Art Director

Orrganization 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.

As Lilly's in-house agency, Thread Collective (TC), we fuse 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 deliver human-centric experiences that build trust, deepen understanding, and measurable outcomes. Together, we push past “good enough” to achieve creative excellence and operational agility. If you are driven to raise the bar every day, join us as we redefine what a best-in-class in-house agency can do.

Thread Collective, our in-house agency, is elevating creative excellence through sharp ideation, strategic rigor, operational craft, emerging technology, and empowered teams. We’re seeking an agency-experienced Art Director to transform strategy and briefs into distinctive, inclusive, multi-channel campaigns that command attention and drive relevant engagement. In this role, you’ll shape high-impact digital-first integrated campaigns by supporting concepting, presentations, and execution in close partnership with writers, designers, social, and cross-functional teams. Your bold work will resonate across channels to elevate our presence in the market, set a refined creative standard, bring ambitious ideas to life, and strengthen how audiences experience and connect with our brands.

• Creative Expert & Visual Storyteller — Innovative designer with a strong portfolio demonstrating expertise in concepting and implementing high-impact work across digital and print channels, with deep knowledge of design principles, layout, typography, brand standards, and advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite.

• Collaborative Leader & Communicator — Confident, cross-functional partner who unifies teams, works downward and across TC staff to ensure cohesive storytelling, and can clearly articulate creative concepts and incorporate collaborator feedback.

• Quality-Driven Brand Steward — Meticulous professional who ensures consistency, quality, and brand alignment in every deliverable, with a commitment to inclusive and accessible practices across all formats.

• Hands-On Campaign Builder — Thrives on developing and delivering visual concepts and campaigns from concept through final production across multiple brands and channels.

• Concept & Execute Across Channels — Develop and implement integrated campaign concepts across digital, social, video, print, and experiential platforms, translating strategic briefs into distinctive, brand-aligned creative for diverse audiences.

• Collaborate & Communicate — Partner with copywriters, designers, cross-functional teams and agency partners to build cohesive storytelling, present ideas confidently, and incorporate feedback effectively.

• Champion Brand & Accessibility Standards — Ensure deliverables adhere to brand guidelines, accessibility requirements, and regulatory standards while advocating for inclusive design across all formats.

• Advance Systems & Emerging Technology — Evolve design systems, creative platforms, technologies and tools to improve consistency, streamline workstreams, and create more space for high-value creative thinking.

• Mentor, Optimize & Elevate the Work — Stay current on trends and audience behaviors, mentor talent, and chip in to a culture of creative excellence and continuous improvement through thoughtful reviews and shared findings.

• Bachelor’s degree

• 10+ years of experience as an Art Director for both digital and traditional channels.

• 6+ years in traditional agency setting leading concepting, pitches, and creative development from initial strategy through final execution.

• Link to portfolio required

• 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 or visas for this role, including but not limited to F-1 CPT, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, E-3, H-1B1, or L-1.

• Robust portfolio supporting recognized global brands showing range, craft, and strategic thinking across digital and print channels, and campaign types.

• Deep technical expertise in Adobe Creative Suite with strong written and verbal communication skills across all organizational levels.

• Proven ability to manage capacity, diagnose process and technology challenges, and drive solutions through structured project planning.

• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare marketing is a plus but not required.

• Agency experience supporting global brands across multi-channel campaigns, with understanding of healthcare audiences and compliance-driven review processes.

• Command of creative development, social and digital marketing, brand strategy, and omnichannel strategy with a collaborative, ego-free leadership style.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, Workfront, and Agile or Waterfall project workflows.

• Ability to support end-to-end video oversight from storyboard, direction, and production review.

• Commitment to ongoing professional development, industry standard methodologies, and any skills assessments required during selection.

• Position is on-site in Indianapolis; local hybrid work options may be considered.

• Relocation package provided. Travel up to 15% expected.