Director, External Innovation R&D Program Lead

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Princeton (NJ); Hybrid; USD 196,000 - 295,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) Plan with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

15+ vacation days

13-15 paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. is seeking a Director, External Innovation to lead R&D due diligence for external opportunities, coordinating input fromClinical, Regulatory, and Functional teams, and shaping diligence workplans and decision frameworks.

The role focuses on evaluating neuroscience, psychiatry, neuro-rare and rare disease opportunities, building development scenarios, and guiding investment decisions with senior leadership. Hybrid model with office presence required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline required; advanced degree preferred.
• 10-12 years of industry pharma/biotech experience.
• Experience in global R&D program management or project leadership for clinical-stage programs is required.
• Experience leading cross-functional asset evaluations, scientific due diligence, portfolio assessments, and/or drug development strategy initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the R&D project lead for external opportunity due diligence, coordinating inputs from Clinical and Nonclinical Development, Regulatory, CMC, Commercial, Finance, Legal, and other stakeholders.
• Lead or co-lead the development of diligence workplans, including key questions, timelines, risk assessments, decision frameworks, and preliminary integrated development scenarios.
• Build preliminary integrated development scenarios, resource assumptions, and value drivers to inform diligence and investment decisions.
• Contribute to integrated opportunity assessments evaluating scientific rationale, clinical development strategy, unmet need, differentiation, regulatory considerations, and risk.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Influencing skills

Strategic thinking

Communication

Travel ability

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline

Advanced degree (PhD, PharmD, MD, or Master’s) preferred

Job description

Please note that this position can be based in San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CAOR Princeton, NJ. Acadia'shybrid modelrequires this role to work in our office three days per week on average.

Position Summary:

The Director, External Innovationwill serve as the R&D project lead for external opportunity due diligence, coordinating cross-functional input and leading or co-leading the development of diligence workplans, including key questions, timelines, and risk assessments.

This role will lead cross-functional scientific, clinical, and strategic evaluation of external opportunities aligned with Acadia’s corporate strategy and R&D portfolio priorities across neuroscience, psychiatry, neuro-rare, and rare disease areas. The Director will help build preliminary integrated development scenarios, resource assumptions, and value drivers to inform opportunity evaluation, investment decisions, and governance discussions.

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
• 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, portfolio strategy or project leadership for clinical-stage programs 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.

Salary Range

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.

$196,000—$245,200 USD

Salary Range

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.

$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 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.

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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.