Please note Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.
Position Summary:
The Associate Director, Talent Acquisition is a key leadership role within the Talent Acquisition (TA) organization, responsible for developing and executing innovative, data-driven strategies to attract, engage, and hire top global commercial talent across Acadia. Reporting directly to the Head of Talent Acquisition, this leader serves as a trusted thought partner and strategic advisor, helping shape the direction, technology, and capabilities of the global TA function.
Recruiting Leadership Responsibilities:
- Serve as a trusted thought partner to the Head of Talent Acquisition to define and execute a long-term vision and strategy for Commercial Recruiting that aligns with business priorities and TA’s overall roadmap.
- Partner closely with senior commercial, regional, and HR leaders to anticipate workforce needs, build scalable recruiting plans, and ensure hiring strategies align with Acadia’s growth and launch objectives.
- Provide consultative support to business leaders using market insights, data, and trends to influence hiring decisions.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the Commercial Recruiting team—including direct oversight of Acadia’s global recruiter supporting Europe and Canada
- Use data-driven insights to inform resource planning, capacity management, and vendor optimization.
- Serve as a project leader for enterprise-wide TA initiatives, driving the successful planning, execution, and delivery of projects that strengthen Acadia’s recruiting effectiveness and scalability.
- Leverage the ATS and data analytics to measure performance, drive continuous improvement, and deliver actionable insights.
- Source and manage external resources and vendors (RPO, staffing suppliers, etc.) to supplement networking and sourcing.
- Partner closely with the DEI and People & Performance teams to integrate inclusive hiring practices and achieve company-wide DEI objectives.
- Oversee all aspects of commercial and global recruiting, ensuring timely, high-quality, and compliant hiring outcomes across multiple geographies and functions.
- Partner with hiring leaders to design tailored sourcing, assessment, and selection strategies for critical and specialized roles.
- Identify, evaluate, and implement emerging recruiting technologies, tools, and automation solutions that enhance efficiency, data visibility, and experience for candidates and hiring managers.
Education/Experience/Skills:
An equivalent combination of relevant education and applicable job experience may be considered. Minimum 8 years of progressive responsibility in talent acquisition with a minimum of 4 years leading or managing recruiting teams.
Must Possess:
- Pharma/biotech experience preferred; experience recruiting for Field Sales roles and sales expansion/launch planning experience highly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to design and execute innovative, data-driven recruiting strategies in a competitive talent market.
- Experience working with Greenhouse ATS and LinkedIn Recruiter; familiarity with LinkedIn Talent Insights or similar market intelligence tools highly preferred.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and influence skills; able to build credibility across all levels of the organization.
- Experience introducing new TA technologies or process innovations within a high-growth organization.
Scope:
The Assoc. Director, Talent Acquisition is a strategic and operational leader who plays a vital role in shaping Acadia’s talent landscape. Through strong partnerships, innovative practices, and data-driven decision-making, this leader will ensure the Commercial organization is equipped with the talent needed to drive growth, deliver for patients, and achieve Acadia’s strategic objectives.
Physical Requirements:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, see, talk or hear in a standard office environment. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.
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.
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.