Associate Director, Vendor & Relationship Management
Acadia Pharmaceuticals
August 21, 2026
Remote friendly (Princeton, NJ)
United States
Operations
Position Summary
The Associate Director, Vendor & Relationship Management shapes strategic partnerships with clinical vendors, CROs, and functional service providers to support Acadia’s clinical development programs.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and execute vendor/supplier relationship management strategies; manage critical partners (CROs, labs, functional service providers, clinical technologies, patient recruitment/retention vendors).
- Serve as primary point of contact for vendor operational issues; resolve and escalate via governance pathways.
- Facilitate vendor governance (operational/steering committee meetings).
- Create/maintain supplier scorecards, dashboards, and KPIs; run routine business reviews with vendors.
- Oversee outsourced clinical trial vendor performance (with Clinical Operations) to meet timelines, budgets, and quality expectations.
- Partner cross-functionally (Clinical Operations, Clinical Supply Chain, Quality, Finance) to ensure timely, compliant delivery.
- Support inspection readiness (audits, vendor oversight documentation, CAPA development).
- Drive process mapping and standardized vendor oversight practices.
- Identify opportunities for improvement, innovation, cost optimization, demand management, and better vendor utilization.
- Support vendor performance reporting/dashboards; analyze metrics; mentor stakeholders; influence in a matrix environment.
Education/Experience/Skills
- Bachelor’s in life science or related field (Advanced degree preferred); ~8 years in clinical trial operations, vendor/CRO oversight, or supplier relationship management.
- Experience managing complex vendors and performance improvement.
- Strong clinical trial operations knowledge and ICH GCP/regulatory/quality expectations.
- Analytical skills with KPIs/scorecards; experience with R&D outsourcing/governance.
- Exposure to budgeting/accruals; audits/inspection readiness; alliance/partnership management (familiarity).
- Excellent communication/organizational skills; ability to work in fast-paced matrixed settings; domestic/international travel.
Benefits (US-based employees)
- Competitive base, bonus, and equity; medical/dental/vision; 401(k) match; ESPP; 15+ vacation days; paid holidays and sick time; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.
Salary Range
- $145,400–$181,700 USD
The Associate Director, Vendor & Relationship Management shapes strategic partnerships with clinical vendors, CROs, and functional service providers to support Acadia’s clinical development programs.
Primary Responsibilities
- Develop and execute vendor/supplier relationship management strategies; manage critical partners (CROs, labs, functional service providers, clinical technologies, patient recruitment/retention vendors).
- Serve as primary point of contact for vendor operational issues; resolve and escalate via governance pathways.
- Facilitate vendor governance (operational/steering committee meetings).
- Create/maintain supplier scorecards, dashboards, and KPIs; run routine business reviews with vendors.
- Oversee outsourced clinical trial vendor performance (with Clinical Operations) to meet timelines, budgets, and quality expectations.
- Partner cross-functionally (Clinical Operations, Clinical Supply Chain, Quality, Finance) to ensure timely, compliant delivery.
- Support inspection readiness (audits, vendor oversight documentation, CAPA development).
- Drive process mapping and standardized vendor oversight practices.
- Identify opportunities for improvement, innovation, cost optimization, demand management, and better vendor utilization.
- Support vendor performance reporting/dashboards; analyze metrics; mentor stakeholders; influence in a matrix environment.
Education/Experience/Skills
- Bachelor’s in life science or related field (Advanced degree preferred); ~8 years in clinical trial operations, vendor/CRO oversight, or supplier relationship management.
- Experience managing complex vendors and performance improvement.
- Strong clinical trial operations knowledge and ICH GCP/regulatory/quality expectations.
- Analytical skills with KPIs/scorecards; experience with R&D outsourcing/governance.
- Exposure to budgeting/accruals; audits/inspection readiness; alliance/partnership management (familiarity).
- Excellent communication/organizational skills; ability to work in fast-paced matrixed settings; domestic/international travel.
Benefits (US-based employees)
- Competitive base, bonus, and equity; medical/dental/vision; 401(k) match; ESPP; 15+ vacation days; paid holidays and sick time; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.
Salary Range
- $145,400–$181,700 USD