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Senior Director/Executive Director, Clinical Development

Acadiapharmaceuticals · Princeton, New Jersey, United States; San Diego, California, United States; South San Francisco, California, United States · 2026-10-19

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About this role

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

This is an exciting opportunity to play a meaningful role in advancing Acadia's clinical development programs for neuropsychiatric disorders and rare diseases. The Senior Director/Executive Director, Clinical Development will be a highly qualified and motivated individual who will have a supporting leadership role in the development of these programs. This person will bring extensive clinical and scientific knowledge, a strong network within the medical community, and successful experience leading clinical programs.

Primary Responsibilities

• Create and execute global clinical development plans consistent with Company vision and mission.

• Ensure the optimal planning, implementation and interpretation of clinical studies, including synopsis/protocol development, medical monitoring, data analysis and writing of final reports.

• Maintain and build productive relationships with investigators, thought leaders and centers of excellence across the scientific community, as well as with colleagues across the Acadia organization.

• Interact frequently with sites to support study awareness, patient recruitment, and quality of study conduct.

• Communicate appropriate program issues and results to key internal and external stakeholders.

• Support regulatory interactions, including the submission of regulatory documents and presentations.

• Provide clear and insightful clinical and scientific expertise to advance the successful transition of compounds from discovery to full development, and subsequently to life cycle management.

• Review business development opportunities, translating business needs to cost-effective development strategies that provide a competitive advantage and meet regulatory requirements.

• Comply with current local and international regulations, laws, scientific and regulatory guidance, Good Clinical Practices, and Acadia’s policies and procedures.

• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• MD or PhD required; Board Certified/Eligible strongly preferred. An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.

•
Targeting 5+ years (Senior Director) or 10+ years (Executive Director) of relevant medical/clinical practice, related research, or academic experience within the pharmaceutical industry. Level will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications and experience.

• Ideal candidate will have experience with medical monitoring, including clinical research, creating and implementing development plans and clinical studies.

• Applicable industry experience across several phases of development is strongly desired.

• Established relationships with thought leaders and investigators in depression and other mood disorders.

• Experience in rare disease and/or neurology strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated leadership to work well within a geographically diverse cross-functional team environment.

• Ability to work within a growing organization within and evolve over time into the world leader in psychiatry and neurology, thereby improving the quality of life of those suffering from CNS disorders.

• Experience interacting with senior leaders, including global regulatory agencies.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as interpersonal, management, and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated problem solving abilities and conflict resolution skills.

• Ability to engage in an open, constructive and continuous dialogue with the Company’s stakeholders.

• Highly motivated, self-driven and dependable.

• Willing and able to travel both domestically and internationally.

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 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.

Salary Range

Senior Director, Clinical Development: $306,100—$382,600 USD

Executive Director, Clinical Development: $333,000—$416,400 USD

#LI-HYBRID #LI-RE—
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

•…

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