Executive Neuroscience Sales Specialist - South Phoenix, AZ

Acadia Pharmaceuticals; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 124,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Equity awards

Job summary

Acadia Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Executive Neuroscience Sales Specialist to drive education and access support for healthcare professionals in the Phoenix region. You will build trusted relationships, share compliant clinical and reimbursement information, and execute territory plans to meet sales goals.

Applicants should have extensive neuroscience product knowledge, payer acumen, and the ability to travel up to 80%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, with emphasis in life sciences preferred.
• 3 years sales experience with at least 1 year in pharmaceutical/healthcare sales; neuroscience preferred.
• 8 years healthcare sales for Sr. Specialist, with 2+ years in complex/account-based selling; 12 years for Executive level.

Responsibilities

• Promote Acadia products to HCPs in person and virtually with compliant information.
• Develop and execute a territory business plan to meet sales objectives.
• Establish strong relationships with HCPs, KOLs, and advocacy groups.
• Address questions and objections using advanced dialogue and selling skills.
• Tailor sales tools and resources to customer needs.
• Collaborate with internal teams to deliver coordinated solutions.
• Provide guidance on pricing, reimbursement, and distribution for access.
• Track sales activities and expenses; report regularly.
• Represent Acadia at conferences and trainings; travel as required.
• Mentor new sales specialists and contribute to cross-functional projects.

Skills

Neuroscience knowledge

Payer dynamics

Relationship building

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Life sciences preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Virtual engagement platforms

Job description

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.

Seeking talent near:

Phoenix, AZ; Gilbert, AZ; Chandler, AZ; Casa Grande, AZ; Laveen, AZ; Tempe, AZ

Position Summary

Join Acadia as an Executive Neuroscience Sales Specialist and play a key role in improving patient outcomes by delivering meaningful education and support to healthcare professionals across your territory. In this field-based role, you will build trusted customer relationships, provide compliant clinical and access-related information, and drive product awareness through strategic territory management. Leveraging your knowledge of neuroscience, payer dynamics, and the local healthcare landscape, you will develop impactful customer partnerships and execute business plans that achieve sales objectives. This is an exciting opportunity to combine scientific expertise, business acumen, and customer engagement to make a meaningful impact on patients and providers.

Primary Responsibilities

• Promote Acadia products to HCPs in person and virtually, providing clinical, disease state, and reimbursement information in a compliant and customer-focused manner
• Develop and execute a territory business plan to meet or exceed sales objectives, leveraging market data, customer insights, and quarterly action plans
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with HCPs, including key opinion leaders, advocacy organizations, and other healthcare stakeholders
• Address customer questions, concerns, and objections using advanced dialogue and selling skills
• Tailor approved sales aids, clinical reprints, and brand resources to meet specific customer needs
• Partner with internal colleagues (e.g., managed markets, operations, sales training, marketing) to deliver coordinated solutions
• Provide guidance on product pricing, reimbursement, and specialty distribution channels, acting as a liaison between customers and the Company for access-related issues
• Accurately track and report sales activities, business expenses, and customer interactions in a timely manner
• Represent Acadia at conferences, exhibits, and trainings; participate in national, regional, and local meetings as required
• Mentor and train new sales specialists as needed, and contribute to cross-functional projects and field strategic insights

Knowledge & Expertise

• Deep understanding of neuroscience disease states, Acadia products, and local/regional market dynamics
• Ability to serve as a trusted resource in the medical community
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and virtual engagement platforms (e.g., Zoom, WebEx)
• Strong grasp of payer dynamics, including Part D and specialty pharmacy/hub distribution

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required, with an emphasis in the life sciences preferred
• Experience:
  • To qualify for Sales Specialist requires 3 years of sales experience with at least 1 year in pharmaceutical, and/or other related healthcare sales, with an emphasis on neuroscience preferred
  • To qualify for Sr. Specialist level, requires a minimum of 8 years of healthcare sales with at least 2 years of experience in complex or account-based selling environments is required
  • To qualify for Executive level, requires a minimum of 12 years of healthcare sales with at least 3 years of experience in complex or account-based selling environments is required
• Demonstrated advanced selling skills, leadership abilities, and business acumen
• Proven success in influencing diverse HCP audiences across multiple care settings
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills
• Ability to work independently, adapt to change, and deliver consistently high results
• Must reside within the territory (or within 30 miles of its border) and possess a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record
• Ability to meet travel requirements, including significant driving and overnight stays; air travel as needed
• Must comply with vaccination requirements for HCP office access, long-term care facilities, and medical conferences

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.

Must reside within the territory (or within 30 miles of its border) and, depending on territory needs, within reasonable proximity to a major airport. Requires eligibility to drive a company vehicle and ability to travel independently by air. Travel may be up to 80% of the time, including occasional after-hours work based on business needs.

Position levels:

• Sales Specialist: $115,000.00-requires 1-2 years of sales experience with at least 1 year in pharmaceutical, and/or other related healthcare sales, with an emphasis on neuroscience preferred.
• Sr. Sales Specialist: $135,000.00- requires a minimum of 5 years of healthcare sales with at least 2 years of experience in complex or account-based selling environments is required.
• Executive Sales Specialist: $155,000.00- requires a minimum of 12 years of healthcare sales with at least 3 years of experience in complex or account-based selling environments is required.

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

$124,000—$155,000 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.

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.

California Applicants:

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Canadian Applicants:

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Applicants in the European Economic Area, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Serbia:

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