Associate Vice President - Pension Benefit Investments

Company: Eli Lilly and Company
Location: Indianapolis
Posted on: July 16, 2025

Job Description:

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. At Lilly, we believe in the talent of our workforce. One of the best ways to utilize and develop that talent is to use our existing workforce to fill new and/or open positions. If you are looking for a new position within Lilly, you can view and apply to open roles posted in the internal job posting system. You must meet the minimum qualifications outlined in the job description and have/obtain work authorization in the country the position is located in order to be considered. When applying internally for a position, your current supervisor will receive notification that you have applied to the position. We encourage employees to discuss the opportunity with their supervisor prior to applying. Position Description: This professional position is in the Pension Benefit Investments Team within Global Treasury. Reporting to the Treasurer, the Chief Investment Officer leads a team of ten professionals, and is responsible for the development, design, and implementation of all investment matters, including policy, strategy, objectives, analyses, accounting, operations, compliance, risk parameters, performance benchmarks and investment reporting for all U.S. and Puerto Rico employee benefit assets. The team is also responsible for the regulatory strategy, management, monitoring, financial statement generation, external financial reporting, audits, regulatory reporting, and tax filings for the nine benefit plans managed by the team. The team currently manages greater than $25 billion in a complex multi asset portfolio and related exposures, and more than $10 billion in retirement benefit plan liabilities. Major Responsibilities Include: Investment Strategy & Portfolio Management Lead investment strategy development for $25 billion in assets across open defined benefit, defined contribution, and health & welfare plans, ensuring alignment with enterprise objectives and participant needs Drive portfolio construction and asset allocation decisions across public equity, fixed income, alternatives (hedge funds, private equity, real estate, infrastructure), and derivatives, optimizing risk-adjusted returns within policy constraints Oversee more than 50 external investment managers with a high number of mandates including sourcing, due diligence, selection, monitoring, and termination decisions to maintain best-in-class partnerships Champion alternative investment program (multi-billion dollar alternative portfolio), directly leading manager selection, portfolio construction, and performance attribution Implement dynamic risk management frameworks including stress testing, scenario analysis, and tactical positioning to navigate market volatility and protect capital Leadership & Organizational Development Build and develop high-performing team of 10 professionals across front, middle, and back-office functions, fostering accountability, innovation, and continuous learning Create comprehensive succession planning framework to ensure leadership continuity and develop next-generation investment talent Drive digital transformation initiatives leveraging AI/ML, data analytics, and automation to enhance investment decision-making and operational efficiency Cross functional partnership and leadership with other finance and treasury leaders for broader corporate and functional initiatives Stakeholder Management & Governance Partner with executives and Board of Directors as trusted advisor on investment matters, including regular Fund Advisory Committee meetings and annual Board presentations Ensure regulatory compliance and fiduciary excellence across ERISA, DOL, and SEC requirements, maintaining robust control environment and governance frameworks Lead strategic partnerships with HR Benefits, CFO, Legal, and Treasury to align investment strategy with corporate objectives and participant outcomes Manage external relationships with consultants, custodians, actuaries, and more than a dozen third-party service providers, ensuring competitive pricing and service excellence Liability Management & Risk Mitigation Direct integrated asset-liability management strategy for $10 billion in retirement obligations, optimizing funded status while managing contribution volatility Oversee actuarial assumption development for both GAAP and regulatory reporting, ensuring alignment with business planning and demographic trends Execute liability-driven investment strategies including duration management, interest rate hedging, and cash flow matching to reduce funded status volatility Performance & Financial Management Deliver superior risk-adjusted returns across all asset classes while maintaining appropriate risk parameters and fiduciary standards Own financial reporting and compliance for 9 benefit plans including GAAP accounting, regulatory filings (5500s), audit coordination, and tax compliance Drive cost optimization initiatives across investment management fees, administrative expenses, and operational costs to maximize net returns Implement comprehensive performance attribution and risk analytics to inform decision-making and demonstrate value creation Innovation & Strategic Initiatives Evaluate emerging investment opportunities in areas such as digital assets, infrastructure, and thematic investing to enhance portfolio diversification Develop thought leadership through industry engagement, conference participation, and peer collaboration Drive cross-functional initiatives including M&A integration support, global affiliate advisory services, and enterprise risk management collaboration Technology & Data Leadership Oversee investment technology strategy including system selection, data architecture, and cybersecurity protocols to ensure scalable infrastructure Leverage advanced analytics and machine learning applications for portfolio optimization, risk modeling, and investment insights Ensure data governance and quality standards across investment platforms, supporting real-time decision-making and regulatory compliance Basic Requirements: Graduate degree or MBA in Finance, Economics, or Investments from accredited institution and/or Advanced investment certifications (CFA, CAIA, or equivalent) Minimum 10 years of institutional investment experience directly managing/allocating and overseeing a team managing large pools of assets including alternative investments or 10 years of equivalent senior financial experience with demonstrated complex financial decision making Extensive experience interfacing with money management organizations and supporting service providers (trustees, custodians, consultants, advisors, counsel) Strong corporate finance analytical background/skills/aptitude to evaluate risk/benefit/cost across investment structures, derivatives, and portfolio construction options Knowledge of ERISA and the requirements of acting in a fiduciary capacity Experienced managerial skills in recruitment, engagement, and development of financial talent Excellent oral and written communication skills to build credibility and trust, maintain voice, and transparently update stakeholders and partners on issues, opportunities, and results Ability to collaborate and manage relationships with individuals at all levels and functions both inside and outside of the organization Enthusiastic and proactive individual with a history of curiosity and constant learning, seeking how to add value and deliver superior results to an organization Highest ethical standards , consistent with ERISA fiduciary requirements and Lilly's Values Additional Skills/Preferences Additional Financial/Actuarial certifications valued (CPA, FRM, etc) Strong preference for ERISA fiduciary experience and acting in fiduciary capacity Experience with monitoring and/or management of defined benefit, defined contribution, and/or health & welfare plan assets and liabilities Knowledge of actuarial concepts and how they apply to pension funding and asset allocation decisions Capital market experience (banking, cash management, liquidity management, capital structure) A leader who empowers the team to perform independently, speak up, and mobilizes others to initiate change Technology and data analytics capabilities including experience with AI/ML applications in investment management, proficiency in programming languages (Python, R, SQL), and ability to leverage advanced analytics Well organized and strong multi-tasker Strong project management skills to develop detailed plans, direct internal resources (HR/Legal/Corp Reporting/Audit) and external parties, manage costs/risks, develop/deliver communication plans, and evaluate effectiveness Third party relationship management , due diligence, negotiation, and contracting expertise Learning agility to interpret new accounting, regulatory, and market changes and evaluate risks Other Information: (Shift, travel, environmental, etc.) Moderate (20-25%) travel is likely. Lilly is dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities to actively engage in the workforce, ensuring equal opportunities when vying for positions. If you require accommodation to submit a resume for a position at Lilly, please complete the accommodation request form ( https://careers.lilly.com/us/en/workplace-accommodation ) for further assistance. Please note this is for individuals to request an accommodation as part of the application process and any other correspondence will not receive a response. 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. Actual compensation will depend on a candidate’s education, experience, skills, and geographic location. The anticipated wage for this position is $222,000 - $325,600 Full-time equivalent employees also will be eligible for a company bonus (depending, in part, on company and individual performance). In addition, Lilly offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees, including eligibility to participate in a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; eligibility for medical, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits (e.g., healthcare and/or dependent day care flexible spending accounts); life insurance and death benefits; certain time off and leave of absence benefits; and well-being benefits (e.g., employee assistance program, fitness benefits, and employee clubs and activities).Lilly reserves the right to amend, modify, or terminate its compensation and benefit programs in its sole discretion and Lilly’s compensation practices and guidelines will apply regarding the details of any promotion or transfer of Lilly employees. WeAreLilly

Keywords: Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis , Associate Vice President - Pension Benefit Investments, Accounting, Auditing , Indianapolis, Indiana