Senior Director, Global Program Lead, External Innovation & Due Diligence

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/program lead for external opportunity due diligence, with a particular focus on clinical-stage assets and drug development programs. The role will lead cross-functional clinical, scientific, and strategic evaluation of opportunities aligned with Acadia’s corporate strategy and R&D portfolio across neuroscience, psychiatry, neuro-rare, and rare disease.

The Director will support the development of preliminary integrated development scenarios, resource assumptions, and value drivers to inform opportunity evaluation, investment decisions, and governance discussions. As a strategic integrator across Business Development, Clinical and Nonclinical Development, Regulatory, CMC, Commercial, Finance, Legal, and other functions, the Director will synthesize complex scientific, clinical, competitive, and financial information into clear recommendations and executive-ready decision materials to support external asset evaluation, due diligence, and potential transaction execution.

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 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

Apply clinical development and asset leadership expertise to identify key diligence questions, development risks, opportunities, and assumptions associated with external assets

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 (clinical-stage assets), portfolio strategy or project leadership is required

Experience with clinical-stage assets 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

Experience supporting or leading external opportunity assessments, due diligence activities, and cross-functional evaluation teams

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.

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 for Director level

$196,000 — $245,200 USD

#LI-HYBRID #LI-MS1

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 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 f