Director, External Innovation R&D Program Lead

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, San Francisco, CA OR Princeton, NJ. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average. Position Summary: The Director, External Innovation will serve as the R&D project lead for external opportunity due diligence, coordinating cross-functional input and leading or co-leading the development of diligence workplans, including key questions, timelines, and risk assessments. This role will lead cross-functional scientific, clinical, and strategic evaluation of external opportunities aligned with Acadia’s corporate strategy and R&D portfolio priorities across neuroscience, psychiatry, neuro-rare, and rare disease areas. The Director will help build preliminary integrated development scenarios, resource assumptions, and value drivers to inform opportunity evaluation, investment decisions, and governance discussions. Primary Responsibilities: Serve as the R&D project lead for external opportunity due diligence, coordinating cross-functional input from Clinical and Nonclinical Development, Regulatory, CMC, Commercial, Finance, Legal, and other key stakeholdersLead or co-lead the development of diligence workplans, including key questions, timelines, risk assessments, decision frameworks, and preliminary integrated development scenarios, resource assumptions, and value drivers to inform investment decisionsBuild preliminary integrated development scenarios, resource assumptions, and value drivers to inform diligence and investment decisionsContribute to the development of integrated opportunity assessments that evaluate scientific rationale, clinical development strategy, unmet need, competitive differentiation, regulatory considerations, development risk, commercial potential, and strategic fitTranslate complex scientific, clinical, competitive, and financial information into clear recommendations for senior leadership and governance decision-makingPartner with Business Development to support in-licensing, acquisition, collaboration, and partnership evaluations, including preparation of internal business cases and transaction-related materialsProvide strategic input into therapeutic area and portfolio prioritization based on external landscape trends, emerging science, competitive activity, and internal capabilitiesBuild and maintain strong relationships with internal R&D, Commercial, Finance, Legal, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment throughout evaluation and diligence processesRepresent Acadia in external scientific, biotech, academic, and industry interactions as appropriate to support opportunity evaluation and external innovation effortsContribute to knowledge management, diligence best practices, evaluation templates, and consistent decision frameworks across external opportunitiesPerform other duties as assigned Education/Experience/Skills: Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline required; advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or Master’s) preferred10-12 years of industry experience in the pharma or biotech industryExperience in global R&D program management, portfolio strategy or project leadership for clinical-stage programs is requiredExperience leading cross-functional asset evaluations, scientific due diligence, portfolio assessments, and/or drug development strategy initiativesStrong scientific expertise with the ability to evaluate complex clinical and preclinical dataExperience in neuroscience and/or rare disease (neurologic/psychiatric and/or non‑neuro rare disease) preferredUnderstanding of drug development, commercialization considerations, and industry dynamicsAbility to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights for senior stakeholdersStrong cross‑functional collaboration and influencing skills in a matrixed environmentWorking knowledge of transaction processes, due diligence, and partnership structuresExperience developing strategic recommendations and governance materials for senior leadership and investment decision-makingExperience integrating scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and financial considerations into asset evaluations and portfolio recommendationsExperience supporting or leading external opportunity assessments, due diligence activities, and cross-functional evaluation teamsAbility to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast‑paced environmentAbility to travel domestically and internationally as required 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 both in a standard office environment and while working independently from remote locations. 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 schedule or business needs. 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 $196,000—$245,200 USD 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 $236,200—$295,300 USD What we offer US-based Employees: Competitive base, bonus, new hire and ongoing equity packagesMedical, dental, and vision insuranceEmployer-paid life, disability, business travel and EAP coverage401(k) Plan with a fully vested company match 1:1 up to 5%Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in15+ vacation days13 -15 paid holidays, including office closure between December 24th and January 1st10 days of paid sick timePaid parental leave benefitTuition 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 talentacquisition@acadia-pharm.com or 858-261-2923. 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.