Director, Marketing - Rare Disease

About Acadia Pharmaceuticals

Acadia is committed to turning scientific promise into meaningful innovation that makes the difference for underserved neurological and rare disease communities around the world. Our commercial portfolio includes the first and only FDA-approved treatments for Parkinson's disease psychosis and Rett syndrome. We are developing the next wave of therapeutic advancements with a robust and diverse pipeline that includes mid- to late-stage programs in Alzheimer's disease psychosis and Lewy body dementia psychosis, along with earlier-stage programs that address other underserved patient needs. At Acadia, we're here to be their difference.

Please note that this position is based in Princeton, NJ or San Diego, CA. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.

Position Summary:

The Director, Marketing will contribute to the development of the overall Consumer strategy of the brand while leading the management and execution of marketing tactics, plans and activities to promote the brand to caregivers. This role is responsible for shaping patient and caregiver messaging across channels, including direct-to-consumer (DTC) television advertising and educational materials, while ensuring alignment with brand strategy, regulatory standards, and patient-centric principles. The Director will deliver impactful communications that meaningfully engage the caregiver community, and will play a key leadership role within the consumer marketing team. This role will partner across key stakeholders (advocacy, medical affairs, regulatory, legal, compliance, patient services, market access, marketing operations, training, sales, etc.) to execute the programs and tactics identified in the brand plan.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of consumer and caregiver marketing initiatives, including core messaging, direct-to-consumer (DTC) television advertising, and educational materials designed to inform, support, and empower families within the Rett community.
• Oversee the caregiver speaker program, including speaker identification, onboarding, and management; development of compliant, engaging speaker content; and ongoing evaluation and optimization of program effectiveness.
• Ensure caregiver speaker materials and presentations are scientifically accurate, compliant, and aligned with brand strategy, with a strong emphasis on clarity, empathy, and patient- and caregiver-focused storytelling.
• Serve as the primary marketing liaison to the Family Support Educator (FSE) team, ensuring alignment between consumer marketing initiatives and field-based educational efforts to deliver a cohesive and consistent caregiver experience.
• Directs the development of strategic marketing programs for inclusion into brand plan, determines metrics for program success, and evaluates performance against metrics including contributions to the development and evolution of message strategy based upon in-depth analytics and ROI analysis. Manages within the established the US promotions budget for assigned products.
• Represents the department as a member of cross-functional project teams providing guidance, insight, and recommendations relative to the goals and objectives of the Marketing function to ensure strategic alignment medical education messaging across groups.
• Monitors and ensures that all Medical Legal Review (MLR) processes are followed, and all programs are compliant with legal guidance and corporate policies.
• Implements the brand strategy for products and product lines. Develops and delivers presentations as needed to commercial management and other internal groups. Monitors progress of plans and recommends adjustments, as necessary.
• Develops and maintains strong external relationships with Advocacy groups, physician speakers and Rett caregivers and families.
• Mentor and develop junior team members by providing clear direction, coaching, and constructive feedback, fostering strong marketing fundamentals, professional growth, and a collaborative, high-performing team culture.Lead day-to-day collaboration with the advertising agency of record, providing strategic direction and hands-on oversight across creative development and execution to ensure consumer-facing campaigns are aligned with brand strategy, patient-centric principles, timelines, and budget.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, health care, life science; master's degree preferred.
• Targeting 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in pharmaceutical or biotech Marketing.
• 5+ years in a product manager role strongly desired.
• Launch experience and commercialization of new products preferred.

Required Skills:

• Rare Disease experience is highly desirable, with requirement of understanding specialty therapeutics addressing significant unmet medical needs.
• Strong Biopharmaceutical brand management experience and demonstrated track record of success.
• Proficient in marketing and media tactics directed towards HCPs and caregivers.
• Proficient at effectively prioritizing goals and coordinating resources to achieve those goals.
• Demonstrated ability to interface/collaborate with other departments as necessary to achieve goals.
• Significant travel required; ability to travel up to 50% of time during peak launch time periods.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, see, talk or hear in a standard office environment and independently from remote locations. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Ability to travel by car or airplane independently overnight up to 25% of the time and work after hours if required by travel schedule or business issues.

#LI-SM1 #LI-HYBRID

In addition to a competitive base salary, this position is also eligible for discretionary bonus and equity awards based on factors such as individual and organizational performance. Actual amounts will vary depending on experience, performance, and location.


Salary Range

$198,600-$248,200 USD

What we offer US-based Employees:

• Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packages
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage
• 401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in
• 15+ vacation days
• 13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st
• 10 days of paid sick time
• Paid parental leave benefit
• Tuition assistance

EEO Statement (US-based Employees): Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications in the exact way they are described in job postings. We are committed to building a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and innovative company, and we are looking for the BEST candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background or may meet the qualifications in a different way. We strongly encourage you to apply, especially if the reason you are the best candidate isn't exactly what we describe here.

It is the policy of Acadia to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and employment applicants without regard to considerations of race, including related to hairstyle, color, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender transition, country of origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, legally-protected medical condition or information, marital status, domestic partner status, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran or military status (including reserve status, National Guard status, and military service or obligation), status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, or any basis protected under federal, state or local law.

As an equal opportunity employer, Acadia is committed to a diverse workforce. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. Furthermore, you may request additional support if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access Acadia's career website due to your disability, along with any accommodations throughout the interview process. To request or inquire about your reasonable accommodation, please complete our Reasonable Accommodation Request Form or contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

Please note that reasonable accommodations granted throughout the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same accommodations given if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment.

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Notice to Search Firms/Third-Party Recruitment Agencies (Recruiters): The Talent Acquisition team manages the recruitment and employment process for Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. ("Acadia"). Acadia does not accept resumes from recruiters or search firms without an executed search agreement in place. Resumes sent to Acadia employees in the absence of an executed search agreement will not obligate Acadia in any way with respect to the future employment of those individuals or potential remuneration to any recruiter or search firm. Candidates should never be submitted directly to our hiring managers or employees.