Lilly's therapeutic areas, current initiatives, and the healthcare industry's challenges.
• Embrace Ambiguity: The challenge will likely be open-ended. Focus on your problem-framing, user-centric approach, and iterative ideation process rather than a single "perfect" solution.
• Articulate Your Thought Process: Clearly explain your reasoning, assumptions, and how you would gather information and test hypotheses.
• Demonstrate Collaboration: Show how you would involve stakeholders and incorporate feedback throughout the process.
• Focus on User Value: Always tie your solutions back to tangible benefits for the end-user (patient, caregiver, employee).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will heavily rely on assessing both design craft and leadership/strategic capabilities. Operations candidates should frame their experience in terms of project management, stakeholder alignment, process optimization, and driving measurable outcomes to demonstrate transferable skills. The portfolio is critical for showcasing the operationalization of design thinking.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping Software: Figma, Sketch, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, XD), InVision, Axure.
• User Research Platforms: UserTesting.com, Lookback, Dovetail, Qualtrics.
• Design System Management: Experience with or contribution to design systems (e.g., Storybook, Zeroheight), leveraging Lilly's internal system.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly managing analytics, understanding how design impacts user behavior and business metrics is key. Familiarity with web analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics) and dashboarding tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) for understanding user engagement and conversion rates can be beneficial.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to core design responsibilities, but understanding how digital experiences integrate with broader customer journeys and backend systems is advantageous. Familiarity with how user data flows through CRMs or marketing automation platforms could be relevant for understanding the broader ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis is on design and prototyping tools. However, for operations-minded candidates, highlighting any experience with analytics tools that measure user engagement or the impact of digital initiatives will be valuable. Understanding how design choices translate into measurable business outcomes through data is a key operational consideration.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Caring & Discovery: Lilly's core purpose of uniting caring with discovery to make life better. This translates to empathy for users and a drive for meaningful innovation.
• Excellence: Setting and upholding a high bar for design craft, strategic thinking, and execution.
• Innovation & Experimentation: Championing bold thinking and challenging teams to explore new possibilities.
• Collaboration: Fostering strong relationships with cross-functional teams, partners, and stakeholders.
• User-Centricity: A deep empathy for user needs that drives the creation of better experiences and products.
• Data-Driven Insights: Generating and leveraging research findings to inform decisions and validate concepts.

Collaboration Style:

• Agency-like: The UX team operates like an internal agency, suggesting a service-oriented approach with clear deliverables and client-partner relationships.
• Cross-Functional Integration: Close partnership with leaders across the organization, including R&D, commercial, and IT, to align on strategic goals and product development.
• Mentorship & Critique: A culture of providing and receiving constructive feedback to elevate design quality and foster talent development.
• Shared Ownership: Encouraging a collective responsibility for creating exceptional digital experiences.

📝 Enhancement Note: The values emphasize a blend of empathy, scientific rigor, and a forward-thinking, collaborative approach. For operations professionals, understanding how these values translate into decision-making processes, project prioritization, and team dynamics is crucial for cultural fit. The "agency-like" model implies a need for strong communication and expectation management.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Navigating Ambiguity: Working in an Incubation Lab means tackling complex, ill-defined problems with the goal of defining them through human-centered design.
• Balancing Innovation with Regulation: Operating within a highly regulated pharmaceutical industry requires balancing cutting-edge design with stringent compliance and safety requirements.
• Driving Adoption of New Ideas: Convincing stakeholders and integrating innovative concepts into established organizational structures and workflows.
• Managing a Fixed-Term Role: Ensuring maximum impact and defining success within a defined project timeline, while potentially seeking future opportunities.
• Translating Design to Business Value: Effectively demonstrating the ROI and strategic importance of design innovation to non-design stakeholders.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deep Dive into Healthcare Innovation: Gain unparalleled experience in designing digital solutions for patient and employee needs within the pharmaceutical sector.
• Advanced Design Leadership: Hone skills in leading innovation programs, mentoring talent, and influencing strategic direction at a senior level.
• Cross-Industry Best Practices: Apply and adapt design and innovation methodologies to a unique industry context.
• Exposure to Emerging Technologies: Potentially work with new technologies and approaches to digital experience development.
• Networking: Build a robust network of contacts across Lilly's diverse business units and technology functions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the need for adaptability, strategic thinking, and strong communication skills, all of which are core to operations roles. The growth opportunities focus on specialized expertise and leadership within a unique industry context.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you led a design initiative from concept to proof-of-concept. What were the key challenges, and how did you overcome them?" (Focus on your project management, stakeholder alignment, and problem-solving approach.)
• "How do you foster a culture of innovation and experimentation within a design team, especially in a regulated environment?" (Highlight your leadership style, mentorship strategies, and ability to balance creativity with constraints.)
• "Walk us through a complex problem you helped solve for a user. What was your process, and what was the ultimate impact?" (Demonstrate your user-centricity, analytical skills, and ability to articulate value.)
• "How do you ensure digital accessibility and user-centricity are integrated into the design process from the outset?" (Showcase your understanding of best practices and operationalizing these principles.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to Lilly and our mission to make life better for people around the world?" (Research Lilly's purpose, therapeutic areas, and recent innovations.)
• "How would you foster collaboration between design, product, and engineering teams in an innovation lab setting?" (Discuss your communication style, experience with agile/lean methodologies, and ability to build consensus.)
• "What are your thoughts on Lilly's commitment to digital transformation and user-centered design?" (Show your understanding of the company's strategic direction and how design plays a role.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Begin with a concise overview of your leadership philosophy and approach to innovation.
• Highlight Key Projects: Select 3-5 projects that best represent your leadership, problem-solving, and impact. For each, clearly state:
  • The Problem/Opportunity
  • Your Role & Responsibilities
  • The Design Process & Key Decisions
  • The Solution/Outcome
  • The Measurable Impact (e.g., user adoption, efficiency gains, business value)
• Emphasize Operations: Frame your contributions in terms of project management, process optimization, stakeholder alignment, and delivering tangible results.
• Prepare for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your decision-making, handling of challenges, and how you measure success.
• Showcase Leadership: Clearly articulate how you mentored your team and contributed to elevating the overall design craft and strategic thinking.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations candidates, emphasize project management, cross-functional collaboration, process definition, and outcome measurement in your answers. Frame your design leadership experience through the lens of operationalizing innovation.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Design Director position:

• Submit Your Application: Complete the online application through the Lilly Careers portal.
• Portfolio Preparation: Curate a portfolio that highlights your leadership in human-centered design, innovation, and delivering impactful digital experiences, with a focus on complex or regulated industries. Ensure your portfolio clearly articulates your process, role, and measurable outcomes.
• Resume Optimization: Tailor your resume to emphasize leadership experience, project management skills, cross-functional collaboration, and achievements in driving innovation and design excellence. Use keywords from the job description.
• Interview Practice: Prepare to discuss your portfolio in detail, articulate your design strategy and leadership philosophy, and answer behavioral questions related to problem-solving, collaboration, and innovation. Practice presenting case studies that demonstrate your operational approach to design challenges.
• Company Research: Thoroughly research Lilly's mission, values, therapeutic areas, and digital transformation initiatives. Understand the company's culture and how your leadership style aligns with their objectives.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions. The "FDE" designation may indicate a fixed-term employment position, which is important to clarify during the application process.