A method, apparatus, and program product perform lift optimization in a field with a plurality of wells, with each well including an artificial lift mechanism controlled by an associated well controller. In a central controller, a network simulation model functioning as a proxy of the field is accessed to determine an optimal allocation solution for the field, and a well-specific control signal is generated for each of the plurality of wells based upon the determined optimal allocation solution. The well-specific control signal for each of the plurality of wells is communicated to the associated well controller to cause the associated well controller to control a lift parameter associated with the artificial lift mechanism for the well.