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Eli Lilly and Company Employees Reviews, Feedback, Testimonials

PharmaceuticalsIndianapolis, United States10,001-50,000 employees
4.3
4 reviews

About Eli Lilly and Company

Eli Lilly and Company is a major global pharmaceutical firm headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, focused on developing medicines in areas such as diabetes, oncology, immunology and neuroscience. The company’s portfolio spans small molecules, biologics and innovative therapies delivered through robust clinical development and commercialization capabilities. Eli Lilly combines deep R&D investment with global manufacturing and regulatory expertise to bring new treatments to market, and it is widely regarded for its scientific rigor and commitment to patient outcomes. The organization emphasizes a collaborative research culture, offering scientists, clinicians and commercial professionals opportunities for career growth, cross-disciplinary projects and participation in clinical research. Employees often highlight structured development programs, mentorship and the chance to work on high-impact therapeutic programs. A notable detail is the company’s long history in pharmaceuticals and a track record of advancing therapies that address major medical needs. For professionals drawn to drug discovery, development or biotech commercialization, Eli Lilly provides a research-intensive environment with resources to drive innovation and improve patient care.

Detailed Eli Lilly and Company employee reviews & experience

Employee Testimonials

"I joined thinking the work would be intense, and it is — but the team support makes a big difference." You will often hear employees say this. Testimonials from current and former staff paint a picture of dedicated people doing meaningful work. Many praise the collaborative lab and clinical teams, saying you’ll find smart, mission-driven colleagues and mentors who genuinely want to help you grow. Some note bureaucracy and slow decision cycles in larger projects; others appreciate the stability and clear career pathways. Overall, the voice from the floor is positive and sincere — people like their work and the impact it has.

Company Culture

Company culture at Eli Lilly and Company centers on patient-first values, scientific rigor, and collaboration. The environment blends the startup energy of breakthrough research with the structure of an established global firm. You will notice a strong emphasis on ethics and compliance, and performance is measured against meaningful outcomes. Informal networks and cross-functional teams are common, so the culture feels both mission-driven and technically serious. Diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives are visible, and employee resource groups are active contributors to the culture.

Work-Life Balance

Work-life balance at Eli Lilly and Company varies by role and team. In laboratory and clinical development roles, you will sometimes face long sprints and tight timelines, while corporate and administrative functions often enjoy more regular hours and hybrid flexibility. Many employees report that managers are understanding of personal needs and that flexible schedules and PTO are respected. If you value predictable hours, research or manufacturing roles may be more demanding than office-based positions.

Job Security

Job security at Eli Lilly and Company is generally strong. The company operates in a regulated, essential industry with steady demand for innovative medicines, which tends to buffer against large-scale instability. There are periodic restructures and role eliminations like in any large corporation, but these are usually targeted rather than broad. The company’s financial health and long-term product pipeline create a reasonable expectation of stability for most employees.

Leadership and Management

Leadership is frequently described as competent, mission-focused, and invested in long-term strategy. Senior leaders are visible in town halls and communications, and they articulate clear priorities around research, patient outcomes, and commercial growth. Management styles lower in the hierarchy can vary widely; some managers are highly supportive and transparent, while others are more process-driven. There is an emphasis on leadership development programs, which indicate a commitment to cultivating internal talent.

Manager Reviews

Manager reviews are mixed but tilt positive. Employees often highlight managers who act as coaches and advocates, providing feedback and sponsorship for promotions. Where issues arise, they typically relate to variability in engagement — some managers prioritize metrics and process more than team development. Performance reviews are formalized and linked to compensation, and many employees feel that strong managers make a noticeable difference in daily experience.

Learning & Development

There is a robust learning and development ecosystem. Employees will find structured onboarding, technical training, leadership courses, and tuition assistance. Scientific staff have access to specialized seminars and conferences, while non-technical teams benefit from business and project management training. Career development conversations are encouraged, and mentoring programs are available. Investment in continuous learning is a clear organizational priority.

Opportunities for Promotions

Promotion opportunities exist and are often tied to demonstrated impact, cross-functional experience, and visibility in strategic projects. Career ladders are defined, especially in scientific and commercial tracks, which helps employees plan growth. Progression can be competitive in high-demand areas, and mobility across functions or geographies is possible for those who seek it.

Salary Ranges

Salary ranges are competitive with industry standards. Approximate ranges by role (these are indicative and vary by location and experience):

  • Research Scientist: $80,000–$140,000
  • Clinical/Regulatory Specialist: $75,000–$130,000
  • Manufacturing/Operations: $60,000–$120,000
  • Sales/Account Executive: $70,000–$150,000 (base plus commission)
  • Senior Leadership: $180,000–$500,000+ Salaries are typically complemented by bonuses and equity, and total compensation reflects both market position and individual performance.

Bonuses & Incentives

Bonuses and incentives are standard and linked to performance metrics. There are annual performance bonuses, site and business-unit incentives, and long-term incentives such as stock awards or restricted stock units for higher-level roles. Sales roles have commission structures on top of base pay. Performance transparency varies, but most employees find the bonus framework fair and aligned with company results.

Health and Insurance Benefits

Health and insurance benefits are comprehensive. Employees will find medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs). Mental health resources, employee assistance programs, and family planning benefits are included in many packages. Coverage quality is typically rated highly by employees, and benefits are seen as a strong part of the total compensation package.

Employee Engagement and Events

Employee engagement is active and frequent. The company runs town halls, site celebrations, volunteer days, and science symposia. Employee resource groups host cultural events and networking opportunities. Community engagement and philanthropic programs are highlighted, and many employees appreciate the chance to participate in volunteering and awareness campaigns.

Remote Work Support

Remote work support is solid but role-dependent. Corporate and many administrative roles operate on hybrid schedules with clear policies and tools for collaboration. Research, manufacturing, and lab roles require on-site presence, so remote options are limited. The company provides collaboration tools, stipends for home office setups in eligible roles, and guidance for hybrid work.

Average Working Hours

Average working hours vary by function but generally center around a 40-hour workweek for most office roles. Project-driven periods and research deadlines can push hours into the 45–50 range temporarily. Shift work exists in manufacturing operations, which may include nights and weekends depending on process needs.

Attrition Rate & Layoff History

Attrition rates are moderate and typically lower than average for fast-changing tech sectors. The company has seen targeted workforce adjustments at times, but there is no frequent history of mass layoffs. Attrition is driven more by career moves and life changes than by broad organizational instability.

Overall Company Rating

Overall, the company earns a strong rating of 4.2 out of 5. Strengths include meaningful work, strong benefits, professional development, and relative job security. Areas for improvement include variability in manager experience and some bureaucratic pacing in cross-functional projects. For those seeking purposeful work and solid long-term prospects, working at Eli Lilly and Company is a compelling choice — especially if you value a mission-driven culture and professional growth.

Detailed Employee Ratings

4
Work-Life Balance
4.3
Compensation
4.3
Company Culture
4.8
Career Growth
4.5
Job Security

Filter Reviews

4 reviews found

Employee Reviews (4)

Read authentic experiences from current and former employees at Eli Lilly and Company

4.0

Software Engineer II Review

Information TechnologyFull-timeRemote
August 21, 2025

What I liked

Flexible remote policy, good compensation, modern tech stack and lots of learning resources. Managers give autonomy and support training.

Areas for improvement

Decision-making can be slow due to compliance and matrixed teams; lots of meetings across time zones.

4.0

Manufacturing Technician Review

Manufacturing & OperationsFull-timeOn-site
May 4, 2025

What I liked

Strong emphasis on safety, predictable benefits, and steady overtime pay. Team is tight and leaders care about on-the-floor wellbeing.

Areas for improvement

Rotating shifts make work-life balance hard sometimes and promotion cadence can be slow compared to tech companies.

4.0

Clinical Project Manager Review

Clinical OperationsContractHybrid
April 2, 2025

What I liked

Meaningful work running global studies, very good training programs and exposure to senior leaders. Benefits and learning opportunities were strong while I worked there.

Areas for improvement

Closeouts and study timelines can mean long hours; stakeholder pressure is real and my contract ended sooner than I expected.

5.0

Senior Research Scientist Review

Research & DevelopmentFull-timeHybrid
February 13, 2025

What I liked

Strong focus on patient-first science, excellent benefits, and real investment in career development. Mentors are supportive and cross-team collaboration is encouraged at Eli Lilly.

Areas for improvement

Can be bureaucratic at times due to regulatory requirements; internal approvals slow down small projects.