Head of UX Research

About Lilly

At Lilly, we unite caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We are a global healthcare leader headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. Our employees around the world work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to our communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. We give our best effort to our work, and we put people first. We’re looking for people who are determined to make life better for people around the world.

Eli Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to create medicines that make life better for people around the world. We’re leveraging cutting-edge technologies and innovative platforms to develop next-generation therapeutic ecosystems, connected devices, data, and analytics to transform patient experiences and improve treatment outcomes.

As a member of Design at Lilly, you'll be at the forefront of Eli Lilly’s commitment to crafting intuitive, accessible, and impactful digital experiences. We work across all functions of the organization, applying research and design thinking to solve complex challenges and create high-quality digital solutions that improve the lives of patients who use our medications. Our team combines user insight with design expertise to ensure the human element is at the core of our digital solutions.

About the Role

We’re looking for a hands-on leader to build and elevate our UX Research practice. As Head of UX Research, you’ll lead a team of talented researchers, champion evidence-based decision-making, and ensure that user insight is central to the development of digital products and services across Lilly. You’ll collaborate closely with design, product, engineering, and business stakeholders to shape strategy, uncover opportunities, and deliver meaningful, measurable impact. This role blends strategic leadership with occasional hands-on research — perfect for someone who wants to guide a growing practice while staying connected to the craft.

What You’ll Do

Lead with Purpose

• Inspire and communicate a compelling vision for UX Research aligned with the broader mission of the organization.

Grow and Develop the Team

• Mentor, manage, and scale a team of researchers; foster a culture of curiosity, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Identify and address organizational or process gaps that limit team effectiveness or growth.

Ensure Research Excellence

• Oversee a portfolio of research projects spanning exploratory, evaluative, qualitative, and quantitative methods.
• Champion high-quality, rigorous research practices that drive clarity and confidence in product decisions.

Shape the Research Strategy

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to proactively identify areas where research can unlock value.
• Translate strategic business questions into actionable research plans and frameworks.

Model Inclusive, Thoughtful Leadership

• Lead by example through inclusive, thoughtful, and ethical approaches to research and people leadership.
• Encourage diverse perspectives and ensure equitable practices in both team operations and research design.

What We’re Looking For

• Deep expertise in leading and executing both qualitative and quantitative research end-to-end (design, recruitment, analysis, and synthesis).
• Proven track record of translating research into insights that influence product and business outcomes.
• Experience building research strategy and integrating it into broader product or business roadmaps.
• Adept at working with cross-functional partners—including product, design, engineering, data science, legal, regulatory, and medical affairs.

Basic Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (e.g., HCI, Psychology, Anthropology) or equivalent professional experience.
• 10+ years of experience conducting UX research with a strong emphasis on digital products and services.
• 5+ years of experience managing, mentoring, or coaching UX r