Senior Director, Clinical Development
ACADIA PHARMACEUTICALS INC · San Diego, CA
📍 Princeton, New Jersey, United States; San Diego, California, United States; South San Francisco, California, United States💰 $306,100via greenhousePosted 2026-07-24
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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; Princeton, NJ; San Francisco, CA. Acadia's hybrid model requires this role to work in our office an average of 3 days per week.
Position Summary
Join Acadia as a Senior Director, Clinical Development and play a key leadership role in advancing innovative therapies for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. In this position, you will provide scientific and medical leadership across clinical development programs, guiding strategy, study execution, and regulatory interactions. You will partner with investigators, key opinion leaders, and cross-functional teams to drive the successful development of innovative CNS therapies. This is an exciting opportunity to influence programs from development through lifecycle management while helping address significant unmet patient needs.
Primary Responsibilities
Create and execute global clinical development plans consistent with the Company’s strategic 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
Education/Experience/Skills
MD, MD-PhD, or equivalent medical degree required; Board Certified or Board Eligible in Psychiatry or Neurology
Minimum 5+ years’ applicable industry across several phases of development is desired
CNS clinical research experience is required, including demonstrable experience in successfully creating and implementing development plans and clinical studies; demonstrable experience in neurodegenerative and / or psychiatric disorders is preferred
Established relationships with thought leaders and investigators in neurodegenerative and / or psychiatric disorders and other mood disorders
Demonstrated ability to work well within a geographically diverse team structure
Ability to work within a growing organization within the U.S. and to help the organization evolve over time into the world leader in psychiatry and neurology, thereby improving the quality of life of those suffering from central nervous system disorders
Ability to engage in an open, constructive and continuous dialogue with the Company’s stakeholders based on equality and mutual respect; transparency is critical and a key element to success
Effective oral and written communication skills
Highly motivated, self-driven and dependable
Ability to travel domestically and internationally as business needs require
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.
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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 $306,100 — $382,600 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
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