Director Drug Safety & Pharmacovigilance Medical Safety

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. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.

Position Summary

The Director of Drug Safety & Pharmacovigilance is a medical safety expert within the Drug Safety & Pharmacovigilance (PV) function, reporting to the Executive Director of Medical Safety. This role serves as the primary medical safety resource for assigned products across the Acadia portfolio, providing hands-on medical evaluation of safety data, signal detection and assessment, and clinical oversight of pharmacovigilance activities throughout the product lifecycle. The Director contributes product-level medical input to cross-functional safety governance, collaborates with the Executive Director of Medical Safety on complex or escalated safety issues, and supports regulatory submissions and health authority interactions for assigned products.


Primary Responsibilities

• Serves as the primary medical safety resource for assigned Acadia products, providing product-level clinical safety and pharmacovigilance expertise across all stages of development and post-marketing surveillance
• Performs medical evaluation and interpretation of aggregate safety data for assigned products, including signal detection and evaluation, ad hoc safety assessments, and benefit-risk analyses; escalates complex or novel safety issues appropriately
• Assesses safety signals and trends for assigned products and proactively manages potential safety issues in collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders
• Contributes product-level medical input to the Medical Safety team and other cross-functional safety governance bodies
• Performs medical review of all serious adverse events from Acadia clinical trials for assigned products
• Performs retrospective medical review of adverse events for post-marketed products
• Authors Analysis of Similar Events (AOSE) and individual case narratives and comments for ICSRs for assigned products
• Provides oversight for the safety aspects of clinical studies for assigned products, including development and maintenance of product-specific core safety information
• Reviews and approves safety sections of clinical documents for assigned products, including protocols, DSURs, final study reports, and other documents as required
• Formulates response strategies and authors health authority responses for safety-related queries pertaining to assigned products, in collaboration with the Head of Medical Safety
• Provides medical input into Periodic Benefit Risk Evaluation Reports (PBRERs) for assigned products, including clinical interpretation of safety data
• Provides medical and scientific input into Risk Management Plans (RMPs/dRMPs) and REMS programs for assigned products
• Ensures all PV Medical Safety activities for assigned products are performed in compliance with applicable regulations and Acadia standards
• Maintains current knowledge of global regulatory authority regulations and guidance
• Other responsibilities as assigned

Education/Experience/Skills

• MD (Doctor of Medicine) or equivalent medical degree from an accredited institution, with relevant postgraduate clinical training and experience; candidates who are eligible for U.S. medical board certification are preferred. MPH or pharmacoepidemiology training is a plus.
• 6 to 7 years of relevant drug safety experience, including expertise in safety signal management (signal detection, evaluation, aggregate data review, ICSRs), preferably in a pharmaceutical or biotech environment.
• Neurology, psychiatry, rare disease, or CNS-related therapeutic area experience strongly preferred
• Advanced knowledge of FDA, EU, and ICH regulations and guidelines related to pharmacovigilance, including clinical trial safety monitoring, post-marketing surveillance, ICSR processing, aggregate reporting, and health authority reporting requirements
• Ability to assess product benefit-risk profiles and interpret clinical and post-market safety data
• Demonstrated expertise in safety signal detection methodologies and medical evaluation of aggregate safety databases
• Ability to author and critically review regulatory safety documents (DSURs, PBRER safety sections, health authority responses)
• Strong analytical and critical decision-making skills; ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines with minimal oversight
• Experience with pharmacovigilance safety databases (Argus) and signal detection tools
• Familiarity with pharmacoepidemiology concepts and study design
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills; ability to effectively communicate complex safety findings to internal and external stakeholders
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel)
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment
• Must be willing and able to travel both domestically and internationally

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

$221,000-$275,700 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.