Associate Director Toxicology

Position can be based in San Diego, CA OR San Francisco, CA OR Princeton, NJ. Acadia’s hybrid model requires the role to work in our office an average of three days per week. Position Summary The Associate Director will oversee translational science preclinical safety assessment/toxicology deliverables, contributing to the research and/or development of the products, projects, and programs in support of the pipeline. The role collaborates cross‑functionally to conduct basic research and development, including designing and overseeing preclinical safety and toxicology studies. The role ensures timely communication of project status and issues to drive alignment and successful completion of team goals and deliverables. Primary Responsibilities Plan experimental safety assessment/toxicology programs, including design, logistics, resource allocation, and schedules. Provide oversight on scientific management of preclinical safety assessment/toxicology studies supporting early drug development spanning lead optimization through IND and NDA submissions and non‑clinical post‑marketing approval requirements. Monitor CROs for quality and compliance in the conduct of preclinical safety assessment/toxicology studies. Manage vendors and consultants, encompassing study design, detailed coordination of study execution, overview of quality compliance, and scientific rigor. Review and contribute to the preparation of toxicology reports. Maintain oversight of test compound delivery, shipment, and supply requirements. Work cross‑functionally on projects, including organizing ad‑hoc working groups as needed to move project activities forward. Communicate project status and proactively identify issues to ensure that project team goals and regulatory deliverables are met. Provide guidance to team members to objectively assess and resolve preclinical safety assessment/toxicology project issues to improve project effectiveness. Other duties as assigned. Education / Experience / Skills BS or MS in a relevant discipline or related field. Targeting 8 years of relevant experience in pre‑clinical safety assessment/toxicology supporting drug development within the pharmaceutical or biotech industry. Key Skills: Understanding of the drug development process and the principles, concepts, practices, and standards of executing preclinical safety assessment/toxicology strategies. Knowledge of the tools and procedures of preclinical safety assessment/toxicology experimentation, including experimental designs, statistical tools of data analyses, data manipulation software, instrumentation pertinent to research, and ability to evaluate each in terms of applicability. Knowledge of preclinical study types necessary during drug development, including acute and chronic toxicology, safety pharmacology, developmental and reproductive toxicology, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Experience working in cross‑functional project teams and in a semi‑virtual environment including CROs and academic collaborations. Study monitoring experience on Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) safety assessment/toxicology studies at CROs. Experience in composition and review of preclinical safety assessment/toxicology reports with respect to accuracy, quality and compliance. Knowledge and understanding of GLP, ICH, and FDA guidance, and other relevant regulations and guidelines. Demonstrated skills in influencing, facilitation, development, and problem solving; ability to elicit cooperation and be influential, encouraging, and motivating. Excellent communication, presentation, consultative, partnership, and interpersonal skills; self‑motivated and able to work with limited supervision. Ability to learn, understand and apply new technologies, strategies and approaches that enhance the team’s ability to achieve goals and meet timelines/deliverables. Willingness to travel as needed. Physical Requirements This role involves regular standing, walking, sitting, and 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. Compensation Salary Range: $155,000 – $193,200 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. The accommodations related to the recruiting process are not guaranteed to be the same as those if hired. A new request will need to be submitted for any ADA accommodations after starting employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc.