Seeking talent near: San Diego, CA; Los Angeles, CA; Phoenix, AZ
Position Summary
The Area Director, Neuroscience Sales is responsible for leading Acadia’s Neuroscience sales organization within their assigned region of the United States. This role oversees the Regional Sales Managers and Sales Specialists within their region, managing performance, budgets, and execution of sales strategies in alignment with corporate objectives. The Area Director fosters a customer-focused culture, develops high-performing teams, and collaborates closely with cross-functional partners to drive sustainable growth.
The Area Director will develop and implement sales plans to accelerate the growth of in-line products, support new product launches, and optimize field execution in their region. This role requires a strong understanding of the evolving marketplace and the ability to anticipate customer needs while maintaining compliance with company policies and values.
Primary Responsibilities
- Lead recruitment, development, coaching, and retention of high-performing Regional Sales Managers and Sales Specialists within assigned region (West or East).
- Partner with Marketing, Market Access, and other commercial functions to ensure coordinated execution and differentiated customer engagement within the region.
- Provide regional performance insights to senior leadership based on market analysis, competitive intelligence, and field feedback.
- Monitor sales performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and implement corrective actions to meet regional goals.
- Manage Regional Sales Manager performance, offering recognition, feedback, and targeted development plans to promote accountability and excellence.
- Maintain direct engagement with sales representatives, key customers, and stakeholders within the region to ensure alignment with strategy.
- Oversee regional budget, tracking results and adjusting plans to achieve sales targets.
- Ensure regional compliance with all company policies, legal guidelines, and regulatory requirements.
- Support governance and communication processes that align the region with Acadia’s mission, vision, and values.
- Meet or exceed regional sales forecasts and KPIs, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Education / Experience / Skills
- Bachelor’s degree required-life science, business, or a related field preferred.
- 12+ years of experience in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry, with a mix of commercial and cross-functional roles (sales, marketing, market access, training, operations, or patient support).
- 8+ years of leadership experience, including at least 1 year in second-line leadership (leading first-line managers) demonstrating the ability to lead specialty-focused teams; experience with limited distribution networks preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to deliver sales results and develop sales leaders.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build lasting relationships internally and externally.
- Solid business acumen with the ability to identify future opportunities and evolving customer needs.
- Skilled in negotiation, influencing, and change management.
- Ability to create and communicate a clear vision, aligning resources to achieve goals.
- Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
- Travel up to 80% of the time (depending on territory geography) and work after hours if required by travel schedule or business issues. May also be required to live within a reasonable distance to a major airport.
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.
#elev8 #LI-REMOTE
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.
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 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.
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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.