Associate Director, Vendor & Relationship Management
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
August 21, 2026
Remote friendly (San Diego, CA)
United States
Corporate Functions
Position Summary
Associate Director, Vendor & Relationship Management (hybrid; office 3 days/week; based in Princeton, NJ or San Diego, CA).
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and execute vendor/supplier relationship management strategies; manage critical partners (CROs, labs, functional service providers, clinical technologies, patient recruitment/retention).
- Serve as primary point of contact for vendor operational issues; resolve and escalate via governance pathways.
- Facilitate vendor governance (operational/steering committee meetings).
- Build and maintain supplier scorecards, dashboards, and KPIs to monitor performance, risks, and trends.
- Run routine business reviews with vendors (partnering with Sourcing and Legal as needed).
- Oversee vendor performance for outsourced clinical trials with Clinical Operations; ensure alignment to timelines, budgets, and quality.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to support timely, compliant delivery of services.
- Support inspection readiness (audits, oversight documentation, CAPA with Quality).
- Map processes and implement standardized vendor oversight practices.
- Drive continuous improvement: performance, efficiency, collaboration, innovation, best practices/tools, and cost/demand optimization.
- Support vendor reporting/dashboards, analyze metrics, mentor stakeholders, influence cross-functionally.
Education/Experience/Skills (Required/Preferred)
- BS in life science/related field; advanced degree preferred. ~8 years in clinical trial operations, vendor/CRO oversight, or supplier relationship management (or equivalent).
- Strong clinical trial operations knowledge; working knowledge of ICH GCP, regulatory and quality expectations for outsourced activities.
- Analytical skills (scorecards/KPIs/dashboards); experience with R&D outsourcing/vendor governance; financial exposure (budgeting/accruals).
- Experience with audits/inspection readiness; familiarity with partnership management; excellent communication/organization.
- Travel domestically/internationally.
Benefits
- Competitive base + discretionary bonus and equity awards; medical/dental/vision; employer-paid life/disability/travel/EAP; 401(k) match; ESPP; 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; paid sick time; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.
(If applicable) Physical/Work Requirements
- Ability to work standard office and independently from remote locations; occasional lifting/moving up to 20 lbs; travel overnight and/or work after hours as needed.
Associate Director, Vendor & Relationship Management (hybrid; office 3 days/week; based in Princeton, NJ or San Diego, CA).
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and execute vendor/supplier relationship management strategies; manage critical partners (CROs, labs, functional service providers, clinical technologies, patient recruitment/retention).
- Serve as primary point of contact for vendor operational issues; resolve and escalate via governance pathways.
- Facilitate vendor governance (operational/steering committee meetings).
- Build and maintain supplier scorecards, dashboards, and KPIs to monitor performance, risks, and trends.
- Run routine business reviews with vendors (partnering with Sourcing and Legal as needed).
- Oversee vendor performance for outsourced clinical trials with Clinical Operations; ensure alignment to timelines, budgets, and quality.
- Partner with cross-functional teams to support timely, compliant delivery of services.
- Support inspection readiness (audits, oversight documentation, CAPA with Quality).
- Map processes and implement standardized vendor oversight practices.
- Drive continuous improvement: performance, efficiency, collaboration, innovation, best practices/tools, and cost/demand optimization.
- Support vendor reporting/dashboards, analyze metrics, mentor stakeholders, influence cross-functionally.
Education/Experience/Skills (Required/Preferred)
- BS in life science/related field; advanced degree preferred. ~8 years in clinical trial operations, vendor/CRO oversight, or supplier relationship management (or equivalent).
- Strong clinical trial operations knowledge; working knowledge of ICH GCP, regulatory and quality expectations for outsourced activities.
- Analytical skills (scorecards/KPIs/dashboards); experience with R&D outsourcing/vendor governance; financial exposure (budgeting/accruals).
- Experience with audits/inspection readiness; familiarity with partnership management; excellent communication/organization.
- Travel domestically/internationally.
Benefits
- Competitive base + discretionary bonus and equity awards; medical/dental/vision; employer-paid life/disability/travel/EAP; 401(k) match; ESPP; 15+ vacation days; 13–15 paid holidays; paid sick time; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.
(If applicable) Physical/Work Requirements
- Ability to work standard office and independently from remote locations; occasional lifting/moving up to 20 lbs; travel overnight and/or work after hours as needed.