Please note that this position can be based in Princeton, NJ or San Diego, CA. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.
Position Summary:
The Senior Director contributes to innovation at Acadia by developing and managing strategic collaborations, ensuring that Acadia has access to a pipeline of new pharmaceutical targets, pipeline assets, translational capabilities, and technologies, supporting the execution of our business strategy. The Senior Director will establish and oversee partnership and integration management to secure consistent internal and external communication, coordination of alliance activities and tracking milestones and deliverables. The Senior Director provides strong oversight, enabling and monitoring the full range of alliance management activities. They are consulted and actively involved in deal negotiations, steer complex governance structures, and are responsible for a diverse and complex portfolio of alliances. The Senior Director shows strong communication skills, contextual understanding, has the ability to influence across matrix and cross-culturally, and shows strong contractual understanding. Collaborates and influences functional leads and other key internal stakeholders on operational and strategic priorities to promote collaboration and creativity to achieve alliance goals. Monitors and influences internal operations to minimize potential risks and maximize partner satisfaction.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Senior Director will have global responsibility of alliances, collaborating closely with stakeholders across Acadia. The Senior Director will report to the SVP, Chief Business Officer, and operate independently with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the Acadia organization to drive alliance success.
Essential Functions
- Manage significant portfolio of alliances towards agreed milestones and outcomes
- Develop, suggest, and champion new alliances in alignment with strategy
- In collaboration with relevant cross-functional. colleagues ensure alignment between collaborations and portfolio management processes, to ensure maximal portfolio impact
- In collaboration with Finance and Business support functions, ensure budget and resource allocation processes
- Ensure successful planning and execution of alliances reviews
- In collaboration with relevant colleagues ensure that all relevant contracts relating to the alliances are successfully managed and cross-functional colleagues operate in full compliance
- Play a leadership role in contract amendment negotiations and ‘repeat business’ with existing partners
- Maintain a close dialogue with key stakeholders at relevant universities and biotech companies
- Represent Acadia in various external organizations, and steering committees relating to university, biotech and pharma collaborations
Education/Experience/skills:
- Ph.D. or MD required within medicine, science, pharmacy or similar
- 10+ years’ experience in alliance/partnership management from the pharmaceutical or biotech industry with a proven track record in collaborating across organizations and cultures. Skilled in conducting productive meetings and collaboration
- Knowledge of and prior experience in multiple functions within pharma or biotech industry
- Excellent intercultural awareness and diplomacy skills
- Strong networking and communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- High personal integrity and impeccable values and behaviors so as to be an Ambassador for Acadia as Partner of Choice
- Knowledge and experience of managing projects along the value chain and managing upwards
- Fully fluent in English (written and spoken)
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 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 20% independently overnight and/or work after hours as required by travel schedules 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.
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.