Executive Director, Tax

ACADIA Pharmaceuticals Inc.; Princeton (NJ); On-site; USD 267,000 - 334,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base and bonus potential

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) Plan with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. seeks an experienced tax leader to oversee its global tax function, including corporate income, indirect, property tax, tax accounting, transfer pricing, and planning initiatives.

This role partners with executives, finance, and external advisors to optimize tax strategies, ensure compliance, and drive growth. You will lead a high-performing team, drive process improvements, and maximize tax-saving opportunities across markets, while mentoring staff and managing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA designation or Master's degree in Taxation required.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive corporate tax, accounting, or finance experience.
• Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in senior-level finance or tax roles with direct people management responsibilities.
• Strong understanding of federal, international, and multi-state corporate income taxation and complex tax issues.
• Knowledge of finance, accounting and control principles including GAAP and SOX.
• Advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Proficiency in creating and communicating a clear vision among team members.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee global tax function including planning, compliance, and strategy.
• Lead quarterly and annual tax accounting and ASC 740-10 processes.
• Oversee global tax returns, transfer pricing, and intercompany documentation.
• Support international expansion and tax-efficient structures.
• Lead R&D tax credit strategy and advise on incentives.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing tax organization.
• Manage external advisors, audits, and service providers.
• Ensure SOX 404 documentation reflects best practices.
• Collaborate with finance to provide tax forecasts and long-range planning.
• Assist in due diligence for business development activities.

Skills

Tax leadership

Strategic planning

Financial analysis

GAAP & SOX

Excel & PowerPoint

Intercompany & transfer pricing

People leadership

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

CPA designation

Master's in Taxation

Tools

Tax provisioning software

ERP systems

Job description

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced tax leader to oversee the Company's global tax function, including corporate income tax, indirect tax, property tax, tax accounting, compliance, transfer pricing, and tax planning initiatives. This role will partner closely with executive leadership, Finance, and external advisors to optimize tax strategies, ensure compliance, mitigate risk, and support business growth. The successful candidate will lead a high-performing team while driving process improvements and maximizing tax-saving opportunities globally.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop and execute federal, state, and global tax planning strategies based on company goals and objectives to minimize the Company’s effective tax rate.
• Lead the quarterly and annual tax accounting function including overseeing the preparation of quarterly tax provisions including application of ASC 740-10 (FIN 48), tax‑related account reconciliations, return-to-provision, and tax footnote disclosures for 10K/10Q filings.
• Oversee the preparation, review, and timely and accurate submission of global tax returns including all US federal and state corporate income tax returns reports, and payments.
• Direct the Company’s global transfer pricing strategy, including intercompany pricing policies, annual documentation, and compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Support international expansion initiatives, legal entity formation, and tax‑efficient operating structures across global markets.
• Lead the Company’s global research and development tax credit strategy, including identification, documentation, calculation, and defense of federal, state, and international R&D incentives, while partnering with Finance, R&D, and external advisors to maximize available tax benefits and ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional finance colleagues to lead effective reporting and financial planning.
• Develop tax forecasts to allow for tax planning and long‑range projections of effective tax rates.
• Monitor U.S. and relevant global tax law changes and resulting impact to the Company.
• Develop and maintain calculations and methodology to ensure accurate intercompany transactions and related contracts.
• Lead mentor, and develop a high‑performing tax organization, fostering talent development, succession planning, and continuous process improvement.
• Manage relationships with external tax advisors, auditors, consultants, and service providers to ensure high‑quality support and efficient resource utilization.
• Assist in due diligence for business development activities advising tax related matters.
• Manage indirect tax compliance including VAT, GST, sales and use tax, and other international reporting obligations.
• Oversee preparation of personal property tax returns.
• Effectively manage all tax audits.
• Ensure SOX 404 documentation reflects best practices and procedures for tax processes.
• Works with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to achieve department, company and personal goals.

Education/Experience/Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• CPA designation or Master's degree in Taxation required
• Minimum 15 years of progressive corporate tax, accounting, or finance experience
• Minimum 10 years of leadership experience in senior‑level finance or tax roles with direct people management responsibilities
• Strong understanding of federal, international, and multi‑state corporate income taxation and complex tax issues
• Knowledge of finance, accounting and control principles including GAAP and SOX
• Motivation as a self‑starter, ability to show initiative/independence and drive to make important business contributions.
• Advanced skills in Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong expertise in tax provision software and ERP systems.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent judgment, gain results and be goal oriented.
• Highly collaborative and perceptive and shows prudent analysis in problem solving.
• Demonstrated skill at negotiating with business partners or management and influencing senior level leaders regarding matters of significance to the organization.
• Proficiency at creating and communicating a clear vision among team members effectively aligning resources and activities to achieve functional area and/or organizational goals.

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 and independently from remote locations. Employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Ability to travel by car or airplane independently up to 25% of the time and work after hours.

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: $267,000—$333,500 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.

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 [e-mail] 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.

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