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.

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 stakeholders
• Lead 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 decisions
• Build preliminary integrated development scenarios, resource assumptions, and value drivers to inform diligence and investment decisions
• Contribute 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 fit
• Translate complex scientific, clinical, competitive, and financial information into clear recommendations for senior leadership and governance decision-making
• Partner with Business Development to support in-licensing, acquisition, collaboration, and partnership evaluations, including preparation of internal business cases and transaction-related materials
• Provide strategic input into therapeutic area and portfolio prioritization based on external landscape trends, emerging science, competitive activity, and internal capabilities
• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal R&D, Commercial, Finance, Legal, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment throughout evaluation and diligence processes
• Represent Acadia in external scientific, biotech, academic, and industry interactions as appropriate to support opportunity evaluation and external innovation efforts
• Contribute to knowledge management, diligence best practices, evaluation templates, and consistent decision frameworks across external opportunities
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education/Experience/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline required; advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or Master’s) preferred
• 10–12 years of industry experience in the pharma or biotech industry
• Experience in global R&D program management, portfolio strategy or project leadership for clinical-stage programs is required
• Experience leading cross-functional asset evaluations, scientific due diligence, portfolio assessments, and/or drug development strategy initiatives
• Strong scientific expertise with the ability to evaluate complex clinical and preclinical data
• Experience in neuroscience and/or rare disease (neurologic/psychiatric and/or non‑neuro rare disease) preferred
• Understanding of drug development, commercialization considerations, and industry dynamics
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, actionable insights for senior stakeholders
• Strong cross‑functional collaboration and influencing skills in a matrixed environment
• Working knowledge of transaction processes, due diligence, and partnership structures
• Experience developing strategic recommendations and governance materials for senior leadership and investment decision-making
• Experience integrating scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial, and financial considerations into asset evaluations and portfolio recommendations
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and operate effectively in a fast‑paced environment
• Ability 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.

Pay

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
• Salary Range: $236,200—$295,300 USD

Benefits

• 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