[Hiring] Associate Director - Legal eDiscovery @Eli Lilly and Company

Role Description

We are seeking an Associate Director of eDiscovery to join our eDiscovery and Legal Operations team within the Legal department. This role is pivotal in supporting and advancing Lilly's eDiscovery capabilities across the entire Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM) spectrum—from information governance, identification, preservation, collection, processing, review, analysis, production, and presentation.

The ideal candidate will possess deep technical expertise in eDiscovery tools and technologies, hands-on experience with data collection from numerous sophisticated enterprise systems, and a forward-thinking approach that leverages artificial intelligence and automation to drive operational excellence. They will be responsible for contributing to the strategic vision of Lilly’s eDiscovery program while ensuring day-to-day execution meets the highest standards of quality and defensibility.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage eDiscovery SOPs and workflows across the EDRM spectrum, ensuring best practices, defensibility, and efficiency at each stage.
• Partner with various business areas on processes to preserve data per legal hold requirements, including automated workflows and guidance on evolving technologies, data migrations, and system retirements.
• Develop and manage data collection processes from various enterprise systems and data sources/lakes, ensuring proper metadata overlays as needed and chain-of-custody documentation.
• Manage acquisition integration, including legal holds, data collection, and data migration into Lilly’s systems.
• Provide eDiscovery guidance to business and technology teams regarding preservation of data and defensible collection processes.
• Oversee processing, hosting, and review platforms and workflows.
• Evaluate and implement eDiscovery tools and technologies to enhance operational capabilities and efficiencies, including automated workflows and data collection.
• Drive adoption of AI and machine learning solutions, including technology-assisted review, predictive coding, advanced analytics, and AI.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends to inform strategic direction.
• Contribute to the strategic vision and roadmap for Lilly's eDiscovery program.
• Manage eDiscovery vendors, with a focus on evolving technology to inform the roadmap.
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering growth and technical expertise.
• Effectively collaborate to drive solutions with cross-functional teams including Legal, Privacy, Records Management, Information Technology, Compliance, Security, and various Business Units.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a discipline related to information systems, computer science, information management, legal studies, or related field.
• 8 years of experience in eDiscovery operations or legal technology with hands-on experience managing eDiscovery tools and platforms across the EDRM lifecycle.
• Qualified applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Additional Skills/Preferences

• ACEDS certification in eDiscovery.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to help define strategy and drive innovation.
• Knowledge of eDiscovery requirements and evolving case law.
• Experience with data collection from complex enterprise databases with metadata overlay mapping requirements.
• Experience in defining litigation eDiscovery strategy and tactics in complex, multi-national matters.
• Expertise with eDiscovery platforms for data preservation, collection, culling, processing, review, and production.
• Process improvement, innovation, and automation skills and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to define and drive solutions that impact global eDiscovery processes.
• Demonstrated ability to anticipate and work to avoid problems.
• Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills and the ability to effectively communicate and resolve complex issues.
• Demonstrated ability to assess and manage risk in a highly complex environment.
• Sound judgment and a meticulous level of attention to detail.
• Demonstrated strong written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Demonstrated effective teamwork skills with the ability to effectively lead or actively participate in cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable operating with a sense of urgency and ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment.

Benefits

• Anticipated wage for this position is $127,500 - $204,600.
• Eligible for a company bonus based on company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive benefit program including eligibility for a company-sponsored 401(k); pension; vacation benefits; medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits; flexible benefits; life insurance; and well-being benefits.