Senior Director, Clinical Development

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 can be based in San Diego, CA; Princeton, NJ; San Francisco, CA. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office an average of 3 days per week.

Position Summary

Join Acadia as a Senior Director, Clinical Development and play a key leadership role in advancing innovative therapies for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. In this position, you will provide scientific and medical leadership across clinical development programs, guiding strategy, study execution, and regulatory interactions. You will partner with investigators, key opinion leaders, and cross-functional teams to drive the successful development of innovative CNS therapies. This is an exciting opportunity to influence programs from development through lifecycle management while helping address significant unmet patient needs.

Primary Responsibilities

• Create and execute global clinical development plans consistent with the Company’s strategic vision and mission
• Ensure the optimal planning, implementation and interpretation of clinical studies, including synopsis/protocol development, medical monitoring, data analysis and writing of final reports
• Maintain and build productive relationships with investigators, thought leaders and centers of excellence across the scientific community, as well as with colleagues across the Acadia organization
• Interact frequently with sites to support study awareness, patient recruitment, and quality of study conduct
• Communicate appropriate program issues and results to key internal and external stakeholders
• Support regulatory interactions, including the submission of regulatory documents and presentations
• Provide clear and insightful clinical and scientific expertise to advance the successful transition of compounds from discovery to full development, and subsequently to life cycle management
• Review business development opportunities, translating business needs to cost-effective development strategies that provide a competitive advantage and meet regulatory requirements
• Comply with current local and international regulations, laws, scientific and regulatory guidance, Good Clinical Practices, and Acadia’s policies and procedures

Education/Experience/Skills

• MD, MD-PhD, or equivalent medical degree required; Board Certified or Board Eligible in Psychiatry or Neurology
• Minimum 5+ years’ applicable industry across several phases of development is desired
• CNS clinical research experience is required, including demonstrable experience in successfully creating and implementing development plans and clinical studies; demonstrable experience in neurodegenerative and / or psychiatric disorders is preferred
• Established relationships with thought leaders and investigators in neurodegenerative and / or psychiatric disorders and other mood disorders
• Demonstrated ability to work well within a geographically diverse team structure
• Ability to work within a growing organization within the U.S. and to help the organization evolve over time into the world leader in psychiatry and neurology, thereby improving the quality of life of those suffering from central nervous system disorders
• Ability to engage in an open, constructive and continuous dialogue with the Company’s stakeholders based on equality and mutual respect; transparency is critical and a key element to success
• Effective oral and written communication skills
• Highly motivated, self-driven and dependable
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require

Physical Requirements

This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and the use of hands for handling or operating equipment. The employee may also need to reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and maintain visual, verbal, and auditory communication in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. This position requires the ability to travel independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedules or business needs.

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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

$306,100—$382,600 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 us.fitly.work or View phone number on us.fitly.work.

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.

California Applicants: Please see Additional Information for California Residents within our Privacy Policy.

Canadian Applicants: Please see Additional Information for Canadian Residents within our Privacy Policy.

Applicants in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia: Please see Additional Information for Individuals in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia within our Privacy Policy.

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.